We categorize problems endemic to particular racial groups all the time.
For instance, blacks, hispanics, and poor whites are largely over-represented in the prison population. The reasons for this are many, but are largely endemic to the system, rather than being endemic to these groups. Inequality of education and opportunity is, in my opinion, the primary factor; followed closely by the War on Drugs. But other factors include inequality in how law enforcement treats suspects in these groups and inequality in legal defense.
Solutions to some of this are fairly straightforward. Educational opportunities should be improved for the underserved. Real legal defense should be provided for those who cannot afford it.* Law enforcement needs to be overhauled and demilitarized.
The problem is there is no political will among people who matter to make these changes.
I think maybe you are talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems. There is the concept of "acting white" which does hold down certain ethnic groups in some areas, particularly education. I do think those problems should be addressed, but I also think they are addressed, just not at city, state, or national level. I see these problems addressed largely in support groups within and without communities. My college, and many universities have programs tailored to provide help for underserved groups and addressing these kind of issues falls under their aegis. (A matter of pride, the program developed at my college served as the template for all such programs in colleges and universities across California.)
But even so, I think addressing the larger issues will not only solve many of the issues that are specific to particular groups, it will also provide the moral grounds to avoid accusations of racism when addressing those issues directly.
*In my county, the public defenders are private. They are paid per case and are therefore incentivized to take on as many cases as possible. The quickest way to deal with a case is to encourage their client to take a plea deal regardless of the merits of their defense. In other counties, the public defenders are holding public offices and are incentivized, therefore, to win cases to further their careers. However, often these defenders are given case loads so large they can literally only spend seconds or minutes on any individual case.
I mostly agree with you, especially all the factors you mentioned. But like you said, I am "talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems".
I think they play a bigger role in perpetuating these problems than you may think. Or at least, they offer a good way for us to attack these problems.
For instance, blacks, hispanics, and poor whites are largely over-represented in the prison population. The reasons for this are many, but are largely endemic to the system, rather than being endemic to these groups. Inequality of education and opportunity is, in my opinion, the primary factor; followed closely by the War on Drugs. But other factors include inequality in how law enforcement treats suspects in these groups and inequality in legal defense.
Solutions to some of this are fairly straightforward. Educational opportunities should be improved for the underserved. Real legal defense should be provided for those who cannot afford it.* Law enforcement needs to be overhauled and demilitarized.
The problem is there is no political will among people who matter to make these changes.
I think maybe you are talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems. There is the concept of "acting white" which does hold down certain ethnic groups in some areas, particularly education. I do think those problems should be addressed, but I also think they are addressed, just not at city, state, or national level. I see these problems addressed largely in support groups within and without communities. My college, and many universities have programs tailored to provide help for underserved groups and addressing these kind of issues falls under their aegis. (A matter of pride, the program developed at my college served as the template for all such programs in colleges and universities across California.)
But even so, I think addressing the larger issues will not only solve many of the issues that are specific to particular groups, it will also provide the moral grounds to avoid accusations of racism when addressing those issues directly.
*In my county, the public defenders are private. They are paid per case and are therefore incentivized to take on as many cases as possible. The quickest way to deal with a case is to encourage their client to take a plea deal regardless of the merits of their defense. In other counties, the public defenders are holding public offices and are incentivized, therefore, to win cases to further their careers. However, often these defenders are given case loads so large they can literally only spend seconds or minutes on any individual case.