Pondering the Negro Question
In a BlackEnterprise.com poll on whether the 2010 Census form should have used the word “Negro†to identify African Americans, the majority of respondents said the word is derogatory and offensive and should not have been used. “I find it amazing that in 2010 we chant change and are hopeful for progression in the future, but yet we are still holding on to the past,†wrote “Dellam,†on BlackEnterprise.com.
African Americans Unemployed Longer
Blacks experience longer periods of unemployment than the general population, according to a report from the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee Majority staff. Though African Americans make up just 11.5% of the labor force, they account for more than 20% of the long-term unemployed, as of February 2010. In addition, they account for 22% of those unemployed for more than a year.
Minorities Not Supported in STEM Education
Regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity, interest in science begins in early childhood. Unfortunately, the U.S. K-12 education system falls short in its encouragement of girls and underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), according to the Bayer Facts of Science Education XIV report. On average, respondents gave the system a “D†for the job it does encouraging minorities to study STEM subjects. Read more about the study in Diversity Watch in the June 2010 issue of Black Enterprise.