The black unemployment rate has always been higher than that of whites but the Great Recession is proving to hit us a little more disproportionately. Now I’m not denying people of all races have been hit hard, nor am I claiming the recession was created to hinder black folks in the wake of the first black President being elected. I just needed a catchy title to garner your attention! But what is going on nationally and more specifically in New York can’t be denied.
According to a recent report issued by NYC’s Comptroller Office, the unemployment rate for blacks rose FOUR times faster than the rate for whites over the course of the last year. Let me put it another way, the recession induced unemployment rate for blacks in NYC stands at 13.6% while the rate for whites is 8.2%. There are 1.5 million more whites than blacks in NYC. Do the math.
Statistics can often be misleading and I understand that. So, that is why this is even more alarming to me. But I refuse to attribute the situation to racist motivated firings. Instead, I ask the question. What fields of work where these unemployed blacks in to begin with? To my speculation, the report cited our lack of representation in “professional” services but our over representation in the retailing and service industries. Two of the hardest hit industries since the recession began. Since we traditionally are the low-wage and low skilled workers, we are first on the list when it comes to grinding the axe.
So, I wonder how things in your city or state are. How are some of your family and friends being affected? Statistics never do the real story justice so I want to hear from you. I know what the headlines are trying to sell me but the reality is the recession is just as bad today as it was six months ago. But for the average African American it’s just another day in the life. Feedback?
Article by Kevin Breckenridge
Helping to raise the financial conscious of those who are consciously aware of the necessity to obtain financial freedom. Through education, exposure, open discussion, and action we can eliminate the financial strain on our pockets. Doing so will allow us to build the capital and asset portfolio necessary to truly enjoy our life as well as elevate the launching pad for our future generations.
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This prompted to to look up the statistics in California. The information I found, informed me that 15.3% of Blacks and 8.6% of Whites here in Cali are/were unemployed. But that’s not what shocked the breath out of me, the ONLY state that had a single digit unemployment rate, where the data was collected, was Maryland. These stats were as of the end of June.
The saying “when whites are in a recession, blacks are in a depression” … is beyond true. If the national unemployment rate were averaging anywhere near 14.7% this “recession” would be referred to as a depression.
The NYC statistics sound about right. And if it’s not unemployment, folks are busting their asses at 2 or 3 jobs and still living paycheck to paycheck. How do I know.