Racialization Of Poverty Essay, Research Paper
African Americans continue to have high levels of poverty compared to European Americans. What are the causes of these problems, and what are some possible remedies for the future? How are African American women faced with even more discrimination than African American men? There’s an old saying that you don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve come from. To explore our options of improving social justice in the future, we must first take a look at our past. There are specific reasons why African Americans continuously maintain high levels of poverty in the United States. These reasons can be linked to discrimination, lack of education, as well as job opportunities. Work force has a huge impact on the racialization of poverty. These reasons will affect the children of our future.
Year after year since the beginning of World War II, real wages and living standards rose continuously for the typical American person working for a living. When, in the middle of the 1960s, the War on Poverty was declared, the poor were
looked at as the people who were left behind. They were not sharing in social contract because they were a racial minority. African Americans were pushed further and further away from the typical white lifestyle. Lack of job opportunities, education, as well as discrimination played a huge role in the economic status of African Americans. Not to mention that if you are an African American female, you face double the discrimination because of your sex and the color of your skin.
The number of black children born into poverty was 43% in 1968.(1) That number was increased to 46% in 1987, and has dropped by one percent since then.(2) Half of the black women in America are heads of households, and half of them live, with their children, in poverty. In 1965 the average poorest quintile of an African American household was $10,624 in comparison to a white household?s income was $20,212.(3) The richest quintile of African Americans was $60,782 in comparison to whites, which was $84,891.(4) In 1995 the average poorest quintile of an African American household was $10,200 compared to a white person?s household income was $20,916.(5) The richest quintile of an African American household was $84,744 in comparison to white household incomes, which was $125,196.(6) This goes to show that the black household income still lags far behind the white household income, it actually marks a decrease in the income of the poorest black households between 1968 and 1995.(7)
The growth of the black middle class was flourishing. In 1940 only 5.2 percent of black men and 6.4 percent of black women worked in white-collar occupations.(8) However by 1990 this rose to 32 percent for black men and 58.9 percent for black women.(9) This was still below that of the average white families percentile. In 1940 only one percent of black families, compared to 12 percent of white families, had income at least twice as high as the government?s poverty line.(10) By 1995 almost 49 percent of black families did, compared to 75 percent of white families.(11) The duration of Clinton as president was very beneficial to the middle class black population.
Today black women make 94 percent of what white women earn. In 1992, 39.1 percent of black households earned less than $15,000 annually and by 1997 the
percentage had declined to 31 percent.(12) The overall black poverty rate in 1997 was 26.5 percent, which has been the lowest record so far.(13) Overall approximately 1.7 million black Americans went off poverty between 1992 and 1998.(14) This is also because there has been an increase for employment, and more jobs are being created and provided. In 1997, the nations unemployment rate was at 4.6 percent, which has been the lowest since 1970.(15) The increasing influence of many black people rests not only on the removal of racial barriers to their employment, and the implementation of affirmative action programs, but also on the increase of education. At time many more black youths graduated from high school. In 1960 the number of African Americans between the ages of 25-29 who completed high school stood at 37.7 percent, but by 1995 it had climbed to 86.5 percent.(16) The enrollment of blacks in college has also increased. In 1960 136,00 attended college while in 1990 1,300,000 attended.(17) Despite the emergence of a substantial black middle class, many African Americans remained mired in poverty.
In 1997 more then nine million African Americans were below poverty level. (18) The black poverty rate is somewhat lower than that of the Hispanic Americans but more than twice that of non-Hispanics white Americans. Most poor black people are
trapped in inner-city neighborhoods. Many of them are involved with gangs, drug addiction, and high rates of diseases. They are cut off from meaningful participation in
the social and economic life of the rest of the country. This high rate of poverty has a tremendous effect on children of African American decent. More than half of all African
Americans under the age of eighteen live in families with only one parent, which is almost always the mother.(19) Female-headed single parent families suffer from limited earnings capacity, meager public assistance, poor housing, and inferior education.
