A lack of economic opportunity among black men , and the shame and frustration that came from not being able to provide for one ´ s family , contributed to the erosion of black families - a problem that welfare policies for many years may have worsened . And the lack of basic services in so many urban black neighborhoods - parks for kids to play in , police walking the beat , regular garbage pick - up and building code enforcement - all helped create a cycle of violence , blight and neglect that continue to haunt us .