Urban communities and homicide: Why American blacks resort to murder

Abstract

To examine the relationship between community and homicide, a series of societal indicators in 64 of the largest American cities were contrasted with homicide rates. Data show that there is a strong correlation between race and murder. One explanation of these findings is due in part to the inequities of law enforcement and in part to a lack of understanding by both the law enforcement community and the poor blacks residing in unstable female‐headed households that homicide is seen as an appropriate response in at‐risk environments. Social order must be affirmed through education should America wish to control future crime. This study calls for an examination of educated law enforcement and its effects on community response.