UMMM…HELLO!! The recession hurts everyone…black, white, yellow, brown, whatever! Recession sees no color! To say that it hurts one class more than another is absurd! Whites are being hit just as bad as blacks or anyone else.

And as far as getting a job goes it’s just as hard for anyone else also. I know several people who were laid off because of this bad economy and they haven’t found work yet even though they’ve tried everything.

So stop doing the woe is me thing here! Everyone has it bad now!!

Cindy…Ga.

What they are saying is blacks as a whole are not getting the jobs after being laid off. Just because you know a few of your freinds who were laid off does not show the overall disparity between the two compared groups.

Now that we have Cindy’s extensive study by talking to her friends/families, we can safely ignore all the statistics and research done by the professionals.

Brava, Cindy! I have been looking for a way to try & cope by getting a second job….and have been looking since NOVEMBER! Still don’t have it, have given up my cable, a balanced diet, and my cat….what’s next?

BTW: I’m SWF, 42 years old….. You don’t have to be “of color” to have issues with this economy.

I kind of agree, I know plenty of friends in the northeast with college degrees that are laid off and in search. This is truly a tough time for all americans and not just one group.

1% of black males have successfully obtained a place in cooperate America and 60% of white Americans believe that this is a great improvement since the 1960’s.

Did I hear you correctly, Soledad? I caught a little of your report a few minutes ago while watching CNN. I’m watching now, can you repeat your poll numbers please?

Thank you for your wonderful reporting.

Cindy from GA….calm down. Of course, many Americans are going through tough times. Since you mentioned other racial groups, I’m interested to know what are the effects of a recession of those racial groups. In the recession of 1980-82, were 50% of white, yellow, or brown teens unemployed? Perhaps, CNN is doing the responsible thing by shedding light on several issues that disproportionately affect a large population of Americans. Two segments devoted to addressing problems within the Black community out of CNN’s 24/7, 365 day news coverage, doesn’t consitute a “whoa is me thing.” I applaud this blog and CNN’s “Black in America” segment and hope that some good will come out of this for all Americans.

Recession DOES hurt EVERYONE!!!

I am SO sick of these black man fathering children that they are not able to support and thinking nothing of it!! Also, black women becoming pregnant by these black men and even having More children. The children then suffer becoming a burden on society. Maybe they would not have it so hard if they did not have all of these children.

I believe one the stories last night (I did NOT watch the whole show) was about a women at a young age getting pregnant - she did not use contraception) and then getting pregnant again THREE more times.

Something here has to change!!! Society cannot support them (although they expect it) take a little responsibility (Obama is right) and then maybe recession would not be so hard.

I agree with Cindy from Ga, everyone is hurting right now due to the economy. But I think there is a larger percentage of black people who fall in the middle to lower class pay categories. This is why their percentages are higher. Poorer people do not have the same advantages and resources. This is true across the board, no matter what race, religion, or color you are.

it ticks me off that blacks always have a chip on their shoulder. If this article was called ” Recession and White America” the blacks would consider it racist. Martin Luther King wanted us to all be equal. Welcome to the Equal World !!!!!! White, black, asian, whatever, none of us can get jobs right now. Its not just a black thing. Get over it !!!!!!

This is based on past statistics… When you look back it has been harder for african americans to get back to work after being laid off. Now of course there are some who might get lucky and others who do not. First of all alot of African Americans do not whine woe is me, the government did this and that they work, eat and sleep like you they might have more issues to deal with but its not diffrent if you keep grouping poeple you show how you truly are.

I am a young African-American college student writing this comment from the library on campus. How many other black students,in the last one hour, have entered or left the library in the middle of summer to study besides myself…..TWO!!!

That’s part of the problem in the community. We have to raise our standards and have black students complete high school so they can go on to college and compete for better paying jobs. Education is not the only answer, but one of the major solutions to raising the standard of living in the black community.

A recession does affect a lot of people, businesses, and families. Let’s face it…. it can have a dominoe effect on other areas of our life. So, one should try to walk in a person of color’s “shoes” and seek to understand first. Even during a healthy economy none of us our color blind. We have come a long way in race relations in this country, however there are still some lingering discrepancies. Therefore, it is not a surprise that a recession can hit minorities significantly. Why does it hit them hard. Well, they do not have a substantial economic, political, or social position in this country to have any real power to withstand the negative downturns of our economy. Job interviewers do look at race, even if they are not supposed to…

Perhaps the question is, WHY they were laid off (recession and cut backs yes, but were they at the bottom of the totem poll for being poor workers?), and did they whole-heartedly seek a replacement job?

Funny thing. I was laid off a few months ago - but my company retained the Black employees for fear of being sued for discrimination.

It is very easy to look at the statistics - and they probably prove that Black people have a harder time, but that does not give me any solice.

Many companies reasoning is that it is hard to find and recrute qualified Black employees, if they lay them off during a recession they will not be able to hire the same number back - so white, under 40 men go first. You might want to check on that statistic too.

When I hear advocate for ‘afirmative action’ expound on the good it has done - I wonder if they know it has taken food out of the mouths of my children.

Cindy,

You are correct. Everyone’s hurts in a recession - but that’s not the point of this article. The concern is that our global competitive position is at risk.

The issue is the level of pain and the aggregated circumstances afflicted on any group - and why. Look at the disparities in the unemployment rates. Look at the education disparities. Why? These are not recession differences, these are societal concerns.

Wait! No, excuses. Just perspectives.

You mentioned that everyone has it bad - now. Maybe your bad is everyone else’s normal (no work for 6 months) - and now their bad is worse(no work for 12 months).

Gregg
Duke MBA, Class of 199_
Unemployed

As for blacks losing alot of jobs: the car manufacturers have a proportionately higher rate of “minorities”, which means a higher % are going to get hurt in the crunch of unemployment. But it also meant they were getting some pretty good wages. And we all know what’s happened in the car biz.

Blacks arent getting laid off any more than other workers. However, the line of work might be focus.

RE: ” And when a recession hits, blacks take longer to regain employment after the economy recovers.”….. Had it occured to you that maybe MAYBE certain people dont WANT to get off their unemployment benefits and arent trying to SPRING back into the workforce? As for the black teens being unemployed, perhaps some of them have SIDE jobs that one wouldnt report as employment?

Cindy ^5: yer right on as usual.

Calvin from Lousiana: ^5 to you as well. I personally have seen with my public school education and now my sons that black students are being done a terrible disservice in school by getting a free ride through classes instead of schools truly being interested in the kids learning. PARENTS: if you dont care about your childrens education: the rest of the world doesnt either.

No matter how much Americans HATE to hear how much harder it is for Blacks in America, it does not change the facts or statistics…facts and stats do not care about how tired you are of hearing about it , it doesn’t care about how much you try to keep it under wraps.

I hear White Americans saying time and time again that “slavery and racism is over…let’s put it behind us…let’s get over it already”.