The number of children living in households run by their mothers is also in high numbers. In 1960 19.9 percent of black women were single mothers running their household, in comparison to white women, which was that of 6.1 percent.(20) In 1990 the number grew increasingly to 58.1 percent for black females and 16.1 percent of white females running the households.(21) So where are these single black females living with their children? The location of the households headed by black women in 1990 was 60.9 percent within central cities, as to where 27.7 percent of white women lived in central cities.(22) Living in Suburbs were 24.3 percent of black females and 49.5 percent white females. Non-metropolitan areas consisted 14.8 percent blacks and 22.8 percent whites.(24) The statistics here show that poverty has only increased through out the last 30 years and will continue if we don?t find a solution.
The fact is that job opportunity is not available to African Americans as well as job training and education. As long as these things keep continuing we are going to be through the same cycle. It isn?t affecting those who are above poverty line, however, it is affecting those who are below and who might never get on top. The cause and effects of this cycle are crucial. It seems as though there are no solutions that will ever end the cycle of poverty and the equality within the labor force. By looking at all these statistics we can come to the conclusion that we do have a real problem. The problem will
continue if we don?t find a solution. Labor plays an important role in the solution of decreasing poverty levels. If we can supply jobs at reasonable wages, then we can gain a lower poverty level.
We can also see the relation that labor ties into the racialization of poverty. If we took the time to solve one problem, then the overall problem of poverty might be
better solved. With out well paying jobs and benefits were are not even allowing the African Americans below poverty level to even play in the game. Perhaps politicians aren?t realizing that by helping those who are on poverty we are actually helping ourselves. However, the help we are giving them now just isn?t enough. It?s impossible to survive on the amounts of money allotted to them. It?s impossible to ever stay ahead of the game. We can see through the statistics given that we have a problem. Perhaps who ever is in charge of this country should try living on welfare for a month or two and see how they manage their money and time with 2 children.
It seems as though talking about solving the problem is often an issue, but when it comes down to action, no one is standing up. There are many things that can contribute to the decrease of poverty. There are large amounts of money being distributed to the military that could contribute to welfare. Whoever is in charge is not providing a plan of action that is working. People on welfare will never get a fair start if we don?t give them the proper chance to do so. The welfare plan is not working; therefore, other things need to be included in this plan of action. More government
funds need to be geared towards welfare. Only one percent is geared towards welfare at this time. More focused needs to be geared towards education, job training, and job opportunity. If we can supply people with childcare, then families will have a place to safely place their children while they are working.
Health services are also another main issue for African Americans on welfare. Proper health care must be provided for both parents and children in order to promote their own well being both physically and mentally. Providing education about birth-
control and STD?s would also be worthwhile. By doing this, we don?t take away their own choices but we provide them with information so that they know the consequences.
The system that is set up now to better the problem of poverty is not working. Perhaps if officials who were elected actually proceeded with the things they promise during their campaign, then this wouldn?t be such a problem. But the fact remains that African Americans who are below the poverty line very rarely vote. We need to go into these areas and give them the education, job opportunities and training, health services, and childcare that will help them recover. We need to promote policies, which improve the lives and developmental capacities of African American low-income children and families in the nation. In the end if this is accomplished we wont just being helping those less fortunate, we will be helping ourselves and bettering the economy for everyone. In the words of Ani Difranco, ?This country is too large
and whoever’s in charge up there had better take the elevator down
and put more than change in our cup or else we?re coming up.?(25)
337
Другие работы по теме:
Discrimination Essay Research Paper Fred L Pincus
Discrimination Essay, Research Paper Fred L. Pincus, author of “From Individual to Structural Discrimination”, is arguing that discrimination is still present among many individual and institutions. The reason why it is not unlawful, according to Pincus, is because the discrimination is so subtle and in some cases it is not done intentionally.
African Americans Essay Research Paper During the
African Americans Essay, Research Paper During the time period of Immigration from the early 1700?s to the mid 1900?s, Africans experienced a lot of conflicts within different racial groups, especially within the Caucasian people. During this time period, most Africans were used as slaves, while the rest either bought their freedom, ran away for their freedom, or became slave hunters.
Descrimination Essay Research Paper discrimination1 The
Descrimination Essay, Research Paper discrimination 1. The federal government attempted to use many laws to protect the rights of the newly freed slaves, such as the Civil rights Act of 1866, which gave African Americans the right
Emperor Haile Selassie Essay Research Paper Booker
Emperor Haile Selassie Essay, Research Paper Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois each fought for African American civil rights in America, but they each approached the matter of Jim Crow a little different from the other. W.E.B Dubois was big on the idea of integration, whereas Booker T. Washington wanted to keep segregation alive.
African Slave Trade Essay Research Paper With
African Slave Trade Essay, Research Paper With exploration arising in the 1400 s, so did the completion for success between Portugal and Spain. Both countries were in search for the ultimate prize of exploration, gold. Portugal sought after Africa and Spain attempted to find more in the Americas. Even though the African slave trade seemed racist in historical perspective, it was indeed more for economic benefits instead because of the necessity of workers by Spaniards and fact that slavery was accepted in Africa.
Modest Proposal Essay Research Paper Jonathan Swift
Modest Proposal Essay, Research Paper Jonathan Swift s “A Modest Proposal” was written in a time when Ireland was in great need of help due to poverty and over population. Swift wrote this proposal to the English to complain of its horrible treatment and to give some way to try to help Ireland out of being over populated and out of poverty.
Poverty In America Essay Research Paper Brandon
Poverty In America Essay, Research Paper Brandon Cristobal Mr.Orozco 9/25/00 Phil 103 ? Poverty, all day, everyday? Coming home everyday to nothing to eat is the scenario for the young children whose parents are on welfare. Those parents are stuck on welfare and can?t give there children anything they want, they take the money the state gives them just to get by, maybe not even able to get the biological needs to survive.
Nixon Essay Research Paper NixonI Civil
Nixon Essay, Research Paper Nixon I. Civil Rights A. Some people, mostly blacks, did not get equal rights. B. Nixon believed fundamentaly in responsible civil rights policy on
Theme In A Raison In The Sun
Essay, Research Paper Theme in the A Raisin in the Sun There are many themes in A Raisin in the Sun. The this play was written by, an African American, Lorraine Hansberry. The three themes
African American Studies Essay Research Paper Ryan
African American Studies Essay, Research Paper Ryan Bradley3/1/00 As African Americans become equal citizens in America they need to establish their own aims and ideas as people. African Americans must do
Abolishing Poverty In The US Essay Research
Paper Abolishing Poverty in The U.S John Boston Sociology 101 October 31, 1996 If I had the power to abolish poverty in the United States I would do it in a second. Abolishing poverty would be almost impossible because there are
Hunger Essay Research Paper Income Poverty
Hunger Essay, Research Paper Income Poverty The latest global numbers The World Bank just updated its estimates of the number of people living in poverty to 1996 and 1998, using 1993 Purchasing Power
Slave Trades Essay Research Paper African slave
Slave Trades Essay, Research Paper African slave trade to the America and the European was much worse than slavery in Africa. In this essay ,I will show you the differences. Where were the slave trade took place. Slavery was mostly happing in North America in the carribean and in Europe.The ships full of slaves mostly come to Cuba.
African Proverbs Essay Research Paper African ProverbsAfrican
African Proverbs Essay, Research Paper African Proverbs African proverbs are thought of much more than artistic sayings. They symbolize real life situations in just a few words that consummate great meaning. In cultures without literature, proverbs provide an array of values and knowledge. Proverbs often, also provide entertainment because they may consist of rhyme or clever allusions.
Poverty Essay Research Paper Ryan BjornstadWhat does
Poverty Essay, Research Paper Ryan Bjornstad What does it mean to be poor in America? There is no single description of American poverty. But for many, perhaps most, it means homes with inadequate heating, unstable plumbing, and uncertain electricity. It often means a home where some go to bed hungry and malnutrition is very frequent.
Poverty Essay Research Paper There are over
Poverty Essay, Research Paper There are over fifteen million people living in poverty today in the United States. The best explanation for this high number is, there is no best explanation. It is just how it is. There are two different theories to help identify the problem. But no theory has been proven correct.
