Reflection 25

Summary and Analysis of "OK, fine. Let us talk about 'black-on-black' violence." Student’s name Department: University Course: Course Code Instructor’s name Date Summary and Analysis of "OK, fine. Let us talk about 'black-on-black' violence." In the article by Lauren Williams titled, "OK, fine. Let us talk about 'black-on-black violence," the author covers one of the most necessary and misrepresented problems of American society. One of the major topics of the reading is the distortion and misuse of the term ''black-on-black'' violence. However, it is necessary to mention that Williams also aims to reveal another side of the phenomenon in question – the systemic racism, which makes black communities suffer from the problem of violence disproportionately – and it is impossible to speak about it separately from historical and socio-economic conditions of the life of black Americans. Historical Context The article was published in August 2014 when massive protests and outrage were resulting from police brutality, especially the shooting of the black man, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri. The black Americans' lives were oppressive, economically vulnerable, and policed, and these features facilitated violence in their lives. Williams places her reasoning in this context, proving how such historical and sometimes ongoing injustices are sidelined by such audiences who prefer to shift focus to inter-black violence. Identification of the Problem Williams frames the issue as to why the talk about ‘black-on-black crime’ has morphed into a mechanism of sidetracking mainstream...