Submitted by Margaret Kimberley on Mon, 07/27/2009 – 23:10
by BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberley
The damage inflicted on Black America since the economic meltdown is absolutely unprecedented in modern times – but African Americans have yet to “develop an agenda and make the requisite demands” of power. In New York City, Black unemployment is “more than four times as high as white joblessness. “The trajectory for black America goes ever downward, even as the presence of a black man in the White House gives the mirage-like appearance of success for all.”
“Obama downplayed the singularity of the black experience.”
Black Americans and their ever growing list of problems are not on anyone’s agenda. They are not on the presidential agenda, or the congressional agenda. Even the Congressional Black Caucus leadership takes a hands off approach to their constituents’ dire situation. Unless African Americans develop an agenda and make the requisite demands, economic prospects will continue to decline.
The news for black people is rarely positive, and the recession without end has only exacerbated an already terrible condition.
According to the New York City Comptroller, black unemployment in that city is more than four times as high as white unemployment, a rate of 14.7% for blacks and 3.7% for whites. Black unemployment rose more than 9 percentage points in the past year, a 167% increase.When referring to unemployment statistics it must be remembered that the jobless no longer receiving benefits are not included in these numbers. To add insult to injury, no one in a position of power to change the situation will admit that racism is the cause of the disparity.
The New York Times will report the numbers, but manages to find economists and other experts who shrug their shoulders and express shock that the disparity continues to worsen. The reason for the unemployment free fall is apparently a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes.
“Black unemployment rose more than 9 percentage points in the past year, a 167% increase.”
The “r” word, racism, is like black people, off the table and prohibited from being discussed. Recessions give employers an opportunity to rid themselves of unwanted employees, and black and unwanted seem to be synonymous. The preference of many whites to be surrounded by more white faces is easier to justify when layoffs take place. Lo and behold, the cuts come at the bottom of the organizational chart, where the black faces are located, and not at the top, where a paler hue is the norm.
Black Agenda Report for more