These numbers are just depressing:
Joblessness for 16-to-24-year-old black men has reached Great Depression proportions — 34.5 percent in October, more than three times the rate for the general U.S. population. And last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that unemployment in the District, home to many young black men, rose to 11.9 percent from 11.4 percent, even as it stayed relatively stable in Virginia and Maryland.
“Black men were less likely to receive a call back or job offer than equally qualified white men,” said Devah Pager, a sociology professor at Princeton University, referring to her studies a few years ago of white and black male job applicants in their 20s in Milwaukee and New York. “Black men with a clean record fare no better than white men just released from prison.”
Did you read that last line. I mean- WTF? At the end of the day, education can only take you so far. Determination, drive, and your willingness to get connected are the keys to success. Remember kids, it ain’t WHAT you know, but WHO you know– Pick up that phone, get out that house and make it happen! Good luck
J
Comment on November 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I wish you hadn’t pointed out that last line, lol. Back in the day I woulda lost my head for a sec, or just ask the question why. Have to remind ourselves, and each other about having determination, common sense, and a healthy self esteem so when studies like this pop up we approach it the right way. Keep your head up, make connections, and make your own opportunites if you have to, along with a whole lot of other suggestions but let me be quiet. About to leave a msg as long as a book on here
devon
Comment on November 25, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I can’t believe the last line, shows racism is alive and well in the US. I wish I did not read that line either– how fucked up is that
roland piano
Trackback on December 6, 2009 at 8:43 pm
roland piano…
Hello
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pres
Comment on December 3, 2010 at 3:32 am
One of the more impressive blogs Ive seen. Thanks so much for keeping the internet classy for a change. Youve got style, class, bravado. I mean it. Please keep it up because without the internet is definitely lacking in intelligence.