Chronic Absenteeism Hurts Millions Of Students
'Toddlers & Tiaras': Damitri'ana Wears 'African' National…
It's no secret that the recession is hitting African-Americans especially hard. Last month black unemployment stood at 14.5 percent, vs. 8.6 percent for whites. However, nearly 18 million blacks are still toiling in the civilian labor force, representing over 11 percent of America's 155 million workers. As the country enjoys a day of rest on Monday to celebrate all working Americans, Black Voices is taking time to shine a much-deserved spotlight on the black worker with five facts you might not know...
1) She Brings Home The Bacon
The black worker is more likely to be female; but then again, there are simply more black females. Fifty-three percent of black workers age 20 and over are women, while 47 percent are men – commensurate with their representation in the overall population.
2) The Tax Collector in the Mirror
It's not surprising that a black person is more likely than a white one to be a bus driver or a health care aide. But did you know that blacks are also more likely to be tax examiners or collectors; dietician or nutritionists; crossing guards; bill collectors; and telemarketers?
3) On The Government Payroll
Who says big government is a terrible thing? While facing discrimination in many sectors, blacks are more likely to work for the federal government than other Americans. We represented 17.8 percent of the federal workforce in 2007 compared to 10.1 percent of the general population
4) Bearing the Union Label
For years blacks have been more likely to work in a union, bringing them 12 percent higher wages than their non-union counterparts. However, black union participation has been falling for years, from nearly 32 percent in 1983 to less than half that today. In 2008, 14.5 percent black workers were union members vs. 12.2 percent of white workers. It's no wonder that on average blacks are....
5) ...Making Less and Less
Many of you have seen this in your own paychecks. From the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2009, black workers 25 to 54 years old experienced a 3.7 percent decline-a drop of about $23--in their inflation-adjusted median weekly wage. No other major racial or ethnic group showed a decline over this period.
In More News About Black Workers:
+NAAIA is Recruiting Black Insurance Professionals
+Dr. Boyce and Michel Martin on NPR Discuss the Minimum Wage
+Dr Boyce Money: First Black Female to Run Fortune 500 Company
Before They Were Famous
Mary J. Blige is known for her creatively coiffed crown of hair for good reason...
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Mary J. Blige:
At-Home Hairdresser
From Starpulse.com: "Blige spent the first few years of her life in Savannah, GA, before moving with her mother and older sister to the Schlobam housing projects in Yonkers, NY. Her rough life there produced more than a few scars, physical and otherwise, and Blige dropped out of high school her junior year, instead spending time doing her friends' hair in her mother's apartment and hanging out."
Mary started to make her own way in the world in a profession that many take for granted. The at-home hairdresser is a very important staple of many communities, as she uses her skills to help women who can't afford a professional salon to stay pampered and beautiful. We salute you!
Getty Images
Denzel Washington is no stranger to the hair business himself...
John Shearer, WireImage
Denzel Washington: Barber
From Tiscali: "It's often been said that the boy picked up his desire to act from the flamboyant communication that went on around him at this time. He certainly picked up a desire to work - the family ethic was very strong - and young Denzel found himself labouring in barber shops and beauty parlours from the age of 11."
The neighborhood barber is an important institution in many communities. Even though they don't get paid much, men's salons are like private social clubs that allow them to relax and connect at an affordable price. Workers in these establishments not only groom the body -- they soothe the soul.
WireImage
Ellen is known for her dancing, but she used to be a different kind of mover back in the day...
Jordan Strauss, WireImage
Ellen Degenres: Car Wash Driver
From CareerBuilder.com: "I actually liked my first job. I was driving cars out of a car wash, you know, once the car comes out, you get in and you wipe it. That was exciting to me to drive the nice cars and wipe down the [dashboard] with Emerald."
We often take for granted all the folks at the local war wash. They may be working for little more than tips, but they keep our cars clean and fresh, making a huge positive impact on our daily lives.
WireImage
Jennifer Lopez has displayed a high level of discipline and organization in plotting her megastar career. She must have learned those skills during one of her first jobs...
Steve Granitz, Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez: Legal Assistant
From 2spare.com: "Long before Jennifer Lopez sang, danced and acted her way to superstardom, she briefly traded in her velour tracksuit for a suit of the pin-striped variety while working at a law office."
It's hard to imagine someone as driven as Jennifer Lopez being an assistant, but J.Lo paid her dues by helping her bosses meet their goals. It's hard for anybody to put others first, but that's what assistants do in every field. They deserve to be appreciated for this.
WireImage / Getty Images
Before Angela Bassett became a huge star in front of the camera, she earned her living doing business on the other side of the lens...
Michael Tullberg, Getty Images
Angela Bassett:
Photo Researcher
From Yuddy.com: "After working as a beauty salon receptionist and photo researcher, Bassett got started with her acting career in New York Theater, after which she landed her first role-as a prostitute-in the 1985 TV movie 'Doubletake,' starring Richard Crenna and Beverly D'Angelo. The following year she landed her first official film role as a TV reporter in 'F/X.'"
