Question of the Week: "In what way does high unemployment in the African American community affect crime?"

Photos and question by Harry Kemp

Samatra Collins: "I believe there should be jobs for everyone, or education."

Gregory Groves: "(Either people) obtain good paying jobs or people will resort to what they know...crime."

Jacqueline Zeledon: "High unemployment and crime affect the African American community in a number of ways: 1) Hopelessness: People feel they have no options, 2) (The utilization of) underground economies: Pursue illegal activities if they can’t find mainstream jobs and 3) The family structure suffers."

Yolanda Bullock: "I think high unemployment affects crime by having no money circulating to buy food and clothes. So there is no self-esteem, more drug activities and hate toward each other."