Black Unemployment Up to Nearly 35 Percent

By: Frederick Cosby

The nation’s economic crisis has been tough for millions of Americans, but times have been especially tough for young black men.

Black men between 16 and 24 years old are struggling with a staggering 34.5 percent unemployment rate, according to federal figures released last month, a Great Depression era-type statistic that’s three times higher than the general U.S. population.

And things aren’t much better for young sisters. Black women between 16 and 24 years old suffer a 26.5 percent jobless rate, while the unemployment rate for all women in that age range is 15.4 percent. The combined jobless rate for young black men and women is 30.5 percent.

 

Black Unemployment Up to Nearly 35 Percent....