I am curious to know if some Americans wonder what would be the long lasting adverse affects on White Amercans if they were enslaved for over 200 years?? And need I remind those of you that think racism is a thing of folk stories of the long gone past…there are still some people around who have witnessed thier relatives being lenched and have themselves suffered and still suffer racism.

Remember…You don’t ask the rapist if the rape is over with…you ask the one who was raped.

I grew up in the inner city of New Orleans and used to own a Red 944
Porsche Turbo. The Popo would treat me like a cheap watch, meaning they would stop me every second. In fact , more often than not they would ask me who’s car I was driving. Frankly, I would
find great pleasure in showing the officers my registration,insurance and license. On another occasion one of my coworkers asked me.
How could I afford to drive a Porsce? I said, easy when my note comes in the mail I pay it. I could write a Novel on the number of times that I have experienced racism.

Cindy -
I agree with you that the recession hurts everyone; however, let us focus on the important details of the article.

“as the unemployment rate increases for the population overall in a recession, the increase among blacks is roughly double. And when a recession hits, blacks take longer to regain employment after the economy recovers.”

The article is not trying to take away the pain of any other race, but it is clearly pointing out that in this current society blacks are getting hit harder because of the lower wages they naturally get, the lack of education they receive, and the jobs they are not given due to their skin color (females are affected in similar manners due to their gender). I am sure that you know some white people who are getting hit harder than some black people, I understand; but the fact remains that the majority of blacks are getting hit harder than the majority of whites due to circumstances before the recession. Let us not be foolish by assuming otherwise! I am 26, black, and well-educated…let me make it clear — I am the exception! I have never used my color as an excuse even when it was clearly a factor, but I cannot tell anyone else that it is not a valid excuse. The numbers in my neighborhood are crystal clear: 3 out of 20 kids made it to college…the rest didn’t finish high school!

The picture is bigger than this article and the recession - look around…there is something really wrong in this country!

Patrick
Brockton, MA

I agree with Calvin’s comments. Education is free, so go get it. All this talk about race and discremination in the work force, but all I hear is black and white. I put an add in the paper for cabinet assembler when I first opened my small business. I received several calls (not a single african american) and hired 4 guys. Two of the hires were white and the other two were hispanic. The two white guys didnt show up half the time, using multiple excuses, and eventually one stop showing up all together. I did my best to offer equal opportunity to work, and in the end I have to use the guys who show up and want to work.

I can see how statistically blacks have a higher unemployment rate since many might be working in lower less skilled/educated jobs and could be easily be replaced by someone else for even cheaper pay. I say that because Google tries so hard (look up the incentives they offer) to retain their employees - many who come from elite colleges who have much to offer the company and are irreplaceable - otherwise they wouldn’t bother with the incentives they give their employees. The point is the better educated and skilled you are the better chances you have with surviving a recession.

Recession hurt POOR people more than better off people. It does not matter the color. I can’t believe you need to examine this issue

Why is it about Blacks? I and a number of my friends, who are black, are doing just fine.
Why is it not about lower income individuals? Is there a reason that the media keeps the racial issue in the air, besides money? Anytime a black person gets arrested or interviewed by police it is immediately assumed it is about color (three black girls questioned about shoplifting). Maybe it was about them doing something suspicious? Maybe it was about them being young (looking like high schoolers).
Does it not hurt the black community more when they are on the front-page all of the time, which gives some more reason to hate?

Cindy,

You should consider the context in which the story was presented, rather than, again - coming to a conclusion that the entire basis of this story is a “Woe is Me Thing”.

This is a situation that has been presented “With” supporting statistics.

So before you start antagonising accusations, you should consider the context in which the foundation of this story is about.

Perhaps a little education could help.

Cleveland
Pasadena, Ca.

In our MBA school, the black are always the first group to find interns or full-time jobs although their grades are usually below the average, largely because of Affirmative Action.
I think the government’s too much intervene in the market, Affirmative Action and welfare system, hurt the black more than help. Such intervene makes them unable to weather any difficulty in their life.

This entire discussion or blog is absurd. The real focus needs to be placed on the Corporate Tax rate, and bringing our jobs back to this country…

50% of our country is now owned by foreign interest. Was that a part of the vision our founding fathers had for the country?

Black, White . . . blah, blah, blah . . . we all bleed the same color last time I checked.

I cannot wait to educate my 3 year mixed son on how ignorant our culture is.

Whenever the economy is doing well, we see aticles that read “Blacks are not reaping benefits of strong economic growth.” Now that the economic condition is gloomy, we get reports that read “Blacks have it much worse in bad economy.”

Quit the racial pandering, CNN. Enough is enough.

I’ve read all of the blogs and a majority of them lack compassion. Through all of your political talk, there’s no mention of God anywhere. Whose economy do you rely on? Man’s or God’s? I belong to the Lord and with that comes understanding and discerning of the times and compassion for those who are caught in the storm. Yes Cindy all are feeling it, yes countless other brothers and sisters blacks feel it first and the deepest. But if you put God first, He will sustain you through the storm. He may not deliver us from it, but endow us with His spirit and power to endure. Now we’ve asked him to leave our schools, our home, our lives and look at what has happened. He has brought man’s wisdom TO NOTHING. No analyst predicted this would happen, prevented it from happening and they don’t know quite what to do to provide a quick ‘fix’. The answer is Jesus Christ. We need to love one another and help each other instead of name calling and finger pointing. Remember this, the issues that proceed from out of your mouth tells the condition of your heart and if you lack compassion for your fellow brother/sister regardless of color, the Lord will not hear our cry and heal our land and bring back abundance. Turn to prayer and positive thinking and conversations and watch this economy turn around. After all, it’s pure speculation that drives Wall Street!

Last time I checked the GDP stats, we were not in a recession (even though the media wishes we were).

That raise in the minimum wage that goes into effect today should really help blacks out since it encourages employers to expand their payrolls (sarcasm)…

wow lot of great things being said here but from my life experinece as a while american male, i have been the victim in MANY reverse prejudice situations in my life. i also am sick of hear that it’s so hard being black.

it’s hard for me too, it’s hard for everyone. i do think that some people that are black use it as a scapegoat, and are raised to hate white people. i do believe there’s much more racism towards blacks but i also think that there’s a decent population of blacks that yes have children when they can’t afford to, have the government foot all the bills and continue to hate everyone else. go to school, take responsibility for your actions. how will things ever change if EVERYONE doesn’t do THEIR part?

i pay my taxes, and i don’t believe in supporting people who just don’t care. obiouviously with fewer resources, it may be higher to climb the socioeconomic status ladder but it’s done all the time by people who try.

@Patrick Felix: You seem to be perpetuating the hype that is not there. In the past five years most of the women and blacks I work with make as much or more than the white males (proportionately).
When I see any kind of report that looks at people from an equal point of view (education/experience/work ethic) and can show me that the white male make a higher rate, then I will buy into the hype. Until then I will look at individuals like Pelosi, Clinton, Rice, Obama, Powell… and see how they are living the American Dream like you and I can live the American Dream.

