NCJ Number
44394
Date Published
1977
Length
81 pages
Annotation
THE STATUS OF BLACK AMERICANS IS ASSESSED, WITH REFERENCE TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE AMONG ITS 107 AFFILIATES.
Abstract
THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE ASKED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE AFFILIATES TO RANK THE MAJOR PROBLEMS FACING BLACK COMMUNITIES AND TO COMMENT ON THE MOOD OF THESE COMMUNITIES. IN ORDER OF PRIORITY, THE MAJOR CONCERNS CITED WERE EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY PLANNING, AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME. MANY RESPONDENTS CALLED FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL EFFORTS, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS OF DRUG ABUSE AND CRIMES COMMITTED BY BLACKS AGAINST BLACKS. THE NEED FOR BETTER POLICE PROTECTION IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND FOR SPEEDIER TRIALS WAS CITED. CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED THAT MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WERE ANTI-BLACK. OTHER CRIME-RELATED PROBLEMS CITED INCLUDED THE DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF BLACKS IN PRISONS AND UNEQUAL TREATMENT IN THE COURT SYSTEM. THE REPORT SUMMARIZES THE SURVEY FINDINGS AND THEN DISCUSSES THE STATUS OF BLACK AMERICANS WITH REGARD TO THE PROBLEM AREAS IDENTIFIED IN THE SURVEY. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED RELATIVE TO THE ECONOMY, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING, HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, AND CRIME. (LKM)