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We gotta talk about ‘white-on-white crime’

Opinion: Statistics show that “white on white crime” is and always has been equally on par with other races, so why don’t we ever hear about it?

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART.

The views expressed in this opinion piece are solely each author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of Black Iowa News. Content is edited for clarity, length and accuracy. Submit your original, unpublished opinion piece to Black Iowa News by emailing dana@blackiowanews.com.

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If you’ve been glued to the news lately, you might have spotted a charming trend. It appears the white male community is having quite the emotional meltdown as their beloved ideology crumbles around them. Whether it’s rage trolling online, literally offing their own heroes for failing to meet the “whiter shade of whiteness” standard, or the delightful parade of mass shootings committed by, you guessed it, white men. This specific group of Americans, who seemingly have everything at their fingertips, has decided that it’s time to “fight back.” But really I ask: against whom?

It’s as if they’ve forgotten that we’re not pushing them into their own communities to unleash horrific violence. However, they also know that coming into certain communities they would be greeted with a generous sprinkling of led-flavored seasoning traveling at 1,200-3,000 feet per second from every direction. Ironically though, it’s white men inciting other white men to commit these acts against, surprise, white people, then clutching their pearls and lamenting the violence while pointing fingers at everyone but themselves. But simultaneously pining for understanding and grace for the shooter’s family as well as the victims. But hey, this isn’t exactly new for our nation.

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART

George Rockwell, the genius behind the American Nazi Party and the brainiac who coined the phrase “white power,” was quite the multi-talented fellow. Surprising, right? This WWII Navy vet donned a pilot’s cap and flew over the Pacific while dreaming up his racially-charged manifesto. He sat with the Nation of Islam, dressed in the Nazi casual dress uniform nodding along with Elijah Muhammad on the gem of an idea that Black and white folks could never coexist peacefully. Talk about an innovative thinker. Oh, and let’s not forget his generous donations to fund that wonderful cause. Truly, the man was all about unity. In a delightful twist of fate, he was eventually knocked off by one of his own for not being “white enough.” Because why settle for irony when you can have a full on farce?

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART

Charles Whitman was a United States Marine, who did well in school, was highly intelligent, and was also an Eagle Scout. At the time he earned it, he was the youngest person in America to ever do so. While in the Marine Corps, he was exemplary and earned a scholarship from the Navy, which he used to study mechanical engineering at the University of Texas. He eventually dropped out, got married, and returned later after he was honorably discharged from the Marines. One day after he had returned, he killed his mother in her home, then his wife in their bed stabbing her multiple times in the heart as she slept, and shot 15 people from the bell tower on campus with weapons he purchased that day by writing bad checks.

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART.

James Huberty was a certified mortician and a welder who had great skill and was recognized as one of the best in his field. When the steel industry collapsed in his home of Ohio, he packed up his family and moved to San Ysidro, California. He did not fare well in the job market but eventually found work as a security guard for a local company. He somehow became more engrossed in conspiracy theories and wild speculation. He knew he was having problems mentally and told his wife that he was hearing voices and being followed because of what he knew. He tried to get help because even he knew he was outside of himself, but he received none. Then one day, dressed in military-style fatigues, donning black sunglasses, he entered a local McDonald’s and started firing. He literally walked from table to table, firing over 250 rounds over a 77-minute period, killing 21 people and wounding 19 others.

One could easily believe these are recent events, but alas, time travel has not been invented yet. George Rockwell met his untimely end in 1967 at the hands of John Palter, a former member who was outsted for causing dissent between dark haired and blonde Nazis. Then there’s Charles Whitman, who in 1966 found out that police officers shoot back, even when you’re white. And let’s not forget James Huberty, who got himself a one-way ticket to the afterlife in 1984, courtesy of a S.W.A.T. sniper. His final words?

“I have killed thousands, I will kill thousands more,” he reportedly stated.

Poignant, however, in my opinion, not exactly worthy of a Pulitzer.

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART.

Statistically speaking, white people are more likely to be victims of violent crime at the hands of other white men, and always have been, with Black people only contributing to roughly 15% of crimes committed against white folks, it would seem to bring to question — white men, are y’all ok?

Source: Kareem Carr.

I’ve seen recently the grave concern for young white males who feel disenfranchised from society, in one way or another, whether it’s as if they feel as if no one sees them as valued by society or they feel outcast among their peers, even something as small as being rejected by a woman or losing a video game can trigger a mass casualty event. So we are now being asked to be more accepting of them and their views as well being understanding of their individual situations so white men ages 18-35 have an opportunity to express their ideas freely, and can feel more comfortable being themselves. OK, so hear me out on this because I know the concept of what I’m about to say may make some people feel alienated and uncomfortable, but in reply to that I say:

No!

