Defining Structural Violence in the City of Birmingham
By Autumne Lee, AmeriCorps VISTA, Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity, City of Birmingham
Structural Violence: A form of violence wherein some social structure or social institution may harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs. Source: Johan Galtung, “Violence, Peace, and Peace Research.”
According to the 2010 Population Census, Birmingham has a population of 212,237 residents, not including the metro area, which expands the total to more than 1.1 million. Birmingham is not only the biggest city in Alabama, but it also serves as a model city in a number of ways, including economic strength, college/university opportunities, and racial diversity. As such, we would like to address racial inequities in Birmingham and create positive change that can improve the quality of life of all residents.
First, most of us may not realize that Birmingham’s small business economy is very diverse. In 2012, Birmingham was home to a total of 20,738 businesses (U.S. Census Bureau). Of these, 10,318 (approximately 50 percent) were owned by men and 8,286 (about 40 percent) by women. As far as race/ethnicity, 10,605 (approximately 51 percent) of these businesses were minority-owned and 8,770 (about 43 percent) were non-minority owned.
Unfortunately, everyone does not enjoy similar opportunities. Specifically, many of Birmingham’s issues disproportionately affect its black residents, which comprise 71.6 percent of the city’s population, according to the census bureau. For example, in 2010 in Alabama, 1,788 of every 100,000 black residents were incarcerated, whereas the incarceration rate of white residents was 535 of every 100,000. Another way to view this proportion is in terms of population. Black residents constitute 26 percent of the state population but an overwhelming 54 percent of the prison population. Comparatively, white residents form 67 percent of the state population and 42 percent of the prison population.
In addition to incarceration, poverty is a major concern. In Birmingham, 28.1 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Of those residents, 77 percent are black, 16.6 percent are white, and 4.2 percent are Hispanic.
Facts like these are distressing and undergird Mayor Randall Woodfin’s decision to form an Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity.
Birmingham’s legacy is rooted in championing civil rights, and we can continue these efforts by eliminating structural challenges for all residents.
Learn more about our strategies to fight structural violence at www.BirminghamAL.gov/PEACE
