Posted on 07/26/2013 8:21:04 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
PHILADELPHIA—Black America is largely unemployed, in debt and in prison, civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson told hundreds gathered at the annual National Urban League conference Friday, before asking them what they were going to do about it.
"If you're someone with credit card debt, stand," said Jackson. A segment of the audience stood. "If you're someone with student loans, stand," he said. Nearly everyone in the audience stood. "And if you're someone looking for a job, stand," he said. Many more people tentatively raised their hands.
"That's the state of black America," he said. "We are free but not equal. Free to be unemployed."
A host of big name civil rights leaders joined Jackson Friday in warning of the unemployment and incarceration crisis for black Americans, citing statistics including that more than half of male African-American high school dropouts are unemployed, according to an analysis from the left-leaning site Remapping Debate, and that of the over 2 million Americans in prison, half are black.
In June, the Labor Department's job numbers also showed that the African-American unemployment rate had risen from 13.5 to 13.7 percent, while the national employment rate had stayed even, at 7.6 percent.
Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said Friday that the unemployment problem was driven in part by employers who used credit checks in their hiring decisions.
"Credit checks have nothing to do with your ability to work," she argued. "Your credit is bad because you don't have a job."
MSNBC commentator and civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton argued that black Americans were facing higher unemployment rates because of where they work.
"Every since Obama has been in, there's been an increase in jobs in the private sector but black unemployment has increased. Why? Because we work in the public sector," he said.
In November, the National Urban League warned that the fiscal cliff would disproportionately affect African Americans because they make up a disproportionately large share of the public sector workforce.
A report from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute added to the Urban League's fears, finding that the greater number of African Americans in the public sector had also meant higher rates of job loss during the economic recession.
But the Urban League said here it is determine to stem the tide of job losses. A jobs expo at the conference included hundreds of employers, including Target, CVS and UPS. The conference, which has the theme "jobs rebuild America," also hosted a career and networking fair, with sessions on how to pitch a personal brand or the art of the interview. And the majority of conference-goers showed up in business dress, a detail not lost on Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, a Philadelphia-based literary consultant attending the conference.
"If you notice how people are dressed, it's 8 a.m. in the morning and yet they're suited up, suited down, and ready for business," she said. "There are a lot of African American conferences around the country. But the National Urban League has said: 'This is what we are all about.'"
Mainly because of their so-called “leaders” selling them poison.
And that's just his son Jesse Jr.!
Ironic how it has gotten considerably worse since their hero ObaMao was elected, isn’t it?
Thanks to collectivist policies that YOU support, Jesse.
And if he and the other race baiters (including our dear leader) would just shut the hell up, change might have a chance.
This country offers more opportunity than any other place in history.
If you can’t make it here there is a major problem.
You know what, they don’t seem to notice that at all.
Simply amazing...
I always wonder about that lady in Chicago that was positive Obama was going to make her rent, car, and utility payments for her.
Who knows, maybe she’s getting that paid from welfare or something.
I have wondered if some of those folks ever looked back and felt like they got jilted. Sure haven’t heard of any.
“... and that of the over 2 million Americans in prison, half are black.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVnplh7gnlU
Why didn’t he ask if you have a criminal record stand?
Hey Jesse, I'm free to be unemployed too. I just don't prefer to be unemployed.
It’s hard to believe when you think we’ve got a “black” president too, huh Jesse?
I agree with that to a point. Some areas are depressed and there aren’t many opportunities. I do think some Blacks have it very tough trying to crawl out, especially if they’ve had parents and family members that retard their success or hold them down.
The biggest mistake people with limited income make, is using credit. That can turn you into a slave faster than Boss Hog.
That’s the same for Whites or Blacks too.
If these people lissten to and follow Jackson and Sharpton, they need to be in debt, jobless and in jail.
Government checks and hand-out's make the majority of them VERY HAPPY!
Beats working.
I’m an attorney. I was in court the other day waiting for my case to get called. A black lady showed up for her arraignment on petty misdemeanor charges IN HER PAJAMAS. This seems to be a trendy thing in the black community. Show up in your pajamas, house robe, and slippers. And of course the wear-your-pants-so-your-ass-shows is still all the rage. I mean, seriously? Your folks started you out slow with a name like Shineeqwa anyway, so then you appear in front of a judge in your PJs? I don’t know what to say, except may have at it, just don’t be surprised if you don’t get that job, or that deal on your misdemeanor. You made your choice. Quit complaining.
>Because we work in the public sector,” he said.
Why is that Jackson? Why is it the white boys can’t get a cushy job with taxpayer funds Jackson?
“Al Sharpton argued that black Americans were facing higher unemployment rates because :
“Every since Obama has been in, there’s been an increase in jobs in the private sector but black unemployment has increased. Why? Because we work in the public sector,” he said.”
somebody give that man a smart peel
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