Father’s Day Rally Committee answers: Why A Call to Actions?
On any given day in America, in any urban city in America with a large population of Black citizens, someone is shot or killed by another Black citizen.
Every year America sees over 51,000 deaths as a result of violence. Over 49 percent of those murdered are Blacks in general and Black males in particular. The medical and productivity-related cost of violence in America is estimated to exceed $70 billion each year.
It has been documented (US Department Justice) that Black victims of homicide are most likely to be male (85 percent) and between the ages 17 to 19 (51 percent). In highly populated areas, including cities and suburbs, homicides against Blacks are more likely to occur than those against Whites. Black homicide victims in 2005 accounted for 49 percent of all homicides committed.
The number of Black males murdered increased between 2004 and 2005 with 36 percent of them having been between the ages of 13-24 and 51 percent between the ages of 17-29. It’s been estimated that as many as 10 million children per year may witness or be victims of violence in their homes, which includes having witnessed the violence of males around them either as perpetrators or victims. This has a direct impact on the child’s well being and results in a not-so-inconsequential residual effect.
Call for Action: National Black on Black Conference is dedicated explore methods to develop an action plan to reduce violence and crime in the urban areas of the country over a three year period.
Another purpose of the conference is to develop a network of collaborators, communicating, and action among participants by sharing innovative ideas and examining various preventative models and strategies that are culturally relevant for the Black community. In the conference we will focus on alternatives to violence among our young and highlight successful programs, projects, and initiatives that promote new ideas.
The Call to Action: National Conference on Black on Black Violence: as a Social Epidemic and Deployment of Workable Solutions will take place on Friday October 26-Sunday October 28 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center,12th and Arch St. To register or for more information go to www.fdrc.net.