Gangstas" and their subsidiary culture being probably the predominant explanation for the numbers cited in the article.
Unfortunately, the thug life comes from the epidemic of fatherlessness in the black community. It would great if the so-called leaders of the black community, would stress the importance of marriage and abstinence instead of racism.
You are 100% right about the dearth of black fathers out there.
However,let me throw something rather controversial in the conversation.
I constantly hear black men of all ages complain that all too often the black women"won't let me be a man".Like that Bobby Womack song where he goes"She's always talking about what her girlfriends got and what she ain't got and why don't I go out and get them for her and then I work two jobs to get them and she complains I don't spend ehouigh time with her".
I see way too many black women who are tough and aggressive on the job because they HAVE to be that way to get respect.The problem happens when they get home and they can't turn off that part of their personality.Causes lots of problems.
Decent folks like you and your family long ago fled the "hoods" in which the thugs predominate. I'll bet most of the kids in those surroundings never have contact with a positive role model, more's the pity.
Especially since the thug life and its deleterious effects help to foster racism.
**It would great if the so-called leaders of the black community, would stress the importance of marriage and abstinence instead of racism.**
I believe that you nailed it.
But that's not a message you are likely to hear from black leaders because it would be so unpopular.
In other words, it would require that the community accept some responsibility for the problem. That is not a message that is consistent with the idea that ALL problems stem from racism, which is the only thing "black leaders" have to sell.
It is indeed a sad situation. One in which PC prevents anyone from even acknowledging the problem, let alone looking for a solution.