Racism 101 Asked And Answered: How Can Black People Support Their Community When There’s Black-On-Black Crime?

“Lateral violence is ‘trying to feel powerful in a powerless situation,’ and is a term often used to describe the types of violence perpetrated within subjugated groups.”

“Can BIPOC support others in their communities? Yes, by doing all we can. But the truth is: It requires a complete overhaul and restructuring of just about every tenet of American institutions to actually see long-lasting, generational changes.”

“This is a great question. I’ve never answered it outside of a relationship with the police. That being said, lateral violence is proportionate across all races. People kill each other. And, lateral violence or violence toward one another, is tragic.

“Can BIPOC support others in their communities? Yes, by doing all we can. We are creating anti-violence organizations. We are involved in mentorship programs. Artists produce songs with calls for peace, lamenting fallen friends, to call attention to the violence. Community organizers, mayors and pastors host community-wide rallies in cities plagued by violence, and there are countless after-school programs.

“Organizations like the NAACP and Urban League offer a variety of services for at-risk youth. We are trying to create opportunities for those at risk or disenfranchised to help them imagine a world outside of their neighborhood or city — and where they fit into it.

“We are (trying) to vote. We are advocating for more help for mothers without vital resources like child care.

“But the truth is: It requires a complete overhaul and restructuring of just about every tenet of American institutions to actually see long-lasting, generational changes. BIPOC, particularly Black and Brown people, contend with the racism — and violence — that stems from systemic failures, trauma, the effects of poverty on families and under-resourced communities.

“But, there is solidarity as communities band together to show up for each other because their lives matter. When we say Black Lives Matter, we are talking not just to white people but to our fellow Black community. Nothing in life makes them feel like they matter, and this is a rare opportunity to see how their life is — and will always be — of value, beauty and light.

“There is awareness, concern, action being taken and change being made. There are endless stories of people whose lives were turned around because of other BIPOC folks showing solidarity with their lives, ther pain and giving them hope. That’s really all we can do.”

“It’s a conversion we need to continue to have. If this movement isn’t intersectional, it’s not a good movement.”