TC…you wrote:
“I am curious to know if some Americans wonder what would be the long lasting adverse affects on White Amercans if they were enslaved for over 200 years??”
and…
“Remember…You don’t ask the rapist if the rape is over with…you ask the one who was raped.”

Were you a slave or raped? If not, how can you comment on those that were feelings?

That’s right how could I forget. The media HAS to portray blacks as victims. The recession hurts everyone and all demographics. Like Calvin said in his post, Blacks need to wake up and educate themselves and improve their station in life without waiting for someone to hand them something for nothing. Black men need to MAN UP and be fathers and positive role models or don’t have kids. Black women need to keep their legs closed until they found someone who will be a MAN and father to his child. Everyone is so tired of hearing about black victims. Good for people like Calvin and Patrick who didn’t rest on the color of their skin but went out and worked hard and educated themselves. Now if only the media would knock off this victimization we might be able to move forward with some kind of race relations.

I live in a very diverse area. Lots of blacks. How come I never meet the well educated, polite, “we just need a chance” type of black folks that this series pretends all blacks are???
98% of the blacks I meet, have terrible attitudes, think that I owe them a living, and hate me for the color of my skin. If you don’t bend over backwards to kiss their tail, your somehow a racist. Not only that, but if your a minority white, who goes to black majority school, your going to be a target for violence. Just anyone whose ever been in that situation.

I don’t owe them anything. Every nationality comes to this country and makes their own way without whining that the whole world is keeping them down.
The Asians and Hispanics are getting their share of the American dream without a handout from whitey. How comes the blacks can’t do it?

If black folks want to really get ahead,
Pull your pants up, learn to speak english, start respecting each other, the law, and the neighborhoods you live in.

Quit asking for handouts, quit squirting out babies you don’t want and can’t afford. Learn how to put in a days work for a days pay, and get your share of the American dream without anyone’s help.

Maybe if the high school graduation rate of young black men was better than 48%, they wouldn’t have so much of a hard time finding a job. But hey, it’s a lot easier to have multiple childen, live off the government, and sell drugs than it is to actually educate yourself and work for a living. I guess that’s why I work in higher education but still shop at Goodwill while my neighbors are unemployed but are wearing a different pair of $160 Nike shoes every day.

If you want a solution to the problem, look at the cultural values. What’s lacking is sheer work ethic and doing the right thing. I don’t care about blacks being slaves 200 years ago because I didn’t own one and I don’t know anyone alive today who knows somebody who was a slave. We all have the same opportunity in America today - minorities often moreso than whites - it’s all just a matter of WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO WITH IT.

Hello,

This is painting this issue with a VERY selective and broad based brush. The fact of the matter is that education ultimately leads to better jobs. It is well understood that with greater education your skill sets and ultimately your marketability improves. When a recession hits the first to go are the low wage labor. That is not racism that is corporate survival.

A broader question that should be asked is why in this day in age are there so many people that missed the bus on education. Does society or the culture preclude or rather prevent individuals from success?

Cindy,
While I agree with you that a recession hurts everyone. However, I believe it affects the black community more so than any other groups. For starters, we are doing the ones with the crappy and low paying jobs and have to make due with the same amount of money or less. when the price of everything from milk to gas have risen. We’re are not looking for your pity, it’s just a fact and have always been so. What planet have you been living on?

ML, NY

Patrick, get a life…everyone has it tough, especially now.

I too would like to understand better (including a better sample base for the conclusion reached) why blacks are impacted differently than Latino/Asian. anyone, regardless of color, is being impacted. those in the lower wage earning scales or not earning wages at all (Welfare/ social security, etc.) are certainly more greatly impacted than those in the upper wage scales. While blacks may make up a majority of the lower wage scales, to run a headline like that was run is clearly pandering to blacks and provoking the race issue for the sake of gathering headlines. is this what is in store for the next four years, if we elect a black to the white house? seems like an editor should be above this - but then again, most editors seem to think their entire realm of responsiblity is categorized as “editorial” and none in the “report the facts objectively” category.

Get over it and do something about it. Stop blaming all of your misfortunes on being black. I am broke too, but I know that it has nothing to do with my race.

CNN, enough already ! I am sick and tired of how the mainstream media foments anger by portraying one group of victims as out-victimizing another.

When are you going to start some serious reporting on real issues, like how our Federal Government is robbing every single white, black, yellow, and purple male and female U.S. taxpayer blind with its money-printing and bailouts ?

EVERYBODY is going to be hurting in the next few years and to hand out excuses to a group of people to sit around and feel sorry for themselves will just fracture us.

What we need is grassroots UNITY and to do something like OUST the people we currently have in government that brought this nation to insolvency.

This whole article is laughable. EVERYONE is being affected by the economy. Race has nothing to do with it. I am so sick and tired of hearing how whites have it better. Really? Is that why many extremely qualified white people will losr their job out to a black person just so the company can pad their statistics?

EDUCATION is key! If black america would quit having children when they are 14 and 15 then maybe we would have more responsible adults in this world. Black men need to quit abadoning their children they have. Newsflash…society can not and will not tolerate this any longer. We wonder why our schools are in such bad shape. Part of the reason is that the PARENTS do not care. I have numerious friends who teach in public schools and the stories they tell us are absolutely aweful!!!!!!!

I am voting for Obama and hope he wins…this way black american can no longer blame the rest of the world for their own problems! CNN should be ashamed for digging into this topic and dividing the country even further.

Are blacks ever racist? No, thats not possible is it.

Recession doesn’t target color. LAWS make certain that a certain number of blacks will receive jobs even if a more qualified white candidate is available (see affirmative[discriminatory] action). Perhaps less blacks are applying for jobs.

The sheer number of protective laws and aid programs available to a black person as compared to another race is staggering.

Remember that this article is based on statistics gathered by it’s author. If you have ever taken a statistics course then you know you can select statistice and warp the numbers to say virtually anything you want, even if the exact OPPOSITE of what you are saying is what is supported by facts. To quote Walt Whitman “There are three kinds of lies. A little white lie. A damned lie. And statistics.”.

So when are we getting a “White in America” special? Discrimination.

I think CNN is now in competition with BET for Black America. Economy hurts everybody not only black, white or browns. I don’t see CNN have any articles on Lationos to find how much they got hurt in this economy. Lationo work hard in the jobs that most americans including yes blacks does not want to do (cleaning hotels etc.).

We need to stop this madness to woo the blacks since Obama is a nominee for US president. This country gets too much emotional and polarized for everything without looking at the facts.

I still remember CNN’s role to drum up support for Iraq war and look where it took us and how much we are paying for the stupidity.

Cindy,
You missed the point of the story completely.

Josh,
Maybe you should tell your kids that you did not provide enough value to your company for them to choose you over a black worker.

