Yesterday we looked at an International Labor Organization report that concluded that Latin American youth was the regional group “hit hardest” by the global economic crisis. The same phrase may be apt for people of color north of the border. A report released today by New York State Comptroller found that the unemployment rate for Latinos between December 2007 and December 2009 climbed to 13%. Compare that to the statewide unemployment rate during that period of 9% and it’s no wonder that DiNapoli observed that it “has not been an equal opportunity recession.”Much like in New York Latino unemployment rates nationwide have been unequally high compared to the national average. A recent National Institute for Latino Policy study linked to by former contributor Maegan la mala found that the “seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Latino households in January was an estimated 12.6 percent, compared to 8.7 percent for non-Latino Whites.” It is a situation “that should call attention to policymakers and for the general public” as National Institute of Latino Policy president Angelo Falcon recently mentioned in an NPR interview.
The need to tackle the disproportionately high unemployment rates for blacks and Latinos is something that has not been actively tackled by those in power. Perhaps NYU assistant professor C. Nicole Mason said it best earlier today:
In general, the (Obama) Administration has been reluctant to respond to the way the economic crisis has unevenly impacted racial and ethnic communities. Before the recession hit, the unemployment rate for Black and Latinos hovered around 8 percent and has nearly doubled since then. With fewer assets and savings compared to their whites, recovery and regaining some sense of economic normalcy is far off for many Blacks and Latinos.So what do you think? Why do you believe people of color have been among those hit hardest by the recession? Can anything be done to lower Latino unemployment rates? Has the government done enough to confront the problem?
Any re-tooling of the current stimulus bill and future legislation to spur job creation will have to take seriously the disproportionate impact the recession is having on racial and ethnic minorities. To do anything less would be irresponsible or essentially like using a sponge to assuage a flood.
Let us know what you think by leaving a comment to this post (play nice!) and/or voting in our weekly poll. Let your voice be heard!
Image- Modesto Bee
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, New York State Comptroller’s Office, Vivirlatino, Huffington Post, NPR
Good question, unfortunately, I believe a detailed response would take up a few chapters in a book rather than the comments section of your blog. Whatever the reasons, the underlying causes are certainly associated with educational, economic, cultural, and social factors. But lets take one instance - the type of occupations where Hispanics and other minorities are highly represented -construction, service industries, etc. These are the industries that have been hit the most in the current economic downturn. It then makes sense that Hispanics and minorities are greatly impacted. This is not a short-term issue - it begins with focusing on education and assuring that all demographic groups in our society are given the same educational opportunities whether one lives in East Los Angeles or Boston, MA. Thanks for your post!
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