I recently read an article on "Yahoo" News that says the Employment rate for Black Men is at an all time low. The article states that out of all black men over the age of 20, only 56.9% of them have jobs. Compare this to white men who are employed at a 68.1 percent clip and you can see that something is wrong here. Among blacks it's not just the men that are suffering. Just 51.5% of blacks across the board compared to 59.5% of whites are employed the numbers show. That's the lowest rate for blacks since 1984. These employment rates are calculated differently from the top line unemployment rate, which includes only those actively looking for work. What could be causing this record high of unemployment in the black community?
The first thing to consider is the education level of those looking for employment. The schools in the black community for the most part are having trouble giving the proper education children need to be successful. School programs are constantly being cut, teacher pay is a joke, and the people that suffer are our children. Another reason is the disproportionate amount of blacks in the prison system. One of our highest concerns of ours doing this blog is to get our youth to stay out of prison. A lot of our attention is focused on parents being there to teach their kids right from wrong.
The hiring practices of these companies are being called into question as well. Online job listings have been telling applicants that have been unemployed for six months or more will not be considered for employment. The federal government is probing whether such listings illegally discriminate against blacks that are disproportionately likely to among the jobless.
The social and political impact of continued high black unemployment and underemployment could be measured by homelessness, foreclosures, health issues, among other ways. But the most troublesome lingering problem may be the destruction of the dreams of young people. We cannot allow these disparaging statistics to define us. If you are currently looking for a job, stay positive, do not get discouraged and you will be successful in your search for a satisfying job. Take this time to reconnect with your love ones. Spend the extra time in between looking for a job with your family. Most of all be confident in your abilities and the special qualities that you bring to a potential employer.
We all have hardships and losing a job is not an easy one to deal with. One of the nicest co workers I have just informed me he lost his house and has no place to live. He doesn't even know where he will lay his head this very evening, and he actually has a job, how sad these times are for some. I encourage us all to do the best we can to encourage others, uplift others, and bring a smile to someone's face, you never know what that person may be enduring.
Yes there is becoming a new type of homeless, "employed" homeless, not like it used to be where you get a job at the local mill then buy a house, car, and a boat while the old lady stays home and watches the kids.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea employers were making provisions like "if you've been unemployed over 6 months you won't be considered", whats up with that? This is the first I've heard of it but sounds like a form of discrimination to me.
Thanks for the comment. I was shocked to see those hiring practices as well. There has to be something done to stop these shady practices. It is sad to see people who are good employee's losing jobs.
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