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There were 13,000 applications given out, meaning that most of the people applying for housing won't receive a unit. Medical personnel and police were on hand to help some of those who'd been overtaken by heat exhaustion. It is unclear why residents had to wait outside in the heat in order to apply for a place to live.
The story in Atlanta is a sad reflection of what's been happening nation-wide to the African American community since the start of last year's recession. While many of us are fortunate enough to have jobs, there are hundreds of thousands of others who've been unable to find work and don't have the ability to meet basic needs.
According to the latest data with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, black unemployment remains at 15.6 percent, which is nearly twice as high as the 8.6 percent unemployment rate for white Americans. Atlanta has a disproportionate number of African Americans relative to other cities, meaning that the city has been hit especially hard by the recession.
The logic of our elected officials when it comes to dealing with massive urban unemployment seems to argue that "trickle over" economics can become a substitute for reducing structural inequality. Rather than targeting urban areas and groups where unemployment is highest, officials wish to engage in the act of uniformly spreading job creation across all geographic and demographic spectra. President Obama's statement about how a "rising tide will lift all boats," doesn't take into account that some of the passengers on America's economic boat have historically been relegated to the bottom of the ship.
Even if our government's policies of job creation were to work, the fundamental issues of economic and labor inequality would still remain. For example, a 30 percent decline in unemployment across the board would mean that whites would enjoy an unemployment rate of slightly less than six percent, while African Americans would still be above 11 percent, which is over 33 percent higher than the rate that whites are complaining about right now. Such a decline would be hailed a success by the Obama Administration, while African Americans would remain in a condition that is worse than the one that white Americans are stressed over at the moment.
My example above explains how we've come to accept black suffering as a default state of America. Like dogs being forced to sit out in a cage in sweltering heat, no one spends much time empathizing with the pain of our community. We expect the hot and miserable dog to be happy because he gets to eat, while everyone else complains about not having enough air conditioning. Unemployment of over 15 percent for African Americans is unacceptable, and the idea that eight percent unemployment for white Americans draws dramatically more interest and attention from our government is another reminder of black second class citizenship.
There should be targeted economic policies which relate to dealing with urban unemployment. There must also be a forced dialog on matters that relate to racial inequality. The dialog must not be led by the president or any other elected official, it must be led by the people. So, I encourage anyone who cares about these problems to force the issue, pass the topic along to others, and speak on the matter whenever you can. Perhaps we can also work to support elected officials who are courageous enough to honestly confront the racial disparities among us. Maxine Waters is personally at the top of my list.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (31)
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By: Kindra Cotton on 8/14/2010 6:15PM
Vote me into office Doc. I'm ready! :)
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By: Marsha on 8/14/2010 7:38PM
Dr. Boyce, alot of your commentary drives me crazy, but I am with you on this one. And I especially agree that we cannot look to President Obama or any elected officials to bring the issues of race to the "conscious mind" of America. I have definitely begun the discussion with anyone who will listen!! I have begun instilling the idea of entrepreneurship with my children. I do this because I believe this is the only answer for Black America; to go back to the times when we had our own, and hired our own. (ie; Black Wallsreet, Madame C J Walker) I recently saw a stunning example of us helping one another in business on ShopNBC. Lisa Price of "Carol's Daughter" fame had assisted Mary J Blige in the production and marketing of her new fragrance "My Life". I understand that Mary J was also an investor behind her product as well. This is an example of what we can do for each other if we refuse the "hatin" and start helping one another. I truly believe this is the only way out for our community. ENTREPRENEURSHIP!!!
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By: Don't Complain DR Yuck on 8/14/2010 8:19PM
I think it was very disgusting to show black people acting like animals on TV fighting for applications and depending on the government for assistance. Every stereo typical image about black people was thrown out there for the whole world to laugh at. Personally, I thought I was watching Haiti as if these people were fighting for food. This was sooo disgusting that they made black people look worse than illegal aliens.
Enough is enough with this BS! There is not enough images of black people shown the media doing the right thing on TV or BV. Stop blaming the white man for all your problems and start by sitting down with your children and making them study for a better future and turn off BET. DR Boyce, why do you encourage black people to depend on the government? You write to much about what is wrong with racial issues and never focus on the middle class and wealthy black Americans as they exist too. Start writing about the positive things happening in the community. This is not anyone’s problem black or white if these people are fight over applications. Come correct with something else!
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By: Don't Complain DR Yuck on 8/14/2010 8:22PM
Dr. Boyce I going to start calling you DR. Welfare because you encourage black folks to depend to the government. LET's ALL depend on DR. Welfare's advice and the world will be a much better place!
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By: rasfanta on 8/14/2010 8:22PM
Listen, there should be no homeless people in america and nobody desiring or in need of a home. Do you understand that WE, THE PEOPLE, own all this surplus housing in america? We bought it when we bailed the greedy bankers out. when we gave them our tax dollars and BOUGHT the toxic assets on their books. they say they will pay back the loans but I don't believe that. They will continue to pay the interest only on the loans. They are lying, dirty thieves. The people need to get in the street. If 3000 people can show up for 400 housing applications, why can't they show up like that to protest the way the american people have been abused by this dirty, corrupt, capitalistic system . Show up to demand redress. The housing is there and we own it.
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By: rasfanta on 8/14/2010 8:27PM
WTF are you talking about? Didn't rich wall street international bankers just receive a welfare payout? Didn't they just come from the government with a big check? You got to be an agent to dispense misinformation. you can't fool me, fool
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By: tellus on 8/14/2010 8:33PM
if this is the greatest nation on earth, i'd hate to be someplace else.... poor leadership has turned the us into a ghetto/slummy nation.
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By: rasfanta on 8/14/2010 8:36PM
And those of you who are ashamed of your peoples' display of need, screw you. You are a superficial pompous idiot. You don't have a clue. Better you say nothing. I am angry that americans have to go to the street in those numbers to look for housing they can afford. Where is the outrage over what the government and private sector has done? Where is the outrage? Don't you wonder where the american peoples' money is; where it has gone. Well I know where it has gone. Ask the international banking elite and the chosen ones. Our schools, our health care, our infrastructure, this whole freaking country has gone down the toilet. Don't you wonder why and who did it? You see, I am old enough to know the way things used to be in america. I remember when the chosen ones did not control this country the way they do today and how they have taken money from every man, woman and child in america and sent it to israel.
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By: Don't Complain DR Yuck on 8/14/2010 8:57PM
rasfanta you sound like you love DR Boyce and a racist! What does Isreal have to do with black people fighting over section 8 applications. I'm confused? You just made my point. STOP Blaming the jews or the white man. Put the blame on yourself and put more energy into education in the poor black community.
The people that were fighting over those applications were not tax paying citizens. These are people that depend on the government. This is the same energy they should have to make sure their children have a brighter future!
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By: rasfanta on 8/14/2010 9:27PM
You show your ignorance or you don't think the american people see the connection between the lack of fair, affordable housing and other vital services and the rise of the jew-controlled financial industry and the rapid development of the state of israel. Black people don't control the wealth in america. How come russian, jewish immigrants can come to america and get public housing but AA have to go to the street and fight for 400 units of housing?
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