That is just another case of looking for blame where none exists.

The recession hits african americans more because they have always been at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to income. Now the recession is hitting every ethnic group and there will no longer be a middle class; but the have and have nots.

Is there a reason why society needs to give everyone a crutch? You are poor, you are black, you are female…
Makes one wonder how Korean, Mexican, Japanese, Jamaican, Russians… Do not see to have the same issues as the blacks.

Is it because the society/media is giving blacks a crutch?

The thing that is wrong is that a majority of people expect the Government to do everything for them. God forbid welfare stopped, then what would everyone do?

I am white and middle class. My family is suffering from the recession but I do not hear about “being white in America”.

How about people just work hard and get a job that will pay your bills instead if looking for that prefect job. People should learn to live below their means instead of buying everything they see on payday.

It was funny to see, but black people have suffered for years and have been able to survive but as soon as a white person has the same issues, there is a problem. As Claire Huxable said one day on the Cosby Show, MISERY DOES NOT LIKE COMPANY.

One of the poorest things I’ve ever read. The author implies that race is the reason for disparities then goes on to explain why disparities exist reguardless of race. For race to be the reason for you must eliminate as many other variables including education and local job markets. This isn’t rocket science.

I would just like to know when the middle class is going to get some help! We are a financially responsible family of four (two children, two parents) who bust our butts to pay our bills…(just regular monthly bills, we cut cable, cut our phone and have zero credit card debt because we want to be debt free and work very hard at it. If we can’t pay cash, we either don’t need it or can’t afford it.) Yet we make way too much to get help from State or Federal but we may way too little to easily make ends meet.

Also, we bust our butt to pay our mortgage and now there’s all this help for people in foreclosure?? How about living in your means and purchasing homes you can afford and then lets see if we need to help people out of their stupid and foolish financial decisions!

Blacks are always the victims. Bla bla bla….. Same old stuff over and over and over. How about taking responsibility for yourselves and your families and quit blaming everyone else.

July 24th, 2008 11:34 am ET

1% of black males have successfully obtained a place in cooperate America and 60% of white Americans believe that this is a great improvement since the 1960’s.

Did I hear you correctly, Soledad? I caught a little of your report a few minutes ago while watching CNN. I’m watching now, can you repeat your poll numbers please?

Thank you for your wonderful reporting.
+++++++++++++++++++++=

It is tough to obtain a place in corporate America when you don’t have 2 parents taking care of you as a family. The truth of the matter is that their is competition for these jobs, and an individual who has two parents making sure that they are doing their hw is going to have an advantage over someone whose family is not encouraging them. If blacks do not want a family that is their own choice, but please do not act like the repurcussions are due to racism or descrimination.

I do not doubt that Blacks, based on percentage points, have a more difficult time during a recession than Whites. However, I am curious on how the raw numbers play out. It is unfortuante that a large percentage of poor people are Black, but that does not mean Blacks are the only racial group that is poor. Where, Hispanics included in the Black racial category? Either way, the real problem is that POOR people, as a whole, are suffering. It shouldn’t matter what race they are because the solutions for alleviating their suffering are the same as any other race. We do not need a “Black in America” or “Latino in America” or “Asian in America” or “Persian in American” or “Indian in America” or even “White in America.” How about “Suffering in America.”

It is unfortunate that we continue to be shocked by the results of the inadequacies in the American system, yet do nothing to address the root problems. We racialize things that aren’t color related at all. The recession will hurt those without adequate education and wealth the most regardless of skin color. Poor whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, et.al, will all suffer. Affluent whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, et.al, will not feel the pinch as much. To make black people seem more dysfunctional than others speaks to the inherent racism of the “Black in America” series. It makes it seems as though blacks are outliers and so different than others that it perplexes us as to why issues exist.

I am a 27 year old black male teacher who has taught in all black schools, rural white schools, overseas, and now in a major urban area. The issues do not change due to race. People have issues. PEOPLE. Black people need to stop using the crutch of “The Man” and understand that different obstacles will arise that must be overcome, but obstacles arrive in everyone’s life. Just because the obstacles aren’t the same doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges for others as well.

I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist. It would be naive to believe so. However it cannot be used as an excuse for one to continue to realize one’s potential.

I think a better article would be to research % of black and white Americans with high school degrees who get laid off during recession. The article does mention that more blacks loose jobs because of their education. However after the title of the article makes it appear that Cindy is trying to portray that there is a bias in hiring. I don’t think there is any bias in hiring. Sometimes I have seen bias in hiring blacks because the companies are eager to show that they have significant portion of black employees.

So did you bother to even look at how the Whites, Hispanics, Asians and everybody else has been affected? Maybe they are affected even more. Do you even care to find out? And I don’t mean go pick people from affluent neighborhoods either, pick people from the same level you are choosing to pick the blacks from. This is the very reason why there is so much hatred and discrimination. Your focus is only on blacks and nobody else in this Country. Everyone of all races his hurting from this recession, particularly the poor. All of the poor, poor whites, poor asians, poor hispanics, poor blacks. Recessions don’t discriminate, only the liberal media does.

Why don’t you try highlighting positive things about Blacks? There are plenty of success stories out there, try doing something positive for a changes rather than inciting more hatred.

The dominant culture had 200 year headstart in building their wealth off the backs of slaved African Americans, free labor for 200 years. We will never be equally proportioned to the dominant culture. Recession, unemployment and all of those thing s will have a different effect on this group altogether. with the push back on Affirmative action programs things thing will only get worst for young African Americans, there is no such thing as equal opportunity, not in America, jobs are more readily available to young whites than young blacks. If you don’t believe that then you are living on another planet.

Josh, I just want to touch on what you wrote. I don’t feel that anyone should lose their job or be hired for a job because of their race. I also don’t necessarily agree with affirmative action because although it creates opportunity, it also creates animosity. But you have to look at the reason why affirmative action was put into place. A lot of white americans blame blacks for affirmative action and for how it has affected them. It’s not our fault. But whether we like it or not, racism will always exist, especially in the workplace. Some people call affirmative action reverse racism. There can be no reverse without a source. I’m all for getting rid of affirmative action once the source of racism has decided that it is immoral and dehumanizing. I feel for you though, man. I hope things get better for you.

I’m a black woman and this article is stupid… sorry… but it is… if there was no recession they would be in the same predicament… seriously can we stop this unnecessary rhetoric already?

Whinners.
black in america are being hit harder. its true.
but immigrants are being hit the hardest.
not to be rude to the african american, but being african american is a walk in the park compared to be illegal immigrant. immigrants are people too, they suffer this economic downfall worst than anyone else.
the difference…?
illegal immigrants cant complaint.
they have families just like african americans, but they dont exist.
is it black todays color to aknowledge?
i say, some attention should be put on brown.

Why make it about race? People with fewer financial reserves are hit harder by recessions. It may be the case many black people have few financial reserves, but it is an economic issue not a race issue.

