What do young men from wealthy white America have in common with young men from poor black America?

Urban states with heavy gang populations (click here) such as California and New York aren't particularly high up on the list of per-capita gun killings, though of course in terms of absolute numbers they look like murder capitals because of their big populations. Mid-size Southern states seem to be the places people are trigger-happiest -- and where, of course, political opposition to gun control often runs strongest. Perhaps that's because most of the bloodletting happens in Southern cities, and it's in rural areas -- where gun violence is slight -- that gun rights are held most sacred. --Dan Turner

It takes money to own a gun. So, how is it that city gangs have guns? They are poor. The white guys are somewhat understandable. They have money available to them and they have parents with money, too. So, what is this mess in the inner city?

Money. There is plenty of money in both places, but, the reasons for the killing is different.

In rich, white America young men are angry and lacking self identity, except, for the violence the gun culture provides. 

In poor, black America young men are violent because their drug economy demands it. Their gangs are a function of their economy. The young poor black American has done something no one else could for decades. They found money in an economy the white folks didn't want.

So, there is no color barrier here. The reasons are different to some extent, but, the fact the rich white guys lack a masculine identity that works for them are right along side of the poor black guy that lacks a masculine identity that works for them.

The American Gun Culture. Violent and a facade to sincere and wholesome self -esteem built on values that work for men of all ages.

Cradle to grave, do American men have self-identities that actually work for them, their communities and their families.