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 Two Black AmericasPosted on Apr 3, 2008WASHINGTON—Forty years after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, we sometimes talk about race in America as if nothing had changed. The truth is that everything has changed—mostly for the better—and that if we’re ever going to see King’s dream fulfilled, first we have to acknowledge that this is not an America he would have recognized. On April 4, 1968, it was possible to make the generalization that being black in this country meant being poor; fully 40 percent of black Americans lived below the poverty line, according to census data, with an additional 20 percent barely keeping their heads above water. African-Americans were heavily concentrated in the inner cities and the rural South. We were far less likely than whites to go to college, and our presence in the corporate world was minimal. Today about 25 percent of African-Americans are mired in poverty. In many ways, being black and poor is a more desperate and hopeless condition now than it was 40 years ago. For those who managed to enter the middle class, however, most of the old generalizations no longer apply. There remains a significant income gap between whites and blacks in this country, although it shrinks when educational level is factored in. But the gap in wealth, or net worth, is huge, even when you control for education, age, family size and whatever else you want to throw in. Still, African-Americans control an estimated $800 billion in purchasing power. If that were translated into gross domestic product, a sovereign “Black America” would be the 15th or 16th richest nation on Earth. Forty years ago, not even 2 percent of black households earned the equivalent of $100,000 a year in today’s dollars. Now, about 10 percent of black households have crossed that threshold. George and Louise Jefferson aren’t so lonely anymore in that “deluxe apartment in the sky.” Then again, if “The Jeffersons” was being produced today, George and Louise probably wouldn’t live in an apartment at all. More realistically, they’d be on a cul-de-sac in a suburban community. In Washington and a growing number of cities, more African-Americans now live in the suburbs than within the city limits. In a sense, then, the most striking measure of how far African-Americans have come since 1968 isn’t the rise of Barack Obama. It’s the story of Stanley O’Neal. That’s not to minimize the prospect that a nation midwifed by slavery could soon have its first black president. But O’Neal did something that would have been equally unimaginable 40 years ago. He rose to become chief executive of Merrill Lynch, one of Wall Street’s biggest firms; by all accounts, he was a taskmaster of a boss who cared less about whether subordinates liked him than about the bottom line. He placed big bets on mortgage-backed securities, generating record profits for the firm. When he got caught in the mortgage crisis several months ago and was forced to write off billions in losses, he resigned—and floated back to earth with the help of one of the loveliest golden parachutes Wall Street has seen. Oh, and his grandfather was born a slave. Lacking family wealth accumulated by prior generations, middle-class black Americans are right to worry that their economic success is more precarious than that of many whites. But no one can deny that most African-Americans today have opportunities that weren’t remotely possible 40 years ago. For those who haven’t made it into the middle class, however, things are different. Inner-city communities were hollowed out—a process accelerated by the riots that followed King’s death—and then left fallow for decades. Middle-class professionals fled, businesses closed, schools disintegrated, family structure fell apart. Drugs and crime were symptoms of the general rot; the gentrification of recent years has just shifted the pathology from one part of the city to another, or perhaps to a close-in suburb—swept into a corner. The African-American poor are a smaller segment than they were 40 years ago, but arguably they are further from full participation in society than they were in King’s era. It’s not that they have no interest in climbing the ladder, it’s that too many rungs are missing. It’s misleading, then, to make any general statement about the condition of black Americans without recognizing black America’s diversity. Economically speaking, there is one group of black Americans that has achieved success and one that hasn’t—and the distance between those groups is growing. To make more progress toward Martin Luther King’s dream, we have to take an honest assessment of how far we’ve come—and honestly account for who’s been left behind.
Eugene Robinson’s e-mail address is eugenerobinson(at)washpost.com.
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Jump to Comments
By jimmyjam, April 9 at 1:25 pm #
Mine was Middlesex County Training School,and it was exectly as you say 11 to 16 y/o B&E;’s artist. I though Mass had the only one.. funny
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, April 8 at 5:07 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Yeap,
I want to begin by saying that nothing I am about to say in any way supports George Wallace, his ideas, or his theology.
When George Wallace was shot in Laural Maryland in 1972, he was giving a speech about the unfair economic divide between north and south.