My first comment is to TC - Were you ever a slave?

Secondly, I would like to see the statistics to show the number of black teens to white teens that apply for jobs. When you look at all of the statistics you can get a better picture.

Wow. White people really don’t get it. I thought that perhaps CNN,’s focus on some of our issues would help White America to actually start to understand there IS a difference. But the attitutes displayed by most of the commentors show that the reason why Blacks still are affected by racism is that people are still not willing to look at their own prejudices and attitudes. The same attitudes you take to the workplace, schools and streets. Someone actually said if we stoped having all these kids, we would not be affected by the recession. Nice.

I hope you all start to read analytically. When someone presents facts, it is menat for you to learn something.

I think you guys are al morons… Please stop playing the race game. I am a 23 year black male, with a degree in biology from a private university, and currently in the last year of my legal studies. I have a job at a firm lined up, and am currently a director for a non-profit organization, as well as a myriad of other credentials which I need not get into now

Having said that, I think my resume, would well exceed may of you idiots who are making ignorant comments here. prior to entering law school, I had a tough time finding a job. Was it because of my race? (Maybe) Was it because of my youth? (maybe) I can list a number of other potential elements that would have contributed to the fact that I had a difficult time finding a job. Point being that there are too many factors to consider for one to specifically identify race as the end-all-be-all cause of the problems. I think further research is necessary.
Although I have suffered covert racism on may different levels, all of us need to stop bickering over race, learn persaverance, and push through the rough time.
Americans in general are soft. Always looking for an excuse, or a magic pill. Sop being lazy, and create your own destiny, black, white, rich, poor, educated, or ill-educated.

Chris from philly

For the most part, jobs are created by the mainstream white corporate culture (even low-skill jobs). Higher education for blacks helps but there is a real bias against blacks because of their ‘hip-hop’ culture or peculiar mannerisms which does not mesh well with the corporate white culture. It seems that college educated professional blacks that I work with have adopted behavior/mannerisms that do mesh with the mainstream corporate culture. Education/experience and behavior exhibited during the interview process does make a difference.

tc,
Remember you can’t say anything about slavery due to the fact that Blacks were also selling thier own to whites to come to America. The fact is that hystory was what happened in the past and we as Americans must learn from that and move on to improve matters in our country. Obama was wrong to single out Black men as not being good fathers. next time he needs to gather all men; black, white, brown, yellow, and green. and tell them to be a man you need to take care of your kids. THAT MAKES A MAN……..

I think there’s a terrible lack in black leadership in this country. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Farrakhan are all opportunistic snake oil salesmen. Only what they’re selling isn’t tonic, it’s entitlement. An attitude that garners no respect whatsoever from the larger white population. Instead of focusing on blacks taking some responsibility for education pulling themselves up through adversity and bias, they lean on it as a crutch and an excuse for failure.

I went to a predominantly blue collar white college northeast of Pittsburgh. Because my school was didn’t have the “correct mix” racially they were at risk of not qualifying for federal/state funds. They literally sent buses to inner city philly and pittsburgh and brought black kids to school *for free*.

A black friend who lived on my floor in my major had literally a .7 for his first year (schools policy on grades was anything under 2.0 probation for a semester kicked out the next if it didn’t come up). Two years later he was still getting a free ride (changed major to the easiest thing he could find) and had a cumulative 1.3 gpa after three years.

So yeah, there’s a lot of bias in the world, and it doesn’t all go against blacks… where are the CNN news articles about those?

Could not have said it better Melissa. Excuses Excuses Excuses for not going out there and getting an education

We do not have to see the actual statistics in order to see the big picture here. As Cindy and many others state so, we are ALL struggling. Maybe if we stop collecting statistics on all things black and dangle the results in everyone’s face, people will stop being so damn angry on the issues and we can all just GET ALONG. It’s just time to stop collecting this typically inaccurate data, stop crying and just keep truckin’ along. The stats are only there to stir things up. The fact of the matter here is that AMERICA is in serious economic crisis. I’m an educated white female in her 30’s who can’t even get a job at Barnes & Noble at this point. I live in my parent’s basement and I job search as if it’s my actual job. The last thing I need right now is to hear that some “black” person has it worse than me. We ALL have it bad. I’m actually quite lucky to even have a place to stay during this bad time in my life. So whatever your color may be, please stop looking at this as an issue of color and realize that we are ALL in very deep trouble.

Good luck to ANYONE AND EVERYONE who may be out of work right now. It is pure daily torture… even for those around us with jobs.

Also, this isn”t 1980-1982. The Country has greatly improved since then. And it takes everyone time to recover from the recession. It takes others even longer depending on how bad they were hit, but just by having black skin doesn’t mean it takes even longer. That’s a case by case and you should do a more thorough, fair study.

Any way you slice it, White people are privileged over black people. As a White person I have to work hard to stand up for the fact that most White people have a limited view of Black’s as a whole. I live in a mostly Black community and it is harder for lower educated Black people to find decent paying jobs. It is not as hard for White people with the same education to find decent paying jobs. Being in education, I see that the scales tip toward making sure our White middle class and Upper class are better educated in American. So while racism does not exist anymore in some people’s eyes, it is still alive and in effect in many of the educational policies in American. Would you send your child to a public school with limited resources, bad facilities and poor funding. No, of course you would strive not to, but unfortunately most poor Black people have no choice and no knowledge that there is a choice. I am taking a human stance not a racial stance. White people have privilege over the Blacks and once again it is our responsibility to make sure we are not abusing this and fighting to make it more balanced in politics and education.

TC, you talk about the adverse effects that slavery still has on the blacks of today. Wonder what kind of effects Jesus Christ stil endures? That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. Think about all the gangs and killings and the effects this has on the families of the victims. Most of these gangs are either blacks or hispanics and the victims are white. You are ridiculous!!!

I know the bad economy hurts everyone, but saying that the BLACK are suffering more is not right. If blacks want to sell the drugs only and dont want to go to school and want to live like those Rappers, then its their problem. Society cant do anything to support them.

I am also sick of these black women and black teen girls, they know only one thing; how to have sex when they are 10 years old or so. They can have as many children as they want, but then dont ask us to support them………………..

Sanjay
Detroit, MI

I guess this is true because the blacks still aren’t edgemcated, right? After all how come impotant blacks continually talk about educating the blacks? Must be because they still need it. Bill Cosby, Jessie J, Obama and evn MLK, talk about the lack of education of the blacks, so whose to blame here, ah let’s see, the blacks?

The article is called ‘recessions AND black america’, and is meant to shine light on the disproportionately unemployed blacks in this country. It does not say that recessions only affect black people. Recession is not an isolated event; by definition it represents the state of a country’s finances. Of course we are all affected, but the statistics are so startling to me because we are talking about numbers. In a country that is predominately white, a minority race has higher unemployment rates, higher teen unemployment rates. How can this be attributed to anything but a societal issue?

