(for my class) Why do afro-americans, make up 12% of the population, yet make up 80% of the people in jail?

Question

Please help

Answer 1

Actually I think the whole class/economic reasoning is a load of rot. To blame those factors outside one's control is just a polite way of shirking any personal responsibility. For example, some of the most impoverished countries and communities around the world, in many case have far lower rates of crime - similar can be said of educational standards.

Much of the reason I feel boils down cultural norms, as posed both internally and externally. From both inside and outside the specific cultural setting, what is seen as "normal" behaviour for the afro-American culture is vastly different to what is seen as acceptable for Caucasians in general. This is often further fuelled by typically black products, such as rap music and similar culturally charged products.

Because of the "closed" nature of much of the afro-American culture, it will continue to be a difficult cycle to break until attitudes change from within; more so than ANY changes to more wide-spread attitudes or circumstances. One side cannot blame the other for the entire problem or be rrelied upon for a solution - the fix needs to come from both sides equally.

Answer 2

I would have to say that figure is a bit skewed, but I get your point. Minorities for the most part make up the population of prisons for the same reason that the majority make up the population of colleges, opportunity, right place at the right time, and advantage. A lot of the minorities in America are disadvantaged from the get-go due to the areas in the country they live in, mainly projects, cities where crime is abundant.

Answer 3

There are two factors in our culture/country that produce this result.

1. Crimes committed by minorities are punished more severely than similar crimes committed by whites.

2. Minorities are rarely given the 'benefit of the doubt' and have their behavior criminalized in situations that are overlooked for whites.

When you take these two factors with the fact that most minority defendants do not have access to paid legal counsel, which is essential to getting off for both the guilty and the innocent, you wonder why 100% of the prison population isn't African American.

Answer 4

A large portion of black people live in impoverished areas were crime is prevalent. Most get placed in jail for drug possession (teenagers) and once in jail many people recidivate because they have lost hope and many opportunities in life thus leading to more crime and jail time. It doesnt hurt that a poor black male will go to jail a heck of a lot quicker for minor drug possession than an upper class white male.

Answer 5

you can not say that 1 group is the only resone for anything
that could be split into so many differnt ways it still works out the way you would like it
you could say that 80% are non educated and 12% are does that mean the educated crime is dont get put into jail NO
IT IS A STATMENT

Answer 6

Because of the class system. Their lack of education and low wages encourage them to commit crimes and when arrested they cannot afford a good defense.
Thus one less paycheck for kids, one less role model and more chances to stay in the lower strate of society.

This is not every black, just the majority.

Answer 7

I'd like to know where you got YOUR stats from. I don't trust that to be accurate. Perhaps in some inner cities yes but not NATIONALLY! You didn't site any source for those (probably bogus) stats I noticed...where did you get them from your own tiny, bigoted brain?

Answer 8

Because they want to lock black people up to keep them off the streets.

Answer 9

id better dont answer

Answer 10

POVERTY knows no color.