Whenever we look at a magazine, or in a book with pictures, we are seeing the work of some one like Bassett in her early career. We never think of the faceless, nameless men and women who look for all the photos that illustrate concepts, news and ideas in every facet of our daily lives, ranging from Web sites to education. But every one of those photos was hand-selected by someone, most often an anonymous, but dedicated and not-too-well-paid pro. What would life be like without all the hundreds of pictures we enjoy every day?
Getty Images
Comments: (6)
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By: tori on 9/06/2009 1:47PM
I quit my job, because of the sexism, racism, hatred of blacks. In my face hate! I rode in a company van every morning and listen to strong gay sex talk amongs male co workers,and they played porn loud on their speaker cell phones. smoke excessively. they did not want or made me feel welcome. some advice please.
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By: anae on 9/08/2009 11:58AM
I'm glad you quit that job but you are going to face some kind of harassment no matter where U go. But you know what? Our parents face much more than that. I survived for 27 yr only black in my office.All the advice I
can give you simply #1 keep him in your life.
WHO TOLD YOU LIFE WAS GOING TO BE EASY
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By: manleyrenayem on 9/05/2009 3:59AM
this is why we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, so that more Black workers can have jobs that pay living wages, have health insurance and retirement benefits!
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By: will on 9/05/2009 9:16AM
Enough with the programs,If everyone had the oppotunity to a good education we wouldnt need all these programs and law changes.We would be able to get decent jobs.Stop all the self serving programs and educate all citizens and we'll all be fine.
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By: Mr.Stephen on 9/07/2009 9:01AM
Have you lost your Job!
The $20, Million Dollar Law Suite filed!
1) Have you lost your job lately?
2) How did management personnel treat you in the earlier months before you were terminated?
3) Did you find yourself doing a lot of overtime without overtime pay just to get the job done?
4) Were you working in hostile work environment were ignorant supervisors and managers always had something smart to say about your work in a loud and humiliation way?
5) Has the following words ever been brought up @ your work place” Down Sizing& Prioritizing,” words that mean we are going to get rid of you by any means necessary, so we can cut cost and reduce client’s services!
6) Have you gone to different organization for help like Human Relation, and The EEOC, and find progress for employee justice? Being place on hold for years!
7) Have you talked with a lawyer and they referred you to the Human Relation, or the EEOC, or just gave you a lot of excuses not to take your case against your formal employer?
8) Have you had a civil service hearing and they refuse allow you to have your choosing witnesses, but had their on the side line?
I have heard all of the excuses have filed a 20 million dollar suite against my formal Job called the County Office Servicing The Aging, located in Eddy Stone, Pa, The State of Pennsylvania Civil Service Department and the so call union International Brotherhood who were supposed to protect its workers besides taking their money each month.
I have contacted various political personnel as well and various lawyers about my matter, and have been given all kinds of excuses. Why they could not take my case.” To tedious, my case load is full, we can touch it until the EEOC, conduct their investigation, u/waited to long, I can touch it because it’s in the courts, political people excuses, “
I have even gone to the EEOC, who refused to put another co-worker case with mine. After we both told them to combine our cases to provide our point of view about discrimination gender, mistreatment being treated differently, age (older worker being discharge) disability, working in a hostile work environment, where the people above could not tell their bottom from their heads, and violating company policies.
Now, I have contacted my so call elective officials including the president of the United State. Well u/can read the responses for yourselves, and then wonder why people get postal’s man’s attitude because there is no real help out their for the hard working little people, but all of this is going to change soon, Look out for the phases down sizing, prioritizing.
Therefore, I am asking all who have lost their job to stand up against work place injustices because they work for us the tax payers and their work needs to scrutinize like the employee. When they make changes in the work place can’t fully explained or train the employee. Than those words: down sizing, and prioritizing need to be use against them.
I have no lawyer to represent me, so I am on my own like many of you, so I am asking all lost jobs, and mistreated jobless American and other to take a stand, and help each other. By organizing the biggest march against the State Capitals, and the Justice Department, for over looking! The way the employee has been treated by companies, local, state, federal, and private in the down sizing and prioritizing world of trail and error, and by any means necessary to get rid of people.
I am calling upon all to take a stand and not take the postal man’s attitude for our justice. I have a court date soon for my case and lots of work to do on my own like you, so if you are interested in taking a stand against work place in Justice and non-union representation, e-mail me @ilovebopping@aol.com direct and put work place injustice.
They got seven billion and we got discharged wit no bennies or Justice! It time American people for the people march and justice!
Sign Mr. Stephen,
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By: John Lindsay on 9/08/2009 6:18AM
"We represented 17.8 percent of the federal workforce in 2007 compared to 10.1 percent of the general population"
JL: Talk radio will attempt to spin this as being something that Obama done to payoff those who supporteds him"....although these people were working for the federal gov't. long before Obama became president.
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