While violent behaviors and weapon carrying have decreased among African American adolescents, homicide rates continue to rise, says a new report from Ball State University.
“Violent Behaviors, Weapon Carrying, and Firearm Homicide Trends in African American Adolescents, 2001–2015” is the first study to assess violent behaviors in African-American youth over an extended period. The study was published online in April in the Journal of Community Health.
“In a multiyear national assessment, we found that African-American adolescents who achieved very good grades in school were significantly less likely to carry weapons or engage in violent behaviors,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, lead author and a health science professor at Ball State. “On the contrary, teenagers who used drugs, alcohol and tobacco were significantly more likely to carry weapons and engage in aggressive behaviors.”
The study team used the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from 2001 to 2015.
The study found that among African-Americans:
- Fighting in general and on school property had significantly declined from 2007-2015.
- The rates of carrying of a weapon in general and carrying a weapon on school property declined for males and females from 2009-2015.
- The rates of carrying a gun in public significantly declined in males from 2009-2015.
- Adolescents had two indicators linked to the likelihood of carrying weapons: alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and violent risk behaviors, such as weapon and gun-carrying. Cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine use were most strongly linked with weapon and gun carrying.
- Firearm homicides continued to increase in adolescent males. African-American males accounted for more than 75 percent of all gun homicides in adolescents.
- Firearm homicide rates in African-American teenagers were 10 times higher than white teenagers.
“School engagement and superior academic performance in school may have a protective effect for African-American teenagers, especially males,” Khubchandani said. “Prevention of substance abuse, school based and focused education for high risk black children, and better implementation of disciplinary policies in schools can certainly help save lives.”
Our theme this year:
High School Theme: How would you like to contribute to the revitalization of Detroit?
Middle School Theme: Imagine waking up one day and there were no rules. Explain what the world would be like.
High School Students Scholarships:
$2,500 First Place, $1,500 Second Place, and $1,000 Third Place
Honorable Mentions: 6 recipients receiving $50.00 gift card each
Middle School Students Awards:
$200 First Place, $150 Second Place, and $100 Third Place
Honorable Mentions: 6 recipients receiving $50.00 gift card each
Our 2018 high school scholarship winners, middle school award winners and honorable mention recipients are:
High School Scholarships
| 1st Place | Montezion Cherry | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| 2nd Place | Deja Redmond | Detroit College Preparatory at Northwestern |
| 3rd Place | Jordan Phillips | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
High School Honorable Mentions
| Edith Cameron | Western International High School |
| Troianna Childrey | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| William Curry III | Renaissance High School |
| DeShawn Durr | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| Davonte Johnson | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| Caleb Jones | Renaissance High School |
Middle School Awards
| 1st Place | Summer J. Pettaway | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| 2nd Place | Marnise Segrest | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| 3rd Place | Jason Price | Brewer Academy |
Middle School Honorable Mentions
| Giniesha Bolden | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Marshawn Dixon | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Christina Faraad | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Stevana Peterson | Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science |
| Tasnimah Uddin | Davison Elementary-Middle School |
| Jaylen Rashaun Williams-Banks | Brewer Academy |
Contact information:
Khubchandani may be reached at 765-285-8345 or jkhubchandan@bsu.edu.
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