Virginia Schools: Crime vs. Disparity

By Lewis Loflin

I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, but left in 1970 as the city’s schools descended into dysfunction—plagued by violence, behavioral issues, and a culture that undermined education. Today, little has changed. Suspension rates in Richmond, Henrico County, and Virginia as a whole reflect behavior and cultural differences, not bias, as shown by a 6.18x Black-to-White violent crime ratio. In my view, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and similar policies artificially lower reported suspension and violence rates, hiding the true extent of discipline issues. Richmond’s schools remain dysfunctional, driving low proficiency and prompting families to flee to areas like Henrico for better opportunities.

Suspension Rates Reflect Behavior, But Are Underreported:

Virginia’s 2023 violent crime statistics show a stark Black-to-White disparity: Black individuals commit violent crimes at 6.18x the rate of Whites (e.g., aggravated assault: 446.14 vs. 72.14 per 100,000, Virginia State Police, 2023). Suspension rates in schools, however, show a smaller gap, indicating behavior—not bias—drives disparities, though I believe DEI policies suppress the real numbers.

The Black-to-White suspension ratio (1.47x to 4.4x) is far lower than the 6.18x crime ratio, suggesting schools under-discipline Black students relative to their behavior. I believe DEI initiatives contribute to this by encouraging schools to report fewer suspensions and incidents of violence, masking the true extent of behavioral issues. In Richmond, the 1.47x ratio reflects a high overall suspension rate (15%) in a violent, high-poverty environment (360 per 100,000 crime rate, 19.8% poverty), where even White students (12%) face high rates. Henrico’s 3.8x ratio shows a wealthier context (200 per 100,000 crime rate) benefiting White students (2.9%), while statewide, the 4.4x ratio aligns more closely with behavioral patterns but is likely underreported.

Richmond Schools: A Legacy of Dysfunction:

Richmond schools were dysfunctional when I lived there in the 1960s—violence, behavioral issues, and a culture of low expectations made learning nearly impossible. By 1970, White families were fleeing to Henrico and Chesterfield to escape the chaos, a trend that continues today (Whites now 11.3% of Richmond students, 37.7% in Henrico, Virginia Dept. of Education, 2023-2024). The problems persist:

• High Suspension Rates: Richmond’s 15% overall rate (Black 17.6%) reflects widespread behavioral issues, disrupting education for all students, though I suspect the real rate is higher due to underreporting driven by DEI policies.
• Low Proficiency: Black students likely score ~8% proficient in 8th-grade math (NAEP 2022, adjusted for poverty), White students ~30%, due to constant disruptions and a culture that doesn’t prioritize academics.
• Violence and Poverty: Richmond’s 360 per 100,000 crime rate and 19.8% poverty (24.5% for Black residents) foster a chaotic environment, with behavioral issues tied to these conditions.
• Leadership Failures: Despite Black leadership (Mayor Levar Stoney, majority-Black school board), the focus on equity over discipline (1.47x ratio vs. 6.18x crime ratio) allows disruptive behavior to persist, worsened by DEI policies that hide the true scale of the problem.

Henrico and Virginia: Better, But Not Enough:

Henrico County, with a lower suspension rate (6% overall, Black 11.0%, White 2.9%), benefits from wealth (median income ~$76K) and less violence (200 per 100,000 crime rate), leading to better proficiency (Black ~12%, White ~45%). The 3.8x ratio still reflects behavioral differences, though DEI policies may underreport issues here too. Statewide, Virginia’s 4.4x ratio (Black 13.6%, White 3.1%) aligns with behavior, but 69% of students fail (Black 11%, White 39%, NAEP 2022), showing a failure to address behavior and culture effectively, compounded by underreporting.

Flight from Dysfunction:

The dysfunction I saw in Richmond schools in the 1960s—violence, behavioral issues, and a culture of low expectations—has driven families to flee for decades. Today, White students are just 11.3% of Richmond’s student population, compared to 37.7% in Henrico, as families seek safer, more functional schools. Until Richmond addresses behavior and culture, and stops hiding the real discipline issues behind DEI initiatives, its schools will remain dysfunctional, failing all students and perpetuating the cycle of flight.