Is crime a result of race or socio-economic status?

Question

Support your answers. Only people with at least half a brain, please.

Please think before you type.
Also please note this is not a forum for racist comments rather a generation of intelligent discussion.

Funky Business Man - Although the answer should be obvious, many people believe otherwise, so here's their chance to say why. It's not a dumb question, but you in fact gave a dumb answer. Thank you.

It's not a dumb question. It is a question one of my graduate professors asked to generate a discussion. In my class it worked, but a few of you don't get it I guess. It isn't a yes or no question, it is more of a critical thinking question. Thanks to the serious answers.

Answer 1

The economic situation of a person is more important as an indicator of crime than the person’s race.

Blacks have a higher prison population because more of them live in poor areas. Given the same advantage as most whites they would turn out the same as most whites. Barak Obama is an example, he had the economic advantage that most black people didn’t.

Look at crime in poor area, regardless of race an you will see the statistics are pretty much the same. There are fewer poor white areas than black areas, but the drive to commit crime are the same and that is caused by the economic situation.

There are more white collar criminals who are white than there are black white criminals; I can’t think of a one. If you check the percentage of rich black men and women who commit white crime compared with the percentage of white people who commit white collar crime then the white people are going to be much higher represented and seem to be more criminal.

The true difference between how rich, powerful or wealthy a person is comes from their society and the advantages of that society. Blacks are denied a lot of advantages of rich white society like education so they are poorer.

Look at the earliest civilization that we know of the ancient Egyptians; who were blacks by the way. They certainly weren’t inferior because they outlasted the Greeks and were well into the Roman Period before their civilization was destroyed. Remember that Julius Caesar romanced Cleopatra.

The PBS series Guns Germs and Steel address the question; “Why do the white Europeans and Americans have more power and riches then the black people of Africa and the South Seas. The answer is that the whites invented guns and steel.

The ancient Aztecs had a society as large and powerful as modern New York, at least for their time. Yet they were taken down by Cortez and his band of 40 men. The difference was that Cortez’s men had guns and steel.

When life is easy; you can walk out your front door and spear a fish for a dinner, then you don’t have a lot of motive to improve your technology or advance yourself. A lot of black people came from areas where the living was easy, or easier than it was for the whites. Both groups built civilizations, but the current white civilization is the most powerful because of the advantages of guns and steel. These advantages gave us our high technology which is an increasing advantage that keeps us on top, at least so far.

The so called third world isn’t sitting still. China is the worst or best (if you are Chinese) at it currently. They have gone from a society that was similar to that of Native Americans in the 1700s, right before WW2 to the same technology that the US had only 50 years ago. So by the racial theory the yellow man is superior to the white man.

Answer 2

It seems like when people hear the word "crime" they are quick to associate and categorize that term to a certain group....lower class, blacks, etc. But one must keep in mind that a lot of wealthy, prominent members of this society frequently commit crimes (i.e white collar crimes, murder, etc). Crime is done out of greed, jealousy, selfishness, hatred, etc. All emotions I have listed are present in all breathing human beings. It has nothing to do with race. It has little to do with socio-economic standing. Low income does not mean low morals....just as high income does not mean high morals. It has more to do with that person's values.

Answer 3

NO. If it was then rich people wouldn't steal or cheat to get more money. It's greed, selfishness, and laziness that cause most crime.

Look at all the CEO's that are in jail or in court for gutting companies they ran. They certainly weren't disadvantaged, just greedy. Oh, and all white guys to boot.

I'm white too, so this isn't a tirade.

Answer 4

Crime is a human characteristic, it is neither race nor economically driven. All people have the means to commit crime, it is civilization and morales that dictate we do not commit crime

Answer 5

There are many reasons behind crime, like socio-economic standing, like you said, ignorance, lack of importance towards education, peer pressure, mental instability, etc~

Answer 6

i think its a combination of both. recent studies have shown that race is a major factor in crime along with lack of social skills and poverty.

Answer 7

Just a note, two crimes were committed recently by two rich white people. They were all over the news.

Answer 8

someone with at least half a brain shouldnt ask such dumb questions in the first place

Answer 9

YES. IT IS SAD THAT YOU TOUCHED STUPID PEOPLES NEVERS.