Maybe there is something to this economic death cycle??
Report thisBy cyrena, April 7 at 6:55 pm #
You’ve got a good point here CY, (although I do follow Purple Girl’s theory, based on what actually has occurred in the inner cities over the past several decades).
Still, that was my earlier point about access to these things, that simply don’t exist in the outer lying areas. The services and the other things that one is cut off from in the ‘country’ or even in many of the suburban enclaves.
However in the back and forth between the ‘white flight’ of the 60’s and 70’s (at least here in the West) and the development of all of these suburban enclaves, it DOES still come back to the city. For awhile, all of the ‘burbs were developing to get AWAY from that inner-city development where these “Reservations” for black folks were developing. (AKA ‘the projects’) But out West at least, (well, the parts that I’m familiar with) there came the huge problem of transportation. The ‘commute’. People got tired of driving such long distances to and from ‘the city’ to work, and so a reverse sort of phenomena occurred, and they started moving back.
Obviously, not everywhere, and not there in MI where Purple Girl lives either.
There hasn’t been ANY difference out West though, in the ORIGINAL reservations created for the Native Americans. They are still very far removed from ANYTHING.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, April 7 at 4:41 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
actually, were I poor, I would prefer city poverty to country poverty any day!
Cities have stuff, programs, libraries, Universities, and jobs. The country has… well country!
In all the great civilizations it was the city folk who led the way forward. (Baghdad Athens Rome, Paris, London) There is only one reason for moving the poor to the country...to get them out of sight!
Report thisBy cyrena, April 6 at 8:48 pm #
I agree with you dublin yank.
Excellent ideas here. Now when you speak of the ‘public airwaves’ do you mean both radio and television?
And, how do we get the word to poor people who do not have access to either? (a radio or a TV)
I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I just wanna know some of the logistics involved. Like, how do we get the word out, for kids from poorer families to even KNOW where the local public library is?
This is a nuts and bolts question, ONLY because until I moved back to California, I didn’t even have a local library that could be accessed via public transportation, because there was no public transportation in the area where I lived. (the closest library was only 4 miles away, but I wasn’t into walking that far.)
Later, when I returned home, the nearest library was slightly further, but at least there was public transportation.
So, just some logistical questions to how we actually go about making the most use of our airwaves, after we demand them back.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, April 6 at 9:31 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I don’t know which State you refer to, but most states have done away with laws that prohibit police from arresting 7-year-olds for criminal acts, forget about 12-year-olds.
When I was a boy, the State of New York had a reform school up in Orange County (Warwick)it was just chocked full of 11- to 16 year old B&E;artists. Funny though, it didn’t seem to help the crime rate as crime just kept increasing.
I would never suggest that a person who had community issues do something about them (personally) I suppose your “surprise” might help, but I find that no matter how many rats I trap, there are always more…
Now-a-days I row up the river a bit, I am currently helping a couple of children from the local school with their homework.. It’s called “The Mentor” program, and it seems to be curbing the drop out rate.
It probably won’t change my neighborhood during my lifetime, BUT maybe the folks who live here after me will see some improvement!
Good luck.
Report thisBy dublin yank, April 5 at 5:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
There are no simple solutions to the problems of Americans of all ethnic backgrounds who are below the poverty line. However, here is one idea that might help and would cost very little.
Back in 2002 Senators Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), John McCain (R-Arizona), Robert Torricelli (D-New Jersey) and Representative Martin Meehan (D-Massachusetts) unveiled a Free Air Time Proposal that stated: “This proposal simply tells broadcasters to give back to the American people some of the extraordinary benefits they have reaped from the public airwaves THEY ARE LICENSED TO USE FOR FREE [caps mine].”
This proposal went nowhere --but it’s time to resurrect it again (are you listening, Senators McCain, Clinton and Obama?) and have a national debate about using some of our public airwaves time for important public announcements.
The American people own the airwaves. A lot of our people don’t know that. Why not claim a certain amount of free time on our public airwaves to (1) promote an early introduction to reading for all American toddlers. For example, National Geographic KIDS magazine (for ages 7-14) now has a new magazine for 3- to 6-years old that only costs $15.00 for a one-year bimonthly subscription.
