The issues that are faced regarding black people and unemployment rates?

In the Month of October the unemployment rate for Black Men age 16-24 reached 34% and for Black Women it reached 26%. These numbers are the highest among all races... In a time where unemployment rates are at an all time high, trying to find the reason seems to be beyond the issue of black and white.

It is very hard to get a job out in the working world. Although, our newly elected leader is black, black people should not be fooled. This is still very much a white man's world. In addition, white people are trying to make sure that reversed racism does not occur. Yes, survey's can be manipulated. However, there is a scarcity of jobs out there. And, the more the requirements that are imposed for qualifying for the job, the more isolated able body working people become and the higher the unemployment rate. A friend of mine was telling me that she applied for a "Secretary" job, and they wanted a FOUR YEAR DEGREE. Who wants to go to school for FOUR YEARS and peddle papers? You will be spending your life's income paying on the loans!

On the other hand, hundreds of years of experience and facts can't be misleading, that blacks always lag in employment, specifically black males. If you add in a recession, then you get higher unemployment rates. I would think once something is a proven FACT, then you can apply all the other outside circumstances.

With the stigmatisms of the past, which are not going to change, what is really going on in the world? I would say it's a combination of factors and we can discuss this all day long but to discuss the “whys” are irrelevant. I really feel discussing the way to resolve the issue is more important. Although, identifying the problem is GREAT to know but once we figure out how and why this is going on where do we go from here? I think the most important part is we as black people don't share enough, we don't share our knowledge, our thoughts, our ideas, our connections, and so on... each one teach one! If we stuck together like other races and social groups, we would not always be last.

Hell, every time I go to a fast food restaurant, who is behind the mic and at the counter? The Hispanics... can barely speak English but they are there working. Why because they are willing to sacrifice their American pride in order to make a way for their families. Now, years ago... Black people were too busy trying to keep it real and strip and sell drugs then to work a minimum wage job! Now, these companies are looking past the blacks that want to work because they figure hey, why try to hire them when they are going to be ungrateful.

Another aspect is when black people are in the position of power... sometimes they forget that they were on the boat just like everyone else. And, I don't mean that to be negative but in this game, it should NEVER be one man above the crew. It's the WHATS IN IT FOR ME, mentality of certain segments of people. I run a Property Management company and when I meet people they are always impressed that I am young first, black second, and on my job! When I meet other black professionals, they are like I was wondering, “where were my people at...” “what are they doing,” and I say, “I am here!”

This issue is definitely not new and being from the same socio-economic background and neighborhood is not the origin. What is the contribution of those included in this statistic to this high number...? I ask because there are many different reactions to an action. Why have they found themselves in this situation when others who were once their peers are not..?

In addition, there are people in high class positions that are without jobs... and they've been doing the same job for years, they don't know what the NEW market is like... example, searching for a job on the internet, their resume, etc, etc...

As a matter of resolution, people can instead of waiting for someone to give them something. They can create their own destiny. I was in that predicament a few years ago, and I didn't want to be so beat down that I had to wait for the man to lift me up and give me a chance to work. I started my own business, and yes it is hard but I love making my own money. Being self-made is a beautiful thing.

People have to look in the mirror...and that means everyone, even those doing the hiring. We have to stick together, if we ever plan on evolving as a people.

Attached, are a few links...



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/23/AR2009112304092.html?hpid=topnews