8 Important Statistics Black America Should Pay Attention To

It’s no secret that us Black folks have some things we have to work on. When looking at almost any segment of our community you’ll find that we lag behind where we shouldn’t or are far ahead when we shouldn’t be. We thought this article from The Atlanta Post was a thought provoking one. There’s so much to do, attend to, and clean up in our community. No one person or group can do it alone—that’s for sure.

However, as you look over these 8 areas of concern in our community ask yourself “Where I am helping?”, “What am I doing?”, “Where can I use my gifts to impact someone else?”. You know what we say over here family…we’ve gotta Stop Playing & Start Pushing. Each One. Teach One. Read this very sobering list and let’s all re-commit to DO OUR PART TO HEAL OURSELVES.

We Must Be The Change We Wish To See  ~Mahatma Gandhi

HIV

According to a recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2011, “Although blacks make up only 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 50.3 percent of all diagnosed cases of HIV. Additionally, the rate of HIV diagnosis among black men is eight times that of whites and two times that of Hispanics, and the rate for black women is 19 times that of whites and four times that of Hispanics.”

Wealth

According to a recent study conducted by the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP) at Brandeis University, “The wealth disparity between white and black households has more than quadrupled, regardless of income bracket.” Predicated on economic data from 1984 to 2007, the IASP study indicated that the average white family in the sample group held around $95,000 more in assets than the average black family. Additionally, the study found that middle-income white families have more assets (stocks, bonds, business interests, real estate other than primary residence) than do high-income black families.

Single Mothers

According to the most recent government figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “72 percent of black mothers are unwed which eclipses that of most other groups: 17 percent of Asians, 29 percent of whites, 53 percent of Hispanics and 66 percent of Native Americans.” To be sure, these statistics do not imply that babies born to unwed mothers will be unsuccessful or devoid of opportunities. However, the data does bespeak of the need for more fathers in the home who are involved in their child’s life.

Secondary Education

According to the US Department of Education, “Nearly half of the nation’s African American students attend high schools in low-income areas with dropout rates that hover in the 40-50% range.” “Dropout factories” (i.e., high schools that routinely have senior classes with 60% fewer students than their entering freshmen classes) are estimated to produce 73% of African American, 66% of Latino, and 34% of White dropouts, respectively.

Higher Education

According to a relatively recent graduation rate report from the Education Sector, an independent think tank, “Fewer than half of the black students who enroll in college graduate from four-year institutions within six years. Nationally, the average six-year graduation rate for all students is 57 percent.”

Moreover, a 2009 Associated Press analysis of government data on the 83 federally designated four-year HBCUs indicated that only 37 percent of their black students finish a degree within six years, which is 4 percentage points lower than the national college graduation rate for black student

Incarceration & Crime

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “The racial composition of the US prison and jail population as of 2008 was 60.21% (African American (non-Hispanic), 20.29% Hispanic, 13.44% White American (non-Hispanic) , and 6.06% Other (American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander American, and Multiracial American).”

Relative to black on black crime, the most recent government statistics indicated that “43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93.1% of whom were killed were African Americans.”

Poverty

According to recent US Census Bureau data, “24.7% of all African-American live in poverty in comparison to 8.6% of all non-Hispanic White, 11.8% of all Asian-American and 23.2% of all Hispanic.” The Labor Department statistics still show the current unemployment rate among blacks hovering around 16 percent, although the economy as a whole has shown some improvement.

Coronary Heart Disease & Stroke

According to the US Centers for Disease Control Health Disparities and Inequalities Report (Jan. 2011), “Black women and men have much higher coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates in the 45–74 age group than women and men of other races. A higher percentage of black women (37.9%) than white women (19.4%) died before age 75 as a result of CHD, as did black men (61.5%) compared with white men (41.5%). And, a higher percentage of black women (39%) died of stroke before age 75 compared with white women (17.3%) as did black men (60.7%) compared to white men (31.1%). “

6 replies
  1. jodi moan stranger
    jodi moan stranger says:

    We are no longer guaranteed the places you have become a person’s information and facts, nonetheless superior topic. My partner and i needs to expend quite some time studying a lot more or maybe finding out far more. Many thanks for excellent info I’d been in search of this review for my vision.

  2. American Gangster
    American Gangster says:

    I was very surprised to read that graduation rates of Blacks from HBCUs is actually lower than from non-HBCUs. Conventional wisdom has always been that if we taught ourselves in a self-loving environment, the result would be better. Now this? Must be a "statistical error"! I mean, my great grandmother and grandmother both learned to read as little girls either at home or in a church-sponsored school where, suffice to say, all the teachers were Colored and there was no government support. And now some college athletes can't even read? What's wrong with this picture? "It's 'complicated', brotha. Just write UNCF a blank check. Don't worry." I AM worried. The NCAA should at least pay those men who bring in millions, yet will be broke when and if they walk across the graduation stage.

  3. Eric
    Eric says:

    Wow! I will say I believe this nation is doomed. I don't care where you come from, whatever you go by, because not one of those statistics reflect good for anyone no matter what your excuse! They aren't even talking about abortion, that's murder! Know, Jesus already gone and handed this over long ago to our Good Lord! I am going to be ready to build an Ark, never look back like Lot's wife, survive the fiery furnace and Lion's den like Daniel and march through the desert no matter how long, Amen! Look up the tornado, earthquake and flood statistics! Animals going down everywhere! Nuclear Weapons and war everywhere! Come on ya'll, it was just meant to be. I will be ready King Jesus

  4. poppajohn818
    poppajohn818 says:

    Excellent article for White people as well.

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