U.S. unemployment rate for blacks projected to hit 25-year high

[cory777]

Source: Washington Post

By V. Dion Haynes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 15, 2010

Unemployment for African Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year, according to a study released Thursday by an economic think tank, with the national rate soaring to 17.2 percent and the rates in five states exceeding 20 percent.

Blacks as well as Latinos were far behind whites in employment levels even when the economy was booming. But throughout the recession, the unemployment rate has grown much faster for African Americans and Latinos than for whites, according to the study by the Economic Policy Institute. Moreover, the unemployment gap between men and women has reached a record high -- with men far outpacing women in joblessness.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404085.html

[Jkid]

1. I read this article in the Washington Post before.

But <i>why</i> unemployment for African-Americans will be reaching a high? There has to be facts behind the statistics.

[slutticus]

5. From TFA

"Blacks, Hispanics and men have suffered the most mainly because they have been disproportionately employed in sectors hardest hit in the recession -- manufacturing and construction. For instance, the unemployment rate for blacks is expected to reach 27 percent in Michigan, which has been shedding auto industry jobs. Other states with jobless rates above 20 percent for blacks are Alabama, Illinois, Ohio and South Carolina."

[barb162]

13. manufacturing jobs offshored for starters. n/t.

[kelly1mm]

2. Isn't unemployment at a 25 year high among all demographics? nt

[avaistheone1]

3. I believe it is.

[TheMadMonk]

8. Well that's a lovely furphy* dahling.

*Red Herring.

Exactly that was said in the article.

However, the real point being made, and what you appear to be attempting a distraction from is that the non-white (particularly black) unemployment rate has risen MUCH FASTER than the white unemployment rate.

[avaistheone1]

9. Bingo.

Both are unacceptable. No fun having no visible means of support no matter what your color.

[TheMadMonk]

16. You still seem to be missing the point.

In times of crisis, racist undercurrents rise to the surface.

Another poster has made the point that industries where minorities are over-represented have been the hardest hit, and that that is what is being reflected in these statistics. However, I strongly suspect that even in industries where these same minorities are under-represented, they are still over-represented in the unemployment statistics.

[kelly1mm]

11. Thanks for the new word. Maybe you should send it to the reporter

at the WaPo and/or his editors who came up with the headline for this article. My opinion is that the collapse of the construction sector has had a devastating effect on black/hispanic/male employment as is eluded to in the article.

[BunkerHill24]

4. This is exactly what the CBC was addressing and warning about

Sadly some in the M$M interpreted such that they were looking for preferential treatment from Obama administration.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[intheflow]

7. But-- but-- but-- how can this be?!

Now that Obama's president we live in a post-racial America!



:eyes:

[provis99]

10. well, I guess record unemployment is a change we can believe in...

Thankyou Obama! Yes, We Can be unemployed!!

[intheflow]

17. You're blaming Obama for unemployment?

You tink massive unemployment happens like this overnight, in the course of one year? This is still nuclear fallout from being fucked over by Republicans for 30 years. If a car has lost its brakes going down mountain is going to be able to be stopped on a dime? Get a historical perspective.

[Blandocyte]

12. Always hits minorities hardest n/t

[barb162]

14. sickening n/t

[defendandprotect]

15. Also, recently heard a report that seemed like 1% of AA are in prison !!!

WHEN are we going to get some prison reform!!!???

[jonathon]

18. Wow, if that is the official rate then the real rate could be in the mid twenties or higher

That is disgraceful.