The Impact of Racism on Violence Exposure Among Black Children in the United States

Abstract Violence exposure within the United States represents a significant public health issue that can lead to significant psychological challenges across the life course. Unfortunately, Black youth are disproportionately exposed to various forms of violence, which positions them to be at greater risk for poor mental health. Previous research suggests that racism, which represents a significant risk to the positive psychosocial development of Black youth, can function as a unique form of violence that victimizes youth. As evidenced by the recent high-profile murders of Black Americans at the hands of police officers and other community members, the interaction between racism and violence can have profound consequences. Given this interplay, the current chapter utilizes a socioecological framework to delineate the relevance of racism across individual, relational, community, and societal domains, to illuminate why Black youth are at an elevated risk for violence exposure relative to other racial ethnic groups in the United States.