Whit
Texas

Recessions affect everyone. The key is Education. Recessions affect the un-educated at a higher rate. So for all people the key is education.
If a country allows its un-educated class to grow to large numbers without investing in them then it will lose it competiveness against the rest of the world. It is also the responsibility of the individual.

Have any of you heard Bill Cosby’s take on “black America” and why the pity is cast on this group of people by the liberal media more often than not. Come people; wake up, put your boots on and go to work. You will not only feel like a better person at the end of the day but you will also receive a real paycheck at the end of the week and then you can tand back and breath a little. Enjoy what you have earned and mabey even help other less fortunate people see the light as well. It’s called resposibility, unfortunately a large percentage of the American population has forgotten what that is is and is expecting a handout from those of us that actually work. So long…

As long as your talking about white, black, and hispanic americans separately, you’ll never be free of the racial bigotry and divisions in America.

Hello everyone - what it really means is that we are not investing in our workforce to meet the needs of the current or changing economy. Many African-Americans who live below the poverty level, as well as everyone else in the same income level, do not have access to the same information, education and resources as others more fortunate - many working poor are without knowledge of where jobs and career ladders are that will help them. The traditional manufacturing jobs that once existed for blue collar folks of all race, colors and creed are gone. So, the larger question is where will be the next equivalent of those jobs, what are the skills in demand (more than a GED or HS diploma?) and how do we connect the working poor to those jobs and the opportunities to obtain those skills. Bear in mind again, that many poor are isolated from resources and opportunities - which includes a very large number of African Americans (one only has to look at public housing locations, transportation and other community ammenities in poor neighborhoods or the lack thereof). This is not an issue of race this is a crisis that unfortunately is hurting many poor African “Americans” most - we should all be concerned.

And for the ignorant people who are bashing blacks for having children out of wed-lock, here on the east caost there are just as many white people having kids that they cant afford. so please stop it.

The headline and topic would actually be relevant if it were “Recession hits poor people hardest”.

Putting the focus on race obscures the fact that many people suffer (and suffer unfairly) that are not black. Making this about all the people affected by the recession helps us measure the real impact as well as develop real solutions that help everybody.

In my own opinion blacks have always suffered even in a stable economy so of course when a reccession comes along BLACKS WILL SUFFER MORE THEN OTHERS. That was the point in gathering up all those statistics. The main reasons for the sufferation in black America is education is not pursued as it should be leading to poor jobs then leading to frustration and those that cannot handle the woes of almost working for nothing will then turn to crime which leads to incarceration. Its all a cycle in Black America when you are born into that environment where all you see is drugs and violence it takes self-motivation and slef-responsibility to overcome your circumstances to reach for a higher education and career. Therefore the black youths will be in a better postion when they are born. Plain and Simple!

The recession has impacted a lot of Americans, regardless of color.

Racism sill exist, but there are more AA millionaires than ever in the US.

Not all black dads are dead beats (pay $7k a month in child support and alimony for my 4 kids and to support a stay at home mom) and participate in all of my kids activities).

Someday we need to focus on our real enemy/competitioon - China, socialism, too much TV, fixing our family law legal system, and our poor education system.

it does not change the facts or statistics???

Please, any fact can be twisted or taken out of context. The percentage of “hurt” blacks is not the only stat we should worry about.

Why not get to the root of the problem, if they don’t finish school. Or if they don’t get the support of their families to perform. And they don’t get “home training”, how are they going to become solid earners? How many of those unemployeable numbers wore cloths that reflected the “gangsta” values that NO employee would want in their business? How many of those that did, even realized that was not the way to present an employable image?

Please, just measure presentage of “low income” regardless of race or as a function of persentage of race in relation to income level. If 50% of blacks are low income and 20% of white are low income, then if 50% of that 50% and 50% of the 20% are having problems, we can see how you can manage the stupid numbers to give what ever you want it to say.

I say, quit allowing jobs to flow OUT of the US, raise the import taxes and forget the other countries level playing field .. We are US and they are THEM. Take care of US.

I am so sick of the blacks getting everything for free and they still want more, like getting paid to do school work while the white kids don’t if it was the other way around it would be racism they get to go to college free white people have to pay there is allot of white people having problems why not have a show about that? Oh wait a minute you can’t for fear of getting sued by the blacks that want everything and more. Well if you are not going to pay me to learn in school I guess I will not learn. Since you are going to pay me then I will learn. It is not fair to the white people. If I get pulled over by a white cop the it is racism I have to only talk to a black officer because I am black but if a white person did that then it would be racism not right. There are alot of black in goverment jobs who can not talk right and they get all these jobs for example go to the VA Hospital 90% are black no white people hardly so don’t try and hand me this line of bull that blacks have it worse then whites. Blacks have more rights the white anymore.
I am sick of this.

Everybody is struggling and loosing their homes. Gas is high for everyone not just Black Americans. When we go to the store, I have yet to see a sign that reads Black America, you pay this much everyone else pays a lower cost. Give me a break. I live in a gated community with a Range Rover and Mercedes parked outside. My neighbor who lives to the right of me and across the street is in foreclosure. By the way, they are a White Family and I’m Black. My mortgage is paid and on time. Please stop trying to encapsulate us as the under achievers in America.

I am a 3rd generation college graduate and my birth canal was open to education, family values and progressiveness. The African Americans that I know are just like me normal tax paying citizens. So where is our story? Why does Black in America portray such a struggle for Black families such as gang activity, drug dealers and broken homes and recession crisis? I have never mirrored your depiction of us as a group of people. Could the answer be there is no sensationalism in showing progressive forward thinking family oriented African Americans, who share and have attained the same dream as White America? Why aren’t we discussing the white woman and her divorce rate? Or white men and their taste for pedophilia behavior? Why aren’t we discussing the domination of white America on welfare and the white girl and her high abortion rate? Why is it that Is your plight not worth noting?

OMG. Racist.

Why is everything about race. Look maybe more people of color happen to have jobs that are hit harder by recession, like construction, jobs in labor sector, etc. Also communities of color also have to take some responsibilities as well. Don’t act like all of the young black men out there are striving for something better only hoping for a break…some are, but other are trying to get it by dealing drugs, gangs, or other thugish behavior. That goes for other groups also to include whites, but you have to admit the fast cash MO’ Money attitude of flash before substance is rampid in black communities. I’m tired of the “Oh we blacks have it so hard…” Look put some effort into something and make better decisions in your life. There are so many black men and women in sports, Hollywood, music, military, media, government…are you saying they are all Uncle Tom’s? Come on… Stop looking for excuses as to why you are not getting the breaks, and go out there and make some through hard work and ethical behavior. That goes for black, white, brown, or purple polka-dotted.
BTW, I’m a 34 MWM, soldier, recent college graduate 2008, IT professional.

