Presents a Lecture by

Dr. Peter St. Jean, 
Assistant Professor of Law and Society
Department of Sociology
University of Buffalo

This presentation will focus on a timely and pressing issue: Black on Black Crime in America.  I offer an alternative argument for the dominant discourses which seem to suggest that there is something inherent about African Americans, their culture, and personality which predispose them to disproportionate involvement in violent and predatory crimes, especially against each other.  My argument is based on an ongoing study which indicates that we need to understand Black on Black crime in America as a function of three main issues: (1) the general functioning of criminal opportunity, (2) the general functioning of criminal motivation, and (3) the results of demographic segregation.  My discussion will explain these observations and make suggestions for practical ways to reduce violent and predatory crimes among African Americans and others.