You've heard the saying, "When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches pneumonia." The domestic equivalent to this analogy is the economic condition of African Americans during a recession. When white Americans are having a recession, black Americans are in a virtual depression. For example, the unemployment rate for whites hovers around 9.7 percent, while the unemployment rate for blacks is 15.5 percent. Pick an index (education, home ownership, income) and the disparity with whites is widening exponentially. Did we mention "retreating gains" made since the 1990s, particularly as they relate to the black middle class? We could go on, but we want you to be able to sleep at night. We won't after reading this article.
SOURCE: http://www.thenation.com/article/36882/african-americans-virtual-depression