Saturday, February 6, 2010

Poverty

Poverty limits freedom and is a significant barrier to African American progress. In 2008, a larger proportion of African Americans were poor (24.7%) than any other ethnic group in the United States. In fact, the poverty rate among African Americans stands at almost twice the national poverty rate (13.2%). Despite the fact that African Americans only account for 12.8% of the American population, they make up one quarter of Americans living in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009).

Race, particularly being black, is the most significant predictor of a person’s probability of being poor. Nine out of ten African Americans who reach the age of 75, experience poverty at some point during their adult life (Rank). Not only are African Americans more likely to experience poverty, they are also much more likely than white people to experience long-term poverty (Corcoran). The inheritability of race has important implications for children as well: black children in the lowest income quartiles have a 63% chance of remaining in the bottom, compared with white children who have a 32% chance of staying in the bottom (Hertz). --Psyche Southwell

1 comment:

ajlounyinjurylaw said...

These statistics are alarming.