Javier E. David, The Grio | November 9, 2010

The word “crisis” has perhaps become the most overused terms in the American vernacular. The public has spent most of the last two years grappling with hydra-headed crises, mostly economic in nature (financial, housing, unemployment, etc) and widespread in their impact. Yet the term has become almost too glib when discussing the smoldering flashpoint of black on black violence — particularly involving youth — which has smoldered for years, and defies easy categorization.

A wave of recent violence has brought new attention to a very old and intractable problem in black communities across the country. Among the latest cases is Georgia teenager Bobby Tillman, who was stomped, kicked and punched to death by four young men, for no apparent reason; and a 5-year-old boy caught in the crossfire of a suspected gang feud. And who can forget last year’s searing case of Derrion Albert, a Chicago honors student stomped to death by a group of his peers?  (Read more)