Is the Black unemployment gap due to racism?
To many the answer is automatically “yes” because the number simply shows that whites are doing better than us. And of course anytime whites are doing better than us in ANYTHING, it is due to racism, right?
Here are some points that I brought up in an earlier post. Points you will not hear in the depressing press releases that focus on this particular issue:
-During the 1990’s, illegal immigration was at a minimum in comparison to today’s market. Illegals tend to gravitate towards the same sectors (blue collar, labor, manufacturing) as many Black folks.
-Since 9/11, many of these same sectors have gone through major transitions that include massive layoffs and overseas relocations.
-An incarceration rate that has not decreased in decades:(At least, based on the studies I have seen). The disproportionate amount of Black men we have in the prison system directly affects our income potential as a community. Even when many of these men do get out of prison, many employers are not too anxious on hiring them. There are plenty who do get around this hurdle, but it usually requires a lot more work than the average employee. (link to post).
The requirements for entry into the blue-collar sector have become more demanding over the years. The following are a couple of excerpts from a presentation given by the North Carolina American Diploma Project:
>>Blue-collar jobs require high-level skills
Requirements for draftsmen:
Recommended high school courses include
Geometry and Trigonometry.
Draftsmen may wish to seek additional study in
mathematics and computer-aided design to keep up
with technological progress within the industry.
Requirements for electricians:
Recommended high school courses include Algebra,
Geometry, Trigonometry and Physics.
Requirements for iron workers:
Recommended high school courses include Algebra, Geometry
and Physics.
Requirements for sheet metal workers:
Four or five years of apprenticeship
Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and technical reading
Requirements for tool and die makers:
Four or five years of apprenticeship and/or postsecondary
training
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics
Sources: American Diploma Project, 2002; The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
These are just a few examples of skilled blue-collar jobs. As I indicated earlier, the manufacturing sector has gone through some drastic changes over the years including the relocation of facilities to countries like China. These two area alone account for a signifficant amount of the Black work force. More from the Diploma Project:
“We haven’t expected all students to graduate from high school college- and work-ready. State standards reflect consensus about what is desirable, not what is essential
Only 2 states required algebra II for graduation
State tests measure 8th and 9th grade knowledge and skills.
High school accountability rarely focuses on graduation rates or on college- and work-readiness.”
This is what happens when you lower standards in the name of promoting diversity.
In an article found in this month’s edition of Black Enterprise, someone made the comment that while ethnicity can be a huge benefit for those looking for employment or starting a business, most employers will look consider quality over ethnicity in most cases.
So is racism the sole cause of the unemployment gap? A closer look at ALL the contributing issues will show that the problem is a lot more complex than the general assumption.
Other articles worth the read:
