Black public workers first laid off by job cuts
November 30, 2011
African Americans are experiencing the sharpest edge of layoffs of government and other public workers across the country. The worst of these job cuts were at first avoided by the Obama administration’s federal stimulus package that was designed to prevent state and local layoffs.
Black public workers are one-third more likely to be laid off than their white counterparts, according to a recent article in the New York Times.
The public sector is the largest employer of Black men and the 2nd largest employer of Black women, according to a recent study by the University of California Berkley Center for Labor Research and Education. It is “the single most important source of employment for African Americans,” according to Steven Pitts, author of the study. About one in five African Americans have government jobs. By comparison, 14.6 percent of whites and 11 percent of Hispanics work in the public sector. (People’s World)
Being young, black and female closes some doors, opens others
November 30, 2011
“Black in America,” the long-running CNN exploration of the successes and struggles of African-Americans in this country, has given Americans a look into many aspects of the black experience, but it has yet to take an in-depth look at what it means to be a young black woman.
Since 2008 the successful documentary series and companion website have examined issues of marriage, family life, work, entrepreneurism and leadership among other topics. But the particular combinations of racism, sexism and other biases that influence what it means to be young, female and black remain unanalyzed. Here three young black women talk about these issues in the workplace. (Medill Reports)
Smithsonian black history museum accepts KKK robes
November 29, 2011
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has acquired two Ku Klux Klan robes that will be exhibited in its future home on the National Mall.
One of the robes donated Monday comes from the family of the late writer Stetson Kennedy, who died in August some six decades after he infiltrated the KKK and exposed its secrets.
The second robe belonged to Phineas Miller Nathaniel Wilds, a chaplain in the Klan. It was donated by his great-great-grandson Richard Rousseau.
The $500 million museum is scheduled to open in 2015. Curators are planning exhibits spanning the journey of slaves from Africa, the Civil War, the civil rights movement and accomplishments in music, sports and culture.
Congress has pledged to provide about half of the cost. (AP)
Black Catholics’ survey finds strong ties, strong engagement in church
November 29, 2011
African-American Catholics are much more engaged in their church on a variety of levels than are white Catholics, concludes the first National Black Catholic Survey.
Whether in a majority black church, a mixed or mostly white parish, the survey found African-American Catholics feel satisfied and fulfilled in their parishes, explained retired Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., who is president of the National Black Catholic Congress.
By “engaged,” Bishop Ricard explained, the authors of the report mean African-Americans are involved in their parishes well beyond simply attending Mass somewhat regularly. That includes having strong networks of friends and family in their churches, participating in multiple parish activities and saying their spiritual, emotional and social needs are met there. (National Catholic Reporter)
Clinton: Aid for poor is security priority
November 29, 2011
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says programs to help the world’s poor should be seen as national security priorities as global economic turmoil leaves millions struggling to find work and food.
Her message Wednesday at the world’s premier development aid forum comes as leaders urge donors to boost aid despite tight budgets and the growing financial crisis.
Clinton said countries with expanding economies are less likely to send refugees across their borders or traffic in arms, drugs or people.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said aid is crucial for helping countries struggling with war, AIDS and poverty.
He warned that cutting aid won’t balance government budgets but will hurt the poor. (AP)
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