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The results are interesting in light of the well-documented economic struggles among African Americans, including unemployment rates that are nearly double those of white Americans. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, black unemployment stands at 15.3%, compared to just 8% for white Americans. Black public figures and political leaders have been calling on the Obama Administration to use targeted economic policy in order to alleviate racial disparities in wealth and employment, but to no avail thus far.
Within the black middle class, there is a pervasive, yet untold story about the challenges that many African Americans feel, educated or not, as they attempt to navigate their way through predominantly white institutions. While many are quick to blame the black community for their plight, without regard to the effects of 400 years of slavery and Jim Crow, the truth is that there are millions of African Americans who work hard, abide by the law, get as much education as they can and try to do the right thing. In fact, this represents the majority.
What is sad is that those within our community who are working hard to do the right thing and play by the rules still see far too many cases where the white man down the hall gets breaks that we would never receive. In academia, I've seen countless universities turn down dozens of qualified black faculty and then tell us that we're not being hired because we're simply not good enough. In nearly every industry in America, it is not uncommon to see companies that have never hired an African American to certain positions, with such glaring disparities receiving barely a peep from public officials.
This year, the Obama Administration has taken stands to improve workplace rights for women and the gay community. It is hopeful that our nation's first black president and attorney general will take a look at the abundance of issues that relate to racial disparities as well. The silent majority of black Americans experiencing workplace discrimination should not continue to remain silent forever, and we must push our elected officials to speak up.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 
Comments: (104)
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By: Sky on 4/03/2011 6:14PM
There is so much poverty and homelessness in the world and all you all have to do is find fault with someone or something.
Allocate time taking care of homeless animals, foster children, or developmental persons. Send a child from an impoverished country to school or purchase a pair of shoes.
There are also impoverished children in the U.S. and they are not from disadvantaged neighborhoods.
You must remember there is only one race and that is the human race. Everyone person on this earth is a person of color. You are not white and I am not black. Have you looked in the mirror lately?
Think before you speak.
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By: Rickie Summers on 4/04/2011 2:41AM
I would like to know why you said your comment Not all Black are like what you think. Why we keep it on our mind it is always being said. Just like Jack Crow want to send us back to the Farm. I have never been on a farm My parents made sure I got a good Education I became a Special Ed Teacher and was that for 38 yrs until my eyesight became a problem.
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By: James Gadson on 3/19/2011 8:20AM
Workplace discrimination does exist. Now that Ward Connerly has help to deconstruct 'Affirmative Action' the percentages remain on the rise.
I have experienced discrimination in hiring. I passed every test for the same job three times, even going as far as to travel to another city to try again, but was still turned away.
I remember watching as a recruiter assured two young white men (who may or may not have passed the tests), assured positions even before their interviews, and while standing in the waiting room.
There are laws against these practices but they are not enforced or recognized. It is as if the labor department has turned a blind eye to the plight of the 'black' people in 'America' once again!
So again I ask, " What good is a 'black' President when 'blacks' are still discriminated against and furthermore abused in terrifying ways"?
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By: stare k on 3/30/2011 9:23PM
To James Gadison .Our President cannot controll
each person . Some of us expect to much from Mr.Obama .Can you imagin what he has to go through each & every day . Give him a break .The Repubilican put us in this mess ,do you expect him to undo it with the amount of time hehas had in office ? They are holding his feet to the fire .
All the threat he has had on his life + his family ,then do run this country .portect the USA
amoung other things ETC.
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By: James Gadson on 3/19/2011 8:21AM
Your opinion wreaks of ignorance, stupidity, misinformation and racism. Who informed you of the capabilities of 'blacks'? (Maybe Rush Limbaugh).
What proof do you have that your kind are more qualified? I've seen some very dumb people from all walks of life and I've seen some very smart.
When you make a broad vile statement tossing a cloak of negative and denigrating remarks about a people's abilities you can only come to this conclusion by either hearsay or outright prejudice and racism.