Sharecropping Essay Research Paper SharecroppingSharecropping appeared in
Sharecropping Essay, Research Paper Sharecropping Sharecropping appeared in the Southeastern United States, including Appalachia, after the Civil War as a way to continue post-slavery white supremacy over African Americans, but it ultimately included poor whites as well. It was a way to avoid the now illegal possession of slaves while at the same time keeping workers for labor in a subordinate manner.
Proposal For Reparations Of African Americans Essay
, Research Paper Proposal for Reparations of African Americans Teresa Burk Due to the fact that many African-Americans cannot trace their genealogy back more than three generations, It would be extremely difficult to distinguish
Child Poverty Essay Research Paper Child Poverty
Child Poverty Essay, Research Paper Child Poverty: Is the End Near? The article “Breakdown of family blamed for child poverty” found in the Tuesday March 23, 1999 edition of the Toronto Star, informs the public of a very serious problem – child poverty.
Kindred Essay Essay Research Paper Throughout the
Kindred Essay Essay, Research Paper Throughout the novel Kindred, Butler compared and contrasted modern African Americans with African Americans that were slaves in the novel. Some of the many ways she compares them are through education, work ethic, and their personal feelings about and/or how they handle their own slavery.
Poverty Problems Essay Research Paper Poverty ProblemsWhat
Poverty: Problems Essay, Research Paper Poverty: Problems What is poverty. Poverty is defined in Webster?s Dictionary as a lack of money or material possessions. Therefore, poverty is hunger, lack of shelter, being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.
An Essay On Poverty And Welfare Essay
, Research Paper Essay on Poverty and Welfare Today it seems as if everyone has a theory about fighting poverty, now it is not necessary to be moving in the theoretical plane. Our country has had successful anti-poverty
The Prevalence Of Breast Cancer Among Black
Women Essay, Research Paper Exploring the Growth of Breast Cancer Among African American Women Breast cancer develops as an abnormal growth of cells accumulate within the breast. Recent studies have proven that White
Ebonics Essay Research Paper One of the
Ebonics Essay, Research Paper One of the conflicting issues among African Americans and Caucasians is the issue of ebonics. It s not just an issue facing one race or the other it effects both races
Great Depression Essay Research Paper Cut wages
Great Depression Essay, Research Paper Cut wages, growing unemployment, poverty, and suffering were unforgettable experiences during the Great Depression of the thirties. Many people learned
Ira Aldridge Essay Research Paper Ira Aldridge
Ira Aldridge Essay, Research Paper Ira Aldridge was one of the best Shakespearean actors of all time. He played many of the Shakespearean roles like Macbeth, and King Lear. But his most famous role was Othello.
Child Poverty Essay Research Paper CHILDREN AND
Child Poverty Essay, Research Paper CHILDREN AND POVERTY IN CANADA The purpose of this project is to discuss child poverty and child welfare practice. There is a need to critically examine the issue and situate the causes of
Why Slavery Essay Research Paper Captivity bondage
Why Slavery? Essay, Research Paper Captivity, bondage, restraint, subjugation, and slavery. These words all mean one thing, enslaving someone against their will. Slavery was an episode in history that scarred, many African men, women and children. Slavery tore families apart, shattered dreams, and left African?s feeling shameful and hopeless.
Discrimination In USA Essay Research Paper The
Discrimination In USA Essay, Research Paper The 1920?s were a period of economic boom in USA, but most of all, of discrimination. There were two groups who, apart from remaining out of the economic boom, were discriminated and suffered poverty. These people were Blacks and Immigrants.
Civil Rights Movement Essay Research Paper The
Civil Rights Movement Essay, Research Paper The civil rights movement was a time when a people who where opressed for many years, rose up against the odds and achieved their freedom. An admirable aspect of the civil rights movement was the unachieveable victory that the african americans sought after and made.
African America Women Essay Research Paper OUR
African America Women Essay, Research Paper OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN African American women have excelled in virtually every arena of the world?s spectrum. Born of a desire to succeed, Maggie L. Walker, Shirley Chisolm, Corretta Scott