In a special report for Newsnight, the soul singer Mica Paris gives her personal view on why gun crime is on the increase in the black community. Last year, her brother Jason Phillips, a 22 year old postman, was killed after being shot repeatedly at point-blank range.

Watch Mica's film and a studio discussion

Since her brother's death, Ms Paris has become a tireless campaigner against the almost commonplace use of guns among some sections of the young black community. It was only after Jason's death that she became aware of how big a problem it is.

She said: "We cannot have them taking up this lifestyle and making this their future, because there is no future with that lifestyle."

You see an anger in these kids, they are very frustrated

Mica Paris

Ms Paris believes young black males need to be given positive role models and opportunities. The stereotypical view is that every black male on the street is up to no good.

She said: "You see an anger in these kids, they are very frustrated - they feel like they are not allowed to be partakers in society."

Her brother's killer, who was jailed for life, was unemployed and had previously been involved in drug crime. The only thing that the two men had in common was the colour of their skin.

"I was just surprised that my brother's death was just a regular thing that happens all the time," she said.

Her brother had visited his killer's house to find out why the man had thrown a bottle at his girlfriend.

'Gangster'

Ms Paris described how the killer got his gun out and drove down the road looking for her brother. When he found Mr Phillips, he took out the gun and shot him as if he was a gangster in a movie.

"Someone will step on someone's shoes and shoot them for it. This is just ridiculous," she said.

Ms Paris could see no remorse at the trial of her brother's killer. In fact, all she saw was anger and aggression.

"A time bomb is the best way to describe it. He looked like he could just go off at any minute," she said.

As part of her report for Newsnight, Ms Paris wanted to speak to the Government to ask them what they thought was fuelling such anger. But the Home Office said that no one was available.

"So many black people voted for this Government but they give the impression that they don't want to get involved in helping our community," she said.

Jonathan Rowland feels his career opportunities are limited

Young black men she spoke to in Peckham, South London, where she grew up said they suffered from negative stereotypes.

One of them, Jonathan Rowland, said he felt at a disadvantage at job interviews.

"They look at you as somebody who is going to be either taking drugs, or stealing something from them," he said.

Respect

Another, Marcus Edwin, said young black men carried guns because it gave them a sense of power and respect.

Mr Rowland added: "I don't need a gun, I've got my mouth... My mouth is my power."

But, he argued that those who feel they don't have a voice turn to violence as a way to express themselves.

Ms Paris felt encouraged by her visit to Peckham.

"These are a handful of black young males showing you that there's another way... and they are also trying to better themselves, so there goes the stereotype again.

"Not all black young males are in gangs doing bad things... As a society we have got to include them more, because as you can see they are very talented, they have a lot to offer," she said.