Anyone can call another person unqualified and without abilities if they are prone to profile a person or people in that way. It is a typical mindless racist tactic.
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By: James Gadson on 3/19/2011 8:29AM
Haven't you heard? We are not called Negroes any longer. We consider it derogatory. Surely you used it to accentuate your faulty statement.
Whites tend to think they are smarter than blacks in this country and if they say it enough times they might make it a truth. The fact is that even though your kind have shut 'blacks' out of the education system for centuries yours are still no more smarter than anyone else and when I see and hear people like GW Bush and Sarah Palin speak I'm reassured just how dumb some of you in positions of leadership etc., really are!
I must admit that you do have arrogance and nerves, though not much else of social worth.
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By: James Gadson on 3/19/2011 7:47PM
When I was growing up, whites spoke out on television and everywhere a mind could receive the information, of how 'blacks' were inferior to whites and how we couldn't do specific types of jobs.
If they say these type of things enough times they may not only convince themselves it's true but the victims they are denigrating and demeaning may begin to believe the hype. They think they are smart enough to say these things and because they say it, it's true. Those are actually the thoughts of dummies!
As a matter of fact I keep running into some of the dumbest and most unqualified 'whites' all around who hold great positions and are creating failures all over the country.
If you were to have enough intelligence to remember that our economy just crashed and our 'white' "leadership" had to save themselves with our tax wealth, you might be smart enough to realize that it wasn't unqualified 'blacks' who had all of these jobs. As a matter of fact these high paying jobs were held mostly by an all white racist based collaboration of smart-asses who were either not too smart or just thieves. liars, and crooks. But let them tell it, they are more qualified than 'black' people!
They were so vile, stupid, and ignorant that they crashed New Orleans and caused the needless death of thousands. So full of themselves that they still believe their own BS!
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By: Greg on 3/19/2011 4:47PM
In reading your multi posts here I have to conclude that you do in fact sound just like you believe that you're inferior. Because , in my opinion you sound just like someone who as I continue to say is caught up in that very mind set of believing that you're inferior! And, that you seek out those elements, and processes of discrimination , and apply then to yourself, just because you're black! You should, and most intelligent people are thinking the complete opposite! Perhaps you need to check yourself out, and rethink exactly what you trying to do, or say! We all know that discrimination exist...that being said then let's explore the "why's?" Some is based on racism..true, but black folks have racist attitudes too, as do most races. Again , maybe black people should spent more time getting themselves together, and then I'm as a result discrimination ...well some I'm sure would disappear! Perhaps, also that's why discrimination continues to rear it's ugly head, because we still as a people refuse to be held accountable for our behaviors, actions, and responsibilities! We can't always just continue to point the blame for just about everything on white people! When are we as a people going to stand up, and accept the responsibility for our own situations? If, we do better, and also for ourselves, then I'm more than sure that things will also be better for us as a people! If, you work hard, and put in the time to, then you'll get your rewards. But, spending all this time with the usual, and predictable complaining, and witch hunting is simply "non value added"! Stop blaming white people, try blaming yourself for own issues!
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By: workingman on 3/19/2011 1:39PM
Discrimation is alwayss there, and happens everyday. This show you that we still have a long way go.
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By: arriethom1 on 3/19/2011 2:08PM
Dr Watkins is correct when he talks about blacks constantly being the victims of racial discrimination, however, it will never cease no matter how much we complain. Whites will continue to deny that it doesn't exist. We as blacks need to stop pushing for equality in corporations that we don't own. We as African Americans need to start respecting each other and our own communities. We need to build our own businesses and corporations and have enough integrity to provide quality service if we are business owners and respect our black businesses as consumers. We need to care enough to invest in our own communities and stop thinking that white ice is colder and black ice. Racism will always be around it is the fabric of this country, but the only way that we as African Americans will get respect is if we build enough wealth where America will have to respect us even if they don't like us.
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