Calvin - I go to a college that has a very large percentage of black students. I rarely see them enter the library to study, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

CNN - I should have guessed you wouldn’t allow my last post since I busted you out about picking and choosing statistics and warping them to say what you want them to instead of what the facts actually point to. You probably didn’t like me mentioning affirmative(discriminatory) action and how it makes certain that a specific number of black applicants will receive jobs even if a better qualified white candidate applies.

Hello,
This issue rings true…I am an educated black woman and it is harder for blacks. I know I have to be ten times better than my white counter part in order to get or keep a job and even then It doesn’t mean it’s secure.

Loretta from California,

Maybe it’s because they can’t spell ‘corporate’.

Education helps.

Why are there so many articles on CNN about blacks in america?

Next on CNN White in America what it’s like to have it ALL and not be affected buy Hurricanes,Recessions or any Disaster how do they do it?

STOP WITH Black in America How About … AMERICAN in AMERICA

CNN is really trying to stir up the racism in America, it seems that most of their recent stories are about “black america”… screw that - As far as I’m concerned, you’re either AMERICAN or NOT AMERICAN… stop trying to create a seperation in our nation, CNN. Stop.. It’s pathetic.

Ulysses Tendell…..

Thats not racisim. You drive a red porshe 944 twinturbo which just screams pull me over. Same for me and I’m white, I drive a highly modified red sports car and I get pulled over on a daily bases by all different sorts of cops. And because I’m young I get asked time and time again how did I afford the car…I don’t consider that racism. Face it, you drive a sports car you’re gonna get harashed no matter what color you are.

-Billy

I do agree with Cindy from GA, the economic situation is affecting everyone in the US. I myself am struggling to make ends meat. It sickens me to hear black people complain and whine about their lives, when they do nothing about it or don’t even try to better themselves. Stop whining and do something to better yourself.

Herman
The american dream (an illusion), the corporate ladder (doesn’t exist). You must create your own these days.
There is a limit on welfare, so blacks can’t rely on it for long, if they are on it. Do blacks have bias against white for the most part, do whites have biases against blacks definately. Although I don’t like Don Imus, I can respect him, bcause convert racism is the worse kind, and from many of your comments it sounds like it is definately there. Just come out and say it, you will be more respected.

Chris from Philly

I agree with Nadine Buchko completely; why would someone have kids he/she can’t support? And then expect society to support them?! Learn to take own responsibility first. Everyone has had it hard now - there’s no specific group that’s having it better.

Rob, you are correct. I am a black high school principal. It is time to move past civil rights and recognize that some problems are family, community, etc. When people, for whatever reason, drop out of high school or fail to get properly trained for a skill or profession, they suffer the consequences. The problem is larger in the black community because educational attainment is not as high a priority in our community. There are systemic problems that contribute to the poor educational opportunity but those are problems in several racial, ethic groups. It is time to stop focusing on race and to start focusing on the problems.

Education and proper upbringing starts at home. Skin color has nothing to do with how one conducts themself. If your mother and (hopefully) father didn’t instill proper morals and values in you as a child-you see what appears today….Young Adults thinking the world owes them, Wrong attitudes and not willing to work for what they basically need to strive in a fast pace global environment.

Everyone is harmed by recession, racism, violence, joblessness, you name it. I am tired of hearing about the hardships of select groups of people. I believe that the more focus is placed on race and cultural differences, the more the problems will magnify. If you think it is a problem, then it most assuredly will become a problem. Too many whiners and not enough problem solvers.

The recession hits even harder when people place more importance on what they want as opposed to what they need. Why is it that these young people that lack jobs continue to spend money on $175-$400 sneakers, $30 baseball caps, $60 t-shirts, $100+ jeans, and earrings so large you can use them as plates? Funny how these same kids stand by banks, malls, and other businesses asking for donations or selling candy for basketball camp or whatever lame excuse instead of even looking for a job.

Wow, it seems CNN has decided its mission is to feul the racial discourse in our country. Congratulations, in less than three weeks you have set race relations back several decades. I hope you are proud. The next thing you’ll do is start pointing out the differences in how blacks, whites, and latinos water their lawns or wash their cars.

Good thing they studied a recession that is 26 YEARS OLD to write this piece. Whether we like it or not, things change a TON in 26 years….including recessions and it’s fallout.

Wow! I didn’t read in Anderson’s article that the recession doesn’t hurt everyone — he’s saying it affects the black community more deeply than the white community. Why is that so hard for you all to accept?

This is not a surprise (stating the obvious there Anderson) as the same statistics show up in good economic times — it is not easy being black in America. Why do some whites feel the need to banish the notion that color has anything to do with it?

Of COURSE there are stories of hard times on whites — Anderson isn’t talking about those — he’s exploring the economy from a race perspective — which is relevant, because it’s not just the economy where statistics of disadvantage play out (1 in 4 black men are jailed at 9 times the rates of white men, black children are 80% more likely to attend underperforming/under-funded schools). Whether you want to accept the truth is irrelevant, but please, stop the” woe is me” as a white person.

We’ve all got it hard. We get it. No body is trying to take away your phlight — so please don’t try to take it away from others. It’s these kinds of conversations that perpetuate the racial divide. As a white person, I suggest you get educated.

It seems to me that the real issue here is what the sociologists call socioeconomic status. I think that a recession hurts people at the lower end of the economic scale first and hardest, since they have little if any financial reserves, either as savings to draw on or as luxuries in their budget that can be cut. I don’t think race per se has anything to do with it, other than there happens to be a significant black population in these lower strata.

Regardless of race, anyone in these lower strata will be harmed more by a recession than those with greater economic resources. I believe that if the studies mentioned in the article had corrected for socioeconomic status, you would find that the experience of poor black teens was more like that of poor white teens than that of middle class black teens.

It is very tiring hearing the Black this and the Black that, stories that say “A black women in America” Blacks have it harder that the whites, it isn’t just the Blacks, it is all races, when a company is hiring and if they don’t have a mixed race employed then just about eavery race calls the race card. It used to be that blacks WERE a minority, but it is slowly turning around and becoming Whites as a minority.

I people would just take resonsibility for there own actions in life, be responsible, be truthful then there shouldn’t be a problem.

So let’s see, the statistics show that you have a harder time getting a job if you are uneducated? Well then, get educated. Why does the media insist on making this a racial issue? If you’re white and uneducated, you’re not getting a job either. Maybe the real issue here is that there are more uneducated Blacks? Why don’t you try to tackle that problem instead of having me sing you a swan song for being born, and please stop making excuses enabling the Black community to accept failure.

Of course, if you included ALL minorities in this study, you’d find Native Americans by far hit worse than blacks or any one else.

P.S. I’m also with Susan — this racial conversation is a distraction from the things that could unite us.

what is wrong with CNN? Whats up with all the racial articles?

Keep going and Obama will end up like Cafferty.. A major loser..

