The Trayvon Martin Killing and the Myth of Black-on-Black Crime

Crime Rates

Crime is driven by proximity and opportunity, writes Jamelle Bouie—which is why 86 percent of white victims were killed by white offenders.

Published Jul. 15 2013 4:45AM EDT

articles/2013/07/15/the-trayvon-martin-killing-and-the-myth-of-black-on-black-crime/130714-bouie-trayvon-tease-embed_tvmtom — Angel Valentin/Getty

Last week, in Chicago, 16-year-old Darryl Green was found dead in the yard of an abandoned home. He was killed, relatives reported, because he refused to join a gang.

Jamelle Bouie

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The Trayvon Martin Killing and the Myth of Black-on-Black Crime

Crime is driven by proximity and opportunity, writes Jamelle Bouie—which is why 86 percent of white victims were killed by white offenders.

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Jamelle Bouie