In a nod to an influential newsmaker in 2011, Time Magazine named "The Protester" as its Person of the Year.

In Milwaukee, I would like to recognize another group that regularly made the headlines last year: "Out-Of-Control Black Youth."

When it came to making news, there were few more serious contenders.

In a recent poll on JSOnline.com, the most-read news story of 2011 wasn't Gov. Scott Walker's budget battles over union bargaining or the "Wisconsin 14" group of Democratic state senators that fled to Illinois or even the votes out of Brookfield that for a time appeared to be missing in the race for state Supreme Court.

The most-read story was the disturbance by a group of unruly black youths at Mayfair mall last January. According to reports, it was a hectic scene with scores of black teenagers running through the mall, knocking down a clothing display and prompting mall security to close the shopping center early.

Frankly, I didn't think the story deserved to be ranked that high. As news about out-of-control black youths in Milwaukee goes, I think the Mayfair mall incident wasn't as newsworthy as other events that happened later in the year.

Some readers may remember much scarier incidents that involved more actual physical harm and damage to property. That would include the melee in the Riverwest neighborhood after the July 3 fireworks at the lakefront. A group of young black people looted a gas station convenience store, an incident followed by a string of strong-arm robberies of innocent residents out to celebrate the holiday.

Not long after that, the opening night of the Wisconsin State Fair in August featured a violent confrontation between black youths at the midway area that spread outside the park. Before it was over, some fairgoers were beaten or threatened, and a number of West Allis police officers were injured trying to restore order.

Considering all that, what happened at Mayfair was small potatoes. Or perhaps a warning of what was to come.

All of these incidents involving out-of-control black youths set off the usual amount of hand-wringing in town. Conservative radio talk shows, in particular, were usually able to get days' worth of material from the topic, for which I'm sure they were eternally grateful.

For many residents concerned about the issue - both black and white - it's valid to point the finger at a lack of parental responsibility and family values being taught in some segments of the African-American community.

For others, it's a just another chance to pontificate on the dysfunction of the black family without any personal experience on which to base their opinions.

I imagine it's hard for some to understand why so many black youths in Milwaukee seem so angry and disconnected from mainstream society. I suggest taking a look at some crucial statistics regarding black unemployment, incarceration, poverty and the graduation rate of Milwaukee Public Schools.

That's why I usually reject the theories of some readers who immediately blame the problem with black youths on everything from the so-called welfare state to the lack of black leadership to an inability of black parents to control their offspring.

Frankly, most of these folks don't have a clue what goes on inside a typical black family outside of stereotypes based on TV news reports. They also have little knowledge of what's being done in black churches, schools and community centers to reach this stubborn demographic.

What I have come to believe is this: In Milwaukee and elsewhere, even kids raised in "good families" can often act out when they are away from their parents' control and subject to peer pressure. But, yes, I also believe the key to young people sticking to the right path lies in their homes.

Here's just one example: The dozens of black kids who looted the store in Riverwest that evening in July were caught on the security camera, the footage of which was widely shown on TV and the Internet. Some black parents recognized their kids and turned them in to police.

Sadly, most didn't.

The year 2011 had its share of tumultuous events, but out-of-control black youths were apparently more of a concern for some readers than major stories concerning politics and the economy. I find it hard to believe most readers worry more about misbehaving black kids than the need for more jobs in Milwaukee.

That suggests to me, in some ways, black youths have become the boogeyman of Milwaukee, something to be feared because folks have warned you about it so often. But if you spend too much time fearing this boogeyman, you might lose sight of the real threat.

Unfortunately, I have little doubt out-of-control black youths will continue to be a major concern in 2012 if only because the conditions that have created them still remain.

Contact Eugene Kane at (414) 223-5521 or ekane@journalsentinel.com. Read his Raising Kane blog and follow him on Twitter@eugene_kane