I just wanted to clear up a comment that Nadine Buchko (Pittsburgh, PA) made about black women having babies all the time, and not using protection by black men who don’t father their children. I am a college graduate, and a black man who is with my child and his mother. I am tired of hearing the white media slander my beautiful black queens with “black women are promiscious” because they keep their babies. First off because of the socioeconomic gaps between the rich and poor, people in impoverished “ghettos” many poor black people may go to free clinics who publish data. Now the question should be how many children would you have if you didn’t abort them. Probably not public knowledge of all the other races that have abortions all the time, because of alcholism and lack of contraception. I have heard of many a frat boys who have run trains on little perfect white and other race women, who don’t accept responsibility for their actions. Lets tell both sides of the coin, and not leave out the truth. Having children early is one element to the disparity of socioeconomic reasons why the gap between groups are so far apart.

I truly and ethically believe everyone has a valid point. however, i am biracial and I never think of myself as more one side than the other. I have graduated from a prestigious Big 10 school, working on my masters, and work full-time in the corporate world.

My thoughts-
Why don’t I see Jews-who have been absurdly persecuted for the past 2000 years-getting “victimized”?

Native Americans- We killed most and sent the other to live on reservations while Europeans took their land. Nothing is never in the news about them

The N word- We never hear either of the other 2 races,as mentioned above, calling each other demeaning names trying to “get back the power” Sometimes I just don’t understand

Food for thought

How can the Blacks not find work? All the Mexicans that come over here find work. Maybe the Blacks would rather just sit home and draw their un-employment checks? There’s jobs to be had no matter what Race you are, just the question is, do you want to work or not? Maybe if the government stops giving them a free hand out every time they ask for it they would be working. What comes too my mind is that we are still supporting all the Katrina people, after 3 years they still claim they can’t find a job but people coming from Mexico can find work the next day. Maybe its a culture thing.

Hey TC….Were you ever a slave? Anyone in your immediate family a slave? Your Grandparents a slave? Their parents? All I here are excuses. Its getting the the point where the African American Community needs to start pointing the finger at themselves and not at everyone and everything else

Everything now that Obama is running for Pres is about race. Can you please do an objective report for once??? I would love for you to do another study about who a recession effects the most based on economic class level. The fact is a recession kills the middle class. There is more of a percentage of middle class blacks than there are middle class whites based on population percentages. Therefore more percentage of blacks will be effected. However, a recession does not look at someone’s skin color and decides who to hurt more. This is a economic class battle: middle class gets screwed while upper class are rich enough, and poor get everything given to them anyway. So STOP with the race talk, start with the economic class talk!

“1% of black males have successfully obtained a place in cooperate America and 60% of white Americans believe that this is a great improvement since the 1960’s.”

I’d like to see your proof of these numbers. This means nothing unless you compare it to the number of blacks that graduate from college versus whites.

If all else fails, play the race card. Works every time.

How much longer do we have to put up with this Black in America hardship line. We all have hardhips, some people deal with them better than others. Why are we giving so much aid to AFRICA if so much is needed here. All depends on who wants to make the news.

My comment is directed to Ms Elam and is the same comment and question I call and write to CNN and the FCC year in and year out asking why does CNN demean the Black community’s rights of Free Speech? toe examples.

1. Why does not one Black person, male or female have an anchor position on CNN? Or, co-host and hostess on prime time news hours?

2.Why are all of the co-host and co-hostess on CNN light skined?

The Black in America special is just the opposit of what is being taught to our Black children about Black Pride and why we must resist any and all efforts to continue to believe that our Culture began in Slavery and has no relationship to it is a culture of survival in America. Pride for me is to resist and keep trying to get Black skined people “employed” on CNN as qualified to be an anchor on cable news networks like CNN. And, the only way to do this is to use these Black in America special to show just how far the Blacks in America have not come since Dr. M. L. King.

Well you are all getting closer to the real problems.

1. Manufacturing jobs are all but gone in America, thanks to NAFTA.

2. The Skilled Workforce is all but gone in America, thanks to #1.

3. Engineering Research, Design & Development is all but gone in America, thanks to #1 and #2.

4. Less demand for Engineers and Skilled Workers in the Workplace thanks to #1

5. Enrollment in Techncal and Engineering Schools is down since there is little demand, in fact when the Baby Boomers are retired, we will be totally dependent on China for everything.

PS: Its not a black thing. Its an Education Thing and Politics.

“If black folks want to really get ahead,
Pull your pants up, learn to speak english, start respecting each other, the law, and the neighborhoods you live in.”

That statement is a little wild. I do understand where you’re coming from but I’ve seen white folks with the same issues. Being from the black community, I’ll be honest with you. The black people who have made it and are successful are typically only worried about the people surrounding them. Their family. They move their families out of neighborhoods that are mostly black into mostly white neighborhoods because conditions are better instead of staying and fighting for better conditions. I believe that many of our problems start with our own people. This series is not intended to show that all black people are polite and educated. We all know that is not the case. But, a lot of white people believe that we are uneducated, “ghetto”, and angry. We are not all like that, just like all white people are not educated, well spoken, and polite. I’ve seen similarities on both sides. In the end, we’re all Americans. We’re not black or white. Some Americans are uneducated, angry, and wear their pants low. I’m not one of those Americans.

Let me guess, it’s all whitey’s fault. For the love of God, stop !!!!!!!!!!

Personally I am tired of hearing minority (whichever one) this or minority that. By placing minorities in the “down and out” category, the media is doing them no favors. I think that there should be equality for all. I would be willing to bet that for ever single unemployed african american in this country, you would be able to find an unemployed caucasian american, korean american, japanese american, american indian, Latin - American, etc. The african americans in this country have it no better and no worse than any other group if you look at the big picture. Just as there are wealthy and/or high profile caucasians, there are wealthy/ high - profile african americans, it’s a fact. There might be more caucasians in this position, but that’s due to history, not common day issues.

It’s a fact that countries are generally run by those that have more money, with which to gain power, advantage etc. But that money generally had to come from somewhere, either from hard work of their own, or their ancestors. Granted, the “white” americans have had a longer time to build up their fortunes, but that in no way changes that “black” americans have just the same opportunities as everyone else in this country. It’s a question of seizing that opportunity.

It’s time that the minorities in this country stop looking for excuses as to why they “can’t” and see the reasons why the CAN.

Go to college in electrical engineering even though neither parent graudated from high school. Have $52,000 in student loans like me. Then start off at around $80,000 in Mississippi and the recession doesn’t hurt as bad. Pay student loans off within three years and quit complaining about the bad economy.

Oh come on!! Whites are having a hard time just like everyone else. But I guess you are trying/having to be PC. If you had titled and wrote your article on “Recessions Hits Whites in America Harder” your editor would have not let the article run.

So manny respondents on this board are misguided.
The article alone brought out a s—load of steroytypes and prjudices that keep people of today from succeeding in total.

Vinny, Matt , Herman and others like you do a dis-service to the progress made y the majority of minorities.

Should all non minorities be judged by your attitiudes?