What a bizarre argument to make. Other than just trying to sh_t up the discussion, I can’t see what he was possibly hoping to accomplish with that. Does he mean each drop in the black unemployment rate constitute a step toward re-enslavement? Does he mean that the black unemployment rate doesn’t matter because of slavery? Does he have any idea what he means?
He means, "Orange man bad. Black folks need to stay on the Rat plantation."
Clearly you seek to find meaning in this illogical, spurious analogy. I think you nailed it. The only rational inferences are what you’ve listed. Or also, “Employment is irrelevant since it obtained ( fully ) under a regime of horribleness.” As did respiration. So I guess breathing is of no value, either.
The goal of language is to convey a thought as well as an emotional response. He has the second one covered. The first, not so much
He means he believes it’s racist to ask certain demographic groups to care for themselves and their families, to contribute to society, to behave as functional adults, and to not have their hands in taxpayers’ pockets.