Black communities across America are in pain—pain that runs deep from centuries of systemic oppression. But there’s a more immediate danger in our midst: beefing. Yes, the back-and-forth, the feuds, the fights—many times escalating into violence—are tearing apart our communities and playing directly into the hands of those who aim to exploit us. These beefs aren’t just personal; they have historical roots, reinforced by systemic racism. It’s time to recognize the damage, understand where it comes from, and figure out how we can finally do better.
I’m Augustus Corbett, an attorney and co-host of The Defiant Lawyers, and today I’m breaking down the causes of black beefing, its harmful impact, and ways we can stop this cycle once and for all.
Why Beefing in the Black Community is a Bigger Problem Than We Think
Look around. Everywhere on TV, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—black folks are going at it. Public arguments between celebrities get blown up in the media, while real, everyday beefs are escalating to deadly violence in our neighborhoods. But why are we so quick to turn on each other when we know our real oppressors are sitting back and watching?
Here’s the thing: beefing didn’t start on social media or in the streets. It’s part of a racist playbook that’s been used against us for hundreds of years.
The Historical Roots of Beefing
Beefing among black people didn’t just spring up randomly. During slavery, systemic division was a tool used to keep black people from uniting. Slave owners knew that brute force wasn’t enough to control the masses of enslaved people. So what did they do? They turned us against each other.
Historian Professor Petley writes in his book White Fury that British slaveholders in Jamaica deliberately created divisions among enslaved Africans by mixing tribes that spoke different languages and had different customs. They encouraged distrust and disunity, knowing that divided people are easier to control. If you’re busy beefing with the man next to you, you’re less likely to unite and revolt.
Malcolm X pointed this out too, famously describing the tension between the “house negro” and the “field negro.” This was no accident. Promoting division allowed the enslavers and, later, white supremacist systems to keep their grip on black people.
Modern Examples of Black Beef
Fast forward to today. Instead of overcoming this legacy of division, beefing has continued—now amplified by media, social platforms, and even in entertainment. Whether it’s public feuds like Tupac vs. Biggie, the Bloods vs. Crips, or Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, we see the consequences of unresolved beef on screen and in the streets.
But make no mistake, it’s not just about celebrities. Real lives are being lost. Homicide is currently the leading cause of death for black males between the ages of 1 and 44. Why? Because a lot of these deaths are the result of escalating beefs.
What Exactly is Beefing?
Let’s get precise about what beefing really is because it’s deeper than just two people arguing. Here’s a breakdown of how beefing typically escalates:
1. Discontentment:
Someone is unhappy or dissatisfied with their life or their situation. This is often where beefs start—one person, already hurting, latches on to minor offenses.
2. Disrespect:
Next comes the disrespect—a verbal jab, an insult, some words that get under the other person’s skin. In black culture, respect is closely tied to identity and pride, which makes disrespect feel deeply personal.
3. Disturbance:
The jab disturbs the other person, triggering anger, hurt, or resentment. People feel disrespected, and they think they have to do something about it—sometimes publicly.
4. Division:
Then others get involved, picking sides. Suddenly, what started as a personal issue grows into something much bigger, dividing not just individuals but entire communities.
5. Destruction (Literal or Figurative):
In many cases, things go way too far—people get hurt or even killed. What started as words ends in violence.
The Psychological Toll of Disrespect
Why does disrespect hit us so hard? Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, explains how generational trauma has made black people hypersensitive to disrespect. After hundreds of years of being disrespected, beaten down, and denied humanity, many of us have an almost instinctive reaction to defend our manhood or womanhood the moment we feel slighted.
In black communities, respect isn’t just important—it’s a matter of identity. A lack of respect can make someone feel less like a person. This is why insults, no matter how small, can lead to fatal outcomes.
The Crabs in a Barrel Mentality
Dr. DeGruy also touches on the unfortunate “crabs in a barrel” syndrome that’s common in black communities. The idea is simple: if one black person starts to succeed, others—seeing their own pain and setbacks—will try to drag them back down. It’s a competitive mindset born out of scarcity and years of oppression.
We’re taught, consciously or not, that only a few of us can “make it,” so we start sabotaging each other. That’s how deep-rooted our divisions have become.
Unity Doesn’t Mean Uniformity: Why We Need To Stand Together
This doesn’t mean we have to all think exactly the same. We’re not a monolith—black people come from a variety of experiences. But we can still be unified around certain core beliefs.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Only by being reconciled to ourselves will we be able to build upon the resources we already have at our disposal.” He argued that black people must learn to unite around common goals, even if we don’t agree on everything.
We need to learn how to come together to tackle white supremacy and systemic racism. These aren’t abstract problems—they’re real enemies, tearing apart our communities while we’re distracted by beefs. Differences in opinion are fine, but we must unite on what truly matters.
Breaking the Cycle of Destruction
We’ve got to stop falling into the traps laid out for us. If beefing is rooted in discontentment and disrespect, then our goal should be addressing that discontentment constructively. As leaders in our communities—whether you’re a parent, a mentor, a friend, or just someone others look up to—it’s on us to set a better example.
Here are a few ways we can start breaking the cycle:
- Address trauma openly. Many of us are carrying generational pain that we never talk about. Mental health should be a priority.
- Teach conflict resolution that doesn’t require violence or public humiliation. It’s okay to feel disrespected, but it’s not okay to turn that frustration into violence, especially when it results in death.
- Build stronger community ties to replace the influence of gangs or online fame—places where beefing is glorified or monetized.
- Have vision. Dr. King said it best—without a sense of where you want to go in life, you’ll perish chasing short-term wins like avenging disrespect. Let’s start encouraging our young people to have long-term visions for themselves.
Time To Do Better
There’s no quick fix for the problem of beefing in the black community. It took centuries of systemic oppression to create the mindset we’re living with now. But we can do better. We must do better. The violence, the division, and the destruction we see? That’s what happens when we play into the hands of those who want to keep us down.
Let’s rise above. Let’s stop giving in to a system designed to pit us against each other. Let’s start rooting out beefs before they escalate into something deadly.
At the end of the day, we need each other more than we need to win an argument or prove a point. Unity doesn’t mean we have to agree on every little thing, but it does mean we aim for a bigger vision—a vision where our community is thriving, not fighting.
Until next time, as always: Increase the peace.
Share your thoughts on how we can unify despite our differences. Let me know in the comments. And if you found this useful, spread the word, subscribe, and hit that bell for more content like this.
FOLLOW.
Spotify|open.spotify.com/show/7cJE3YY489eRKl1j9l14en.
