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The Myth Of Black
Economic Gain in America
Anne Hornsby \
i
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ann Hornsby is Acting-Chairperson in the Department of Economics at Spelman. Ms.
Hornsby received the B.S. Degree from Tuskegee Institute, the M.A. Degree from the University of
Texas at Austin, and is a Doctoral candidate at Georgia State University].
The myth of economic gains
made bv blacks has become
the new conventional wisdom,
and it constitutes a formidable
obstacle to understanding the
current economic plight of a
large number of black
Americans.
The decade of the 1960’si
ushered in the most dramatic 1
and sustained . economic
growth unprecedented to no
other period in American
history. It was during this time!
that the government began to
respond positively to poverty
and discrimination. For the i
first time in the nation’s i
history, national 'legislation
was enacted which provided
income and wider job op
portunities for blacks than at
anv time heretofore.
During the decade of the
19b0’s the white family was :
better off economically than at
any other time in the nation’s
history. In 1947, it has been
reported that the median
family income (in constant
1968 dollars) was $4,716; by j
1967, it rose to $8,318, an j
increase of about $4,000--aftcr j
allowing for inflation.
Blacks, likewise, were able
to reap some of these
economic gains; but, needless:
to say. their gains have been
less than their white coun
terparts. The median income
of white families in 1971 was,
$10,672 compared to $6,440
for blacks.
In 1966, it has been shown
that some twenty-eight per
ient of the five million black
American families had in
comes of over $7,000 a year.
This $7,000 income level at the
time represented the median
standard of living in America.
Since 1960. the proportion of
black American families above
this real income level had
doubled. Therefore, for the
first time in the nation’s
history, a large number of
black families (especially blue
collar family workers) have
been able to reach the medium
standard of liv ing. Hence, the
conventiorjal wisdom would
have it that the blacks are
finally beginning to arrive
economically; that they are
sharing generously in the
mainstream of economic
growth. However, the con
ditions under which the black
has f achieved a median
standard of living arc in
teresting to note. Among other
things, it was necessary in
many instances for individual
members of a given family to
hold down two or more jobs.
Consequently, they did not
have much leisure time to
enjoy their new found wealth.
Currently, it has been
estimated that approximately
one-third of black families
lives in poverty as officially
defined. Again, one must be
suspect of the conventional
wisdom. For of the bottom
one-third. black families
ascribed as living in poverty.
one must recognize that these
families arc often the larger
pnes and that in 1967, con
stituted some 8.3 million
blacks.
| The current economic
recession is wreaking havoc in
tjie black community. The
Unemployment rate among
blacks is. and always has been
extremely high relative to that
for whites. Unemployment
rites among blacks have
declined from a high of 12.6
per cent in 1958 to 8.2 per cent
ini 1968. Among married black
emn. the unemployment rate
fojr 1967 declined to 3.2 per
ccjnt. Yet, despite this decline,
unemployment rates for blacks
are still double those for
whites in every category,
including married men. Even
during the unprecedented
period of sustained economic
grjnvth in the 1960’s,
unemployment among blacks
hajf been continuously above
the six