55% v 20% Why?

[d9f1c7]

http://news.sky.com/h...news/article/16185997
I expect to be labelled as racist for pointing out this inconvenient statistic but I think it is an important social question. 55% of young black men are unemployed as opposed to 20% of white men, why such a disparity?

[anotheoldgit]

Don't worry about it, it is only a non-meaning label, on top of which other labels are forever being placed.

[mickrog]

i am waiting to see what Ms Dianne Abbot will say about it....no doubt her and the superior black mothers ,as she describes them, will make a meal of this.

[IggyB]

I don't see why you think you would be labelled racist for pointing out that something in society is stopping young black men from being able to gain employment. I agree with you that in this day and age it is amazing that the colour of your skin can still have such a strong impact on your opportunities in life.

[factor-fiction]

It's a complex issue. No doubt racism/prejudice is a factor but there will be other factors too- e.g. educational qualifications, work ethics/benefit culture, family responsibilities, location (maybe blacks tend to live in areas where fewer jobs exist).

[bazwillrun]

perhaps their attitude and the chip on their shoulders has something to do with it

[jno]

that's half the story.

Have a look at the graph here

http://www.guardian.c...-black-men-unemployed

In the last three years unemployment among whites has risen by a third. Among whites it's shot up far higher.

So the broad reason is that people are sacking blacks faster than they are sacking whites.

Why indeed.

[sp1814]

d9f1c7

One reason may be down toa lack of relevant skills. Another could be racism in the job market. Have a look at this (admittedly old) study - it makes for interesting reading:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3885213.stm

Also, there are proportionally more ethnic minority workers in the public sector. In fiscal downturns, more blacks and Asians will find themselves out of work than whites.

In addition to this, there are a higher number of black workers in casual work (building, labouring etc) which again are hit hardest duringa recession.

What theories do you have?

[sp1814]

Mickrog

Dianne Abbot did not say that black mothers are superior.

She *actually* said, "Black mothers would do anything for their children". She was talking as a black mothers in the context of a radio discussion, which was about black youth crime, and the decision she'd taken to send her child to a private school.

However, that statement has taken on a life of its own....

[mickrog]

whatever....she is a racist a hypocrit and abused her expenses....had the Leader of the Opositionbeen strong enough this person would have been expelled. By saying what she said....and i agree with the quote you stated....she implied that black mothers would do anything wheras white mothers would not....me saying she sees black mothers as sperior is merely stating it more direct than this hypocritical bigot did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tc6Cb3wHu8

[sp1814]

Mickrog

Why do you think she was comparing black mothers to white?

If a Chinese mother had said, "In the Chinese community, education is incredibly important".

Would that be racist against white communities?

If an Asian mother had said, "As an Asian mother, it's incredibly important for me and my family to take in our parents when they can no longer look after themselves".

We know these statements to be largely true - would you see these as indicative of an anti-white attitude?

[mickrog]

cus she is a racist...yes if any nationality had said EXACTLY

[sp1814]

Mickrog

So if someone refers to their own race or nationality, in a complimentary fashion, that makes them racist?

I doubt if many would support that argument, because it's quite...shaky.

[sp1814]

Anyway - getting back to the original question, do you have any theories for d9f1c7?

The Dianne Abbot thing is a distraction and irrelevant.

[mickrog]

if you say so sp QED

[trt]

'' perhaps their attitude and the chip on their shoulders has something to do with it ''

I agree bazwillrun.

[cathfromsaron]

skills deficit? education? attitudes of employers?

[jake-the-peg]

Racism is making generalisations about people based on their race

Compare two statements

55% young black men are unemployed compared with 20% white men

vs

perhaps their attitude and the chip on their shoulders has something to do with it


I'll let you decide which is the racial generalisation and hence racist comment

[bazwillrun]

"hence racist comment "

there is no racist comment, its usually concocted in the minds of people like yourself

[sp1814]

bazwillrun

Perhaps the 'chip on their shoulder' comment doesn't actually progress the discussion, seeing as having a chip on one's shoulder shouldn't pro luxe you from gainful employment.

Did you read my link from the BBC? Any comment on that?

[Seadragon]

From the link -

The ONS calculates unemployment as a percentage of the economically-active population.

The Department for Work and Pensions says that when the figure is changed to include students and those unavailable for work, the proportion of young black unemployed falls to 22%.

"We have introduced a number of measures designed to give all young people the right skills and experience to match them to vacancies," a spokesman said.

"This includes the Work Programme, which assesses people as individuals to discover what barriers are preventing them from getting a job and will then work with them to overcome these problems.'

Fair and just employers would help.