Gunshots are one of the leading causes of death among black youth. Since so many don't bother with 'actin white' and going to school, they just get shot elsewhere. Getting shot for being able to read and write also discourages black kids from attendance.
AI Overview
Yes, shooting deaths are the leading cause of death for Black children in the United States, and have been for several years
. This trend highlights a stark racial disparity in gun violence, which disproportionately affects Black youth compared to other racial groups.
Key statistics on gun deaths among Black children
- Leading cause: Firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death for Black children in the U.S. since at least 2006. For all children in the U.S., firearms became the leading cause of death more recently, in 2020.
- Significantly higher rates: Black children and teens die from gun violence at a much higher rate than their White peers. For example, in 2023, the firearm death rate for Black youth was 11.7 per 100,000, which is over four times higher than the rate for White youth.
- Disproportionate share of deaths: In 2023, Black youth accounted for 46% of all youth firearm deaths, despite making up only 14% of the U.S. youth population.
- Dominantly homicides: The high rate of gun deaths among Black children is largely driven by homicides. In 2023, the gun assault death rate for Black youth was nearly 10 per 100,000, while the rate for White youth was less than one per 100,000.
- Increasing suicide rates: While firearm homicides are the primary driver, firearm suicides among Black youth have also increased, tripling between 2013 and 2022. In 2023, Black children had the highest firearm suicide rate of any racial or ethnic group.
- Worsening disparities: The disparity in gun death rates between Black and White children has widened, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lots of guns in the hands of black yoofs, so once shooting starts it's over quickly from return fire.
