The relationship between race and economics is significant. In America, a person's race often determines their access to healthcare, housing, employment, education, and multiple other resources. As a result, the disenfranchised race is left at a constant disadvantage. There are two economies in the United States, a black economy and a white economy, separate and unequal.
It is a fact that among the black population, one in three blacks live in poverty, three times the white poverty rate. Unemployment among blacks is twice what it is for the white population. The percentage of blacks enrolled in college is dramatically less especially black males. In the workforce blacks are paid less for the same work and goods and services in black communities are offered at higher prices.
Access of and availability to healthcare resources are very different for the races. When research is done to investigate disease processes the subjects used are usually white males, therefore the results obtained and any treatments discovered are geared to the benefit of that population. The pathophysiology of various diseases, such as cancer and heart disease are different among the different races. In the inner city there are less healthcare facilities and qualified physicians. Preventative care is not readily available to the black community and emergent care can and has been denied secondary to a lack of insurance coverage.
In addition, the infant morbidity and mortality rate is three times more for black women than for their white counterparts. In order for society to function at its maximum, there must be a concerted effort of all its members to ensure that everyone has access to the same quality and amount of basic healthcare resources. Many factors contribute to the economic disparity of the races, such as discrimination, ignorance and hate. These factors must be overcome before true progress can be made.
Since the founding of this great country separatism has always ran through its veins. This belief was widely shared by most of the European settlers and applied to all immigrants who were not of European descent. During this era of injustice the American University system had started to form by founding it's first university. Harvard College was founded in 1636, and only educated privileged white males that would go on to guide society in the New World (Nash 133). Women, and other minority groups such as Blacks, Asians, and Native Americans, were not included. This conviction was practiced in all sectors of society; which included social events, politics, trade, and education.
From the early 17th century to the 20th century, the educational system in America has come a long way in terms of inclusion. Although, certain forms of racism are still with us the system has made great strides toward equality. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s won the passage of important legislation. In the area of education the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education was a great victory over the 1896 Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. The latter case declared that segregation of the black and white races was constitutional if the facilities used by each were "separate but equal." With the 1954 Supreme Court decision it was unanimously decreed that "separate facilities are inherently unequal" and concluded that the "separate but equal" doctrine had no place in public education (Christian 387).
Because of the history on which education was founded in America, there are certain races that still have and want to keep their access to certain resources. To counter this action some institutions have taken a positive stand with affirmative-action programs. These programs are voluntary programs instituted by organizations to correct past injustices. "For several years, critics have made attacks on the affirmative-action programs that have changed the racial composition of America's formerly segregated elite colleges, universities, and professional schools. At stake is the degree to which African-American, Latino, and other minority students will have the opportunity to attend highly selective institutions (Shaw 1)."
In the 1978 decision court decision, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the courts prohibited racial quotas but allowed universities to consider race as one factor among many in pursuit of diversity. For the institutions, the issue is whether they can attract a racially diverse group of students and thereby expand the educational experience of all their students. For minority students, the issue is whether the most prestigious educational institutions will be off-limits (Shaw 1). " At the root of the problem, it all comes down to those who believe that minority students that are admitted to elite educational institutions do not deserve to be there. The real issue still remains; will minority students continue to be admitted in significant numbers?
It seems like more courts are denying the impact that race has, and it's effects in our every day lives. Contrary to the popular belief of the privileged, race does matter, even at the turn of the millennium. Looking at America's history with racism, we cannot pretend the issue of race does not exist when it comes to having access to certain economic resources. In the year 2001, race in America still has a powerful impact on life experiences. Race affects your quality of education, where you live, employment opportunities, and the type of health care available to you.
Homeownership often has been thought of as part of the American dream. Many public policies, such as the mortgage interest rate deduction in the income tax system, are aimed at increasing homeownership. The percentage of people owning a home has slightly increased over the past two decades. This percentage, however, varies by age and race. Also, owning a home is an expensive undertaking, which is typically done by borrowing money via a home mortgage.
By race, differences in homeownership are large. In 1998, whereas 70.0 percent of White householders owned a home, only 45.6 percent of Black householders and 53.0 percent of householders of a race other than White or Black (i.e., Asian, American Indian) owned a home. The large homeownership differences by race likely reflect the lower income of Blacks and others relative to the income of Whites, therefore making homeownership less affordable.
Homeownership by race of householder, 1998
White 70.0%
Black 45.6%
Other 53.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing vacancies and homeownership annual statistics: 1998, Housing Vacancy Survey--Annual 1998
Christian, Charles M. Black Saga: The African American Experience: A Chronology. Washington: Civitas, 1999.
Nash, Gary B., et al. The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society. 4th ed. New York: Addison Wesley Educational, 1998.
Shaw, Theodore M., Chronicle of Higher Education: The debate over race needs minority students' voices. 02/25/2000, Vol. 46 Issue 25, pA72, 1p