Our sorry state
Wednesday, Mar 2, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Wall St. Journal…
The lowest state jobless rate for black workers in the country matches the highest rate for white workers in a new analysis.
At 6.7%, Virginia’s black unemployment rate was the lowest in the nation in the fourth quarter. That rate happens to be the same as the jobless rate for white workers in West Virginia, the worst in the country, according to a report from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. […]
In January, black workers faced a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.8%, compared with 4.3% for whites and 4.9% overall.
The worst state for black Americans looking for work? That was Illinois, where the jobless rate was 13.1% in the fourth quarter.
…Adding… Reuters…
Predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Chicago have seen poverty rise and services diminish even as the nation’s third largest city has become less racially segregated, according to a study released on Wednesday.
While Chicago has become more racially balanced over the decades with more neighborhoods showing no majority populations, black areas are seeing economic stagnation or decline, according to the study by the Chicago Urban League, which promotes progress for blacks.
“This is not a situation that’s getting better. This is a situation that’s getting worse,” said Stephanie Bechteler, director of research and evaluation for the Chicago Urban League. “We must put forth time and effort to make a change.”
Despite the progress on racial integration, Bechteler said the city has a long way to go. She noted that the Brookings Institution late last year found that Chicago remained the third most segregated city in the United States behind Milwaukee and New York City.
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:38 am:
I’m not trolling, but maybe Ken Dunkin has a point. Many unions for years refused to hire minorities and many unions are still universally white, especially in regards to their leadership. Now because of Rauner they expect all Democrat legislators to come to their defense? Hopefully the black caucus aligning themselves with afscme, building trades, and other public sector unions can make sure the future hires reflect the diversity of this state.
- guppy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:39 am:
And to think, Virginia bans collective bargaining for government employees…..and yet they have a fairer economy.
- Qui Tam - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:50 am:
=I’m not trolling, but maybe Ken Dunkin has a point.=
Rauner is helping, he hired Dunkin.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:52 am:
Offered for context:
http://www.epi.org/
– MrJM
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:53 am:
That federal payroll in Virginia is pretty sweet. Only California and Texas have more.
http://www.governing.com/gov-data/federal-employees-workforce-numbers-by-state.html
- Hedley Lamarr - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
The IPI is saying, yep right on track!
- Sue - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:08 pm:
Federal employment would only explain employment in the DC area suburbs of Northern VA. Having lived in Virginia/ everyone Needs to think about the VA area similar to Chicago and downstate. It’s two worlds. VA does have a diverse economy and IMO better training programs. It’s pretty pathetic that the swing is almost 100 percent in terms of black employment. Would be curious to look at other areas to see if this is an outlier
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:09 pm:
It is a Catch 22. Politicians feel they have the best chance to win when the can have areas of like racial and/or ethnic voters to elect them. But by doing so, the segregated areas are maintained.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:11 pm:
word, great data source there. Between NoVa and Tidewater, Virginia has a ton of military and bureaucrats, all right. There are also a lot of consulting and service jobs joined at the hip to the Feds in both places.
It’s not as prevalent today as 10-15 years ago, but many a career Naval officer walked out the gate on Friday in the dress whites and back in the gates on Monday in polo shirt and khakis as a freshly minted consultant back in the day. (And here in Illinois we throw a fit if Aunt Mildred does too much substitute teaching after 35-40 years in the classroom.)
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:13 pm:
@Almost the Weekend:
No, your first instinct was correct.
Ken Dunkin is completely messed up.
The AFSCME members, teacher’s union members, child care workers, and personal assistants that Rauner and Dunkin are attacking are high points in diversity in the job market.
If Dunkin and Rauner want to assault the lack of employment opportunities, they should start with Rauner’s old firm.
Despite lucrative public contracts, not one single minority working in Rauner’s firm, if I recall correctly.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:19 pm:
Sue, didn’t see your post. You make a good point, but remember Virginia Beach is the largest (and still the fastest growing) city in the State of VA. Tens of thousands of military jobs in the region. I could be wrong, but I think that the region overall is fairly diverse.
- Chicagonk - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
@AlmostTheWeekend My impression is that some unions (AFSCME and SEIU come to mind) are much more inclusive of minorities than others (building trades unions). I’d only blame the unions in so much as they have supported a political system that continues to leave unresolved the issue of extreme segregation in Chicago.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:36 pm:
Jesse Jackson smearing Governor Rauner as George Wallace is typical of the failed leadership of the minority community in Chicago. For decades the politicians (including Jesse JR.) have failed to make life better for the community. Lack of Economic Development, high unemployment, crime, gun violence, education, drugs, food deserts, broken families have plagued this community. Somehow they keep electing the same people to solve their problems.
- Allen D - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
Having lived in VA for 21 of the last 26 years both in the Navy and out of the Military employed in the public sector and then self employed as well, the Economics of VA is terrific and inclusive rather than exclusive. The Public jobs in VA can join the Union voluntarily (RTW) but cannot bargain for pay raises, they submit to the general assembly their requests… hrmmm sounds like a normal job to me, you go to your boss and request a raise NOT Demand a raise… yep lived it, they are doing quite a few things right there. one of the more inclusive states in the USA.
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
- Almost the Weekend -
“Many unions for years refused to hire minorities and many unions are still universally white, especially in regards to their leadership.”.
What unions are you referring to?
Do you have any proof of your allegations?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:02 pm:
–It’s not as prevalent today as 10-15 years ago, but many a career Naval officer walked out the gate on Friday in the dress whites and back in the gates on Monday in polo shirt and khakis as a freshly minted consultant back in the day.–
AA, one of my high school buddies did just that at the Pentagon. His office was moved across the hall.
It’s amazing that VA and MD don’t slide into Chesapeake Bay from the weight of all that federales money.
And that’s just straight payroll. The contractors, vendors and lobbyists chasing it pay very well, too.
- Steve Miskiewicz - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:58 pm:
I thought electing a Black President got rid of racism in this country for good. And with Donald coming along we’re all going to be winning!
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 7:04 pm:
word, same with my older brother (I’m the underachiever) and most of his close pals from Annapolis. Pulled the pin with 25 and either a full bird or one star and walked right back in as consultants.
When the F-18’s fly over VA Beach, it’s either called “The Sound of Freedom” or “The Sound of Money” depending on one’s point of view.
- cannon649 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 8:51 pm:
The DC area is unlike any other area in country. Hugh Federal, State, Military, Contractors coupled with a government retires make stats very difficult. The southern half of VA also has military and many retirees.
VA is not comparable to Illinois.
- Chicago 20 - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 10:13 am:
-Almost the Weekend
Most of the people who most of the time make vague, baseless, unsupported, stereotypical comments should not post their factless conjecture, especially when it is not true or even almost true.