Not just no, but hell to the naw, I must decline, I got to say the nay-no my brothers on that particular sentiment as it would be contrary to the ideologies we have been taught when it comes to dealing with Black-on-Black crime. We’ve all been lovingly indoctrinated into the belief that tossing more law enforcement into our neighborhoods is the magical solution. So, naturally, I just can’t wait to see the same thing rolled out in theirs. And let’s not forget the wisdom of stellar parenting skills and the oh so reasonable idea of fewer kids, because who wouldn’t want to see that replicated across the board? Oh, and fewer guns in our communities? Absolutely a stellar starting point! And last but not least maybe they need more religion in their schools. Unless, of course, this is just another case of people spewing nonsense until it suddenly hits home.

Look, for Black, Brown, and People of Color, it’s always been a neat little narrative of “They’re just naturally violent” or “more prone to crime,” right? Meanwhile, here’s the reality check: It has been the severe lack of educational resources, decent jobs that pay a living wage, affordable housing and food insecurity that have actually driven the tough situations in our communities. But fast forward to now, and guess what? Those same issues are knocking at the doors of white men aged 18-35 because of a choice they made back in November. And instead of owning up to the to their own ignorance acknowledging their own bias, or even entertaining the idea that it was a bad decision, what do they do? They grab their guns and set out for vengeance against —checks notes. Yep, that’s right. It’s the very folks who made the same decision they did! Classic.

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In a unique twist, law enforcement, the beacon of safety, now finds itself dancing on the thin ice of vulnerability along with everyone else, thanks to none other than white men. Just last year, we had the pleasure of witnessing everything from sneak attacks on officers to the cinematic plot twist of a sheriff deciding a judge’s chambers was the perfect venue for a shooting. It’s a hard pill to swallow for law enforcement, but it turns out the boogeyman isn’t lurking in our diverse communities they are so wary of. No, the real menace hails from those quaint little towns where Confederate flags wave proudly amidst the backdrop of fervent patriotism, and guys with big trucks and “We the People” tattoos hold county fairs. Who would’ve thought?

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART.

In Whitesburg, Kentucky, Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin Mullins after allegedly discovering his daughter’s phone number in the judge’s phone. During the investigation of the shooting, evidence began to suggest that the judge, several jailers, the county attorney, and other state employees were running a sex/prostitution ring where female inmates were coerced to participate in sexual activities and performances with each other in order to lessen or elevate their charges. According to one of the female inmates, she had been having sexual encounters with Judge Mullins since she was 16 and had originally met him when learning to take legal depositions in high school while he worked as a commonwealth attorney and she an intern. Prior to the shooting, Sheriff Stines was under the impression that his wife and daughter had participated in sex parties and swinger events with the judge, which they denied attending.

Image created by Shade Burgs with PICSART

In Lorraine, Ohio, Michael Parker was reportedly a relatively quiet man who mostly kept to himself, according to neighbors who also described him as “different,” but they also believed him to be harmless. However, on July 25, 2025, he ambushed two police officers as they sat in their vehicles eating lunch, then a third officer as he responded to their calls for help. Officers Phillip Wagner and Peter Gale did not survive their encounter with Michael; the third officer, Brent Payne, was injured but was released from the hospital on July 26, 2025. In the subsequent investigation, authorities said they discovered 10 weapons, 7,500 rounds, as well as 100 lbs of improvised explosive devices in Michael’s car. While Michael was known to have had some mental health issues, he struck most people as “a little odd,” according to reports.

According to the FBI, the monsters lurking under our bed of limited democracy aren’t some swarthy turban wearing international terror conglomerate but rather Chad from accounting, Kyle from the frat house and even Conner from next door. It’s almost like a lightbulb moment when they realize that the group traditionally parked at the top of the societal food chain might actually struggle with the concept of not getting everything they want on a silver platter.

And then comes the meltdown because apparently, American existence and reality taste a lot different than the American Dream they’ve been fed since they could spoon it into their mouths. Meanwhile Black, Bown and People of Color have been steeped in the culture of disappointment since birth. Suddenly, they’re in this bewildering wonderland where, shocker, life isn’t a meritocracy of rewarding the confidence of a mediocre white man after all, kind of like that time you were overqualified for the job but it magically went to someone less qualified because you didn’t fit the ‘company culture’.

Or those moments you’re speaking but the person across is just nodding along, not because they understand, but because it’s easier than admitting they don’t have the slightest clue what any of those big words mean. Or even better, when you’re answering to a boss who knows less about the job than an intern on their first day but hey, they’re in charge, and will correct you for doing things correctly?

I think that without the survival/coping mechanism Black, Brown and people of color have as a default setting, white men find themselves questioning the validity of their upbringing because the wake-up call was as gentle as a wrecking ball to the face — and swung by the white men in charge of the 18-35 year olds.


Author
Shade Burgs

Shade Burgs, a Black Iowan, is a multifaceted individual who has left a mark in various domains. A decorated combat veteran of Desert Storm, he exemplifies bravery and resilience. As an artist, Shade’s captivating creations offer glimpses into the human experience, while his entrepreneurial spirit as a business owner showcases his commitment to excellence. Living at the intersection of artistry, military service, and entrepreneurship, Shade’s story is one of determination, creativity, and success.

Follow him at BlueSky: This guy writes @shade118.bsky.social.