African American 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.

Nov 8 2012

Many millennials looking for work

Demographics were the talk of Tuesday’s election—White voters, male voters, single women voters, Hispanics, African Americans and of course, young voters—the 18-29 year olds (millennials) who represent America’s future and a key swing demographic in many of the battleground election states, according Paul T. Conway, president of Generation Opportunity.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jan 12 2012

The reality if different for Blacks

The unemployment rate is falling for the third month in a row, and in December about 200,000 private sector jobs were created. The monthly unemployment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that unemployment has declined by six-tenths of a percentage point since August. Already, some economists are saying we can expect another decline next month.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Feb 10 2011

Competition for jobs still high

PALMDALE, Calif.—It has been said when America has a cold, Black America has pneumonia. But when it comes to employment, Blacks may be near the bread lines.

The University of California’s Center for Labor Research and Education in Berkeley published a study last month about Black unemployment rates across the nation, indicating that the disproportional margin of unemployment is still in dire straits.

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.