Black Unemployment

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Apr 11 2013

Counting the Cost

Unemployment rates were “little changed” in March 2013; they were either holding steady or dropping by a tenth of a percentage point or so. The unemployment rate dropped from 7.7 to 7.6 percent representing a steady, if painstakingly slow, decrease. This declining unemployment rate was reported with some circumspection because even as the rate dropped, nearly half a million people left the labor market, presumably because they could not find work.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Mar 14 2013

Counting the Cost

When unemployment rate data were released on Friday morning, commentators replied joyfully. Alan Krueger, who heads the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), described the creation of 247,000 jobs as a victory, since the predictions were that the economy would only generate 170,000 jobs.

Unemployment rates went down to 7.7 percent, while predictions were that they would only drop to 7.8 percent. Some might call this good news, but many might wonder who is affected by this good news.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 3 2013

Counting the Cost

How will African American people improve our situation in 2013? Right now, we have higher unemployment than any other population in our nation, less wealth, higher school dropout rates, and more crime in our communities.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 20 2012

Counting the Cost

We have learned that African American unemployment rates stayed level last month with an absurdly high official unemployment rate of 14.1 percent.

Unemployment rates for African American men fell, while those for African American women rose. These rates are way too high and understate the extent of pain that exists in the African American community.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jul 12 2012

Counting the Cost

The unemployment rate has hovered above 8 percent for several months, most recently holding ground at 8.2 percent; the same as last month.

Meanwhile the African American unemployment rate went up, technically to 14.4 percent, and we all know that means the real rate is even higher—in excess of 25 percent.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.