The public could also be asked to contribute funds for all toddlers from poorer families to receive this magazine.
(2) Sports idols (e.g., Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, Serena and Venus Williams, Lorena Ochoa and others) could be asked to make short free commercials on our public airwaves urging kids to get interested in reading at an early age. (Woods, Agassi and Ochoa are to be commended for all they already do to help educate our young people). Young parents should be encouraged to read to their very young children and take them to the local library on weekends. Young rap musicians could also get involved and write snappy songs impressing on young people the importance of a good education. Sample: “If you wish to help your nation, you must get an education...” and so on.
The free public air time could also be used to promote more healthful lifestyles and urge young people to stay away from drugs.
A country that put men on the moon should be able to come up with solutions that don’t cost too much. Since We the People own the public airwaves, it’s time to demand our share of free time. NOW!
Report thisBy lib in texas, April 5 at 8:23 am #
So what are you doing “besides making a good living and living in your ivory tower and appearing on MSNBC and bad mouthing Hillary” about the situation.
Report thisWriting about it “to make money” is not helping.
By Purple Girl, April 5 at 3:12 am #
I have a degree in Sociology, Anthropology & Gerontology. Warehousing runs rampant in this nation for certain segmants of society. These conditions alone cause most of the Sociologuical Problems facing thee groups. What is the % Blacks, Hispanics Asian in the ‘Burbs’ vs the inner cities?
Report thisSpace availabilty (or lack thereof) is the root to not only the Social issues but the Physical ailments many of these groups have High rates of. By studying populations of Deer on a isolated Island (jamestown?) it was shown that Physical abnormalities occur just because of overpopulation. A study of rats showed an increase of ‘gangs ‘ of male rats atttacking others, females not perfoming their normal nesting patterns.. Increased Violence. Food was adequate- it was space. Book with Reading “Hidden Dimensions” Desmond Morris(?) circa 1970’s. I drive through my state MI and see LOTS of open land, but of course no mass transit (thanks Big 3). When ‘Change’ is discussed we should be rethinking the effects of overpopulation is constrained areas. the inner cities should be ONLY for the concentration of industry- Not Humans!
By cyrena, April 4 at 11:49 pm #
Amen to this…
“...Yet those poor that seemingly that benefit from these Social Programs are in fact trapped in a never ending cycle of state-sponsored poverty created by poor schools, poor infrastructure, and poor health...”
AND...all the rest. Your words are true..it’s about the rich-poor. The poor supporting the rich.
Your dad was right. It was OK when MLK and MalX kept it as a racial issue. Otherwise...we see where they both are now. Or, we know they’re dead. That’s the point.
Report thisBy hippy pam, April 4 at 11:04 am #
I live in a very diverse area.SpanishAmerican-NativeAmerican-AfricanAmerican[is that P.C.?]....
Report thisWe have some real great neighbors-But most of the youth-white and black-want to be rappers/gangstas/
dog fighters/crack dealers/welfare receivers…
The MAJORITY of the youth DO NOT WANT AN EDUCATION OR A JOB...They WILL WAIT FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE ON MY STREET TO LEAVE AND BREAK IN AND ROB YOUR HOME…
There are 12 homes on my street-9 of them have been robbed in the last 6 months-the police CAN’T TOUCH
THE PERPS CUZ THEY ARE 12-14 YEARS OLD and THE REAL PEOPLE IN CHARGE[they are in their 20s]NEVER GO IN.THEY STAY OUT SIDE AND RUN THE SHOW...The parents of the 12-14 year olds are in DENIAL-OH-NOT MY KIDS...They were in school today....Yes I AM ONE THAT WAS ROBBED...I DO HOPE THE DO IT WHEN I AM HOME NEXT TIME.I SURE GOT A SURPRISE WAITING....
By Tony Bennett, April 4 at 6:01 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I live 1 block away from Broad St. in Staten Island, N.Y. This street has the distinction of being the dividing line for the greatest wealth-gap in the U.S. On my side the average income is $60,000+ on the other side is Stapleton Projects (Home of the Wu-Tang Clan) where the average income is less than $8,000. This is a racially mixed area, it is also a microcosm of the US in general. I am a Black male who was raised poor (I didn’t think I was poor). I was blessed with parents that instilled hope in their 5 children. I now have a software design business.
The political & economic reality of the US is that more wealth is generated by the poor than by the middle class. How? Military+Prison+Medical Complexes allow the rich few to feed at the Tax trough that the middle-class keep full. Yet those poor that seemingly that benefit from these ‘Social Programs’ are in fact trapped in a never ending cycle of state-sponsored poverty created by poor schools, poor infrastructure, and poor health.
My dad told me as a young man: “MLK, like Malcom X was safe as long as he talked about Black-White. He was a dead man when he address the real issue...rich-poor!”
We still got a long way to go for universal equality!
Report thisBy Expat, April 4 at 3:24 am #
^ dangerous society because it takes power away from the politicians who would rule us. Being united gives a society control and that is the last thing the “elected” politicians want. Lincoln knew that a house divided cannot stand; and so we are witness to chaos; an intentional chaos to keep us under control because in the confusion we can not/will not, unite.
Report thisBy cyrena, April 4 at 2:03 am #
Of course you answered your own question here Outraged…
“..Why do the political polls make the added effort to deduce who women will vote for, or blacks, or hispanics, or young adults, or seniors..etc? Isnt this just an underhanded way to keep the debased ideology alive?”
YUP...it’s an underhanded, (or even overhanded if we think about it) way to keep the debased ideology alive.
OTOH, (at least in respect to the polls) it MIGHT give us an idea of what I actually interpret as ‘progress for all’.
Now that’s just MY interpretation to be sure, and its comprehensive, rather than simple. The polls clearly dont say it all, and they might even make matters worse.
But, take for instance my old dream of 40 years ago, when I naively assumed that all this racism and stuff would eventually die-off with the population that espoused it. Now I assumed that, because in my OWN environment, everybody thought like me We were ALL Americans, and none of us had the slightest bit of patience for any of these racist or other similar mentalities that we attributed to old people. Surely they would simply die off right?
Well, they didnt. The Dream got interrupted, because MLKs DREAM, was in fact for ALL Americans. And here we are, 40 years after it was interrupted, and well my naïve assumptions never proved out. (that they would die-off)
BUT, the polls show that theres still a chance. Younger people do NOT seem as polarized by these things as the over 65 crowd is, even though these are all generalities.
So, while these polls never manage to speak for the silent majority, (like who women are most likely to vote for) since they still dont address the Aint I a Woman question so pointedly asked back in 1851 by Sojourner Truth, and oft repeated since; they do provide a bit of enlightenment on the current state of pockets of the American mentality.
So, they are what they are, and if we consider them is that context, they may have some limited value.
Report thisBy Outraged, April 3 at 10:22 pm #
“Its misleading, then, to make any general statement about the condition of black Americans without recognizing black Americas diversity. Economically speaking, there is one group of black Americans that has achieved success and one that hasntand the distance between those groups is growing. To make more progress toward Martin Luther Kings dream, we have to take an honest assessment of how far weve comeand honestly account for whos been left behind.”
**The distance between the haves and the have nots has grown, and it isn’t just black America. It’s everywhere, and for that reason, black America has experienced it also. However, I do see the same old tortured logic of race superiority used as a tactic to endorse the acceptability of this condition and to stir up age old fictitious demons as the cause.
This has resulted in “white” America falling back upon the same ideologies which keep them in their bleak situation in the first place. I would love to see the America that simply sees everyone as Americans. Isn’t that what we are?
Is there something wrong with that? Why do the political polls make the added effort to deduce who women will vote for, or blacks, or hispanics, or young adults, or seniors..etc? Isn’t this just an underhanded way to keep the debased ideology alive? Aren’t we all Americans and isn’t attaining the best for all of us what we’re striving for? Because if it isn’t, WTF are we trying to do here?
I think the majority of America has come together, but I also think there are those who would rather that not be the case. And so they stir up fictitious contentions in effort to circumvent the will of the citizens of America.
Report thisBy cyrena, April 3 at 10:10 pm #
Well Eugene, this is actually a good piece. I think an improvement over the last.
Report this