
<p>According to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black Americans account for nearly 90% of the newly unemployed adults since April. This reverses a previous trend of improvement over the past two years. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, some labor market analysts suggest that widespread layoffs in the technology and service industries have disproportionately affected Black workers.</p>



<p>There is speculation that the &#8220;George Floyd effect&#8221; has played a role in these job losses. Many corporations made affirmative action hires in response to social justice protests, but these commitments have dwindled amid fears of an economic downturn. Eugene Dilan, a business consultant specializing in equity and diversity, explains that when the economy became unstable, these individuals were seen as expendable, resulting in them being the first to lose their jobs.</p>



<p>The tech industry has seen significant layoffs, with companies like Apple, Google, and Meta (formerly Facebook) terminating tens of thousands of workers. This has contributed to a higher turnover rate among employees responsible for equity, inclusion, and diversity. Microsoft recently announced further job cuts in addition to the ones they had already announced earlier this year.</p>



<p>The report also highlights the persistent racial disparities in unemployment rates. In June, the Black unemployment rate stood at 6%, twice that of White Americans at 3.1%. Historically, Black unemployment rates have consistently been double those of White Americans. Hispanic unemployment rose to 4.6% in the same period, while Asian Americans experienced a rate of 3.2%.</p>



<p>The Gallup and Amazon study reveals underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic adults in top-rated careers. Systemic challenges such as racism, limited job advancement prospects, unsafe neighborhoods, and limited access to quality education continue to hinder opportunities for these communities.</p>



<p>The combination of these factors has led to Black Americans being overrepresented in low-wage jobs. Additionally, competition for these jobs has increased with the rise in illegal immigration, as Black workers find themselves competing with undocumented workers in a cooling labor market.</p>



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<p><a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf</a></p>



<p><a href="https://www.gallup.com/file/analytics/506699/Gallup-Amazon-Careers-of-the-Future-Report.pdf">https://www.gallup.com/file/analytics/506699/Gallup-Amazon-Careers-of-the-Future-Report.pdf</a></p>



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Black Americans Account for 90% of Newly Unemployed Adults
