May I direct your attention to page 14 on the following document you cited, Figures 21a and 21b, which show the homicide victimization rates for white and black teenagers broken down by race.

http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/htus8008.pdf

You’ll notice that black teenagers are almost ten times more likely to be the victims of homicide than white teenagers, when measured on a homicides per 100k people basis. This is truly a tragedy.

Certainly there is plenty of blame to go around. Certainly various government programs and laws have made the problem worse, and you’ve mentioned the drug war and prision-industrial complex as two cofactors. But I wonder could a culture of glorifying guns and violence contribute to this statistic as well? I heard you mention nothing about a subculture that actively glorifies these things, and no self criticism along these lines — which could be an important piece of the puzzle to explore.

An honest conversation about race may start, like an honest relationship discussion when there’s an issue: “Hey so look here’s where I’ve messed up… there’s this, this and this that I admit are not working, and that I take responsibility for. I’d like to see this kind of result, and feel that by you doing this (following) thing it would really help me to reach the goals I have, which are (insert goal lists here).” Then the other person goes and says the same thing. Then you compare notes, uphold your sides of the bargain, and away you go.

Hope this is helpful!