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America Quote by Michael Eric Dyson

“White-on-white crime is a devastation in America like so-called black-on-black crime. It's not black or white-on-white crime. It's proximity murder.” quote by Michael Eric Dyson
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“White-on-white crime is a devastation in America like so-called black-on-black crime. It's not black or white-on-white crime. It's proximity murder.”

Michael Eric Dyson

About This Quote

Source Speech: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, 2010

Crime rates reflect proximity and socioeconomic factors, not racial categories; labeling obscures root causes.

In simple terms: Proximity, not race, drives crime.

Key Takeaway

Address underlying social conditions.

Themes

crime race social inequality

Mood

analytical urgent

Type

academic policy

When to use this quote

  • urban policy
  • law enforcement
  • community development
  • public health

Key Concepts

structural violence systemic bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can policy target proximity factors?
  • What data reveal true crime drivers?
A Different Perspective

Ignoring proximity oversimplifies solutions.

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