Homicide among Blacks

Homicide in black and white

“…In 1910, when decent records start, the black (precisely, nonwhite) murder victimization rate was about 22 per 100,000, and the corresponding white rate was around 5 per 100,000-a ratio of about 5 to 1 (Shin et al, 1977). In 2004, the situation was not much di¤erent: the black victimization rate was 20.1 per 100,000 and the white rate was 3.6 for a ratio of about 5.6 to 1 (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006, table 29; these are age-adjusted rates with a 2000 base).…”

Homicide Trends in the United States

“…Between 1960 and 1975, for instance, their life expectation rose by 2.3 years. Had there been no upturn in homicide mortality the gain would have been at least three years (for additional discussion of this point, see Dennis, 1979;Shin, Jedlicka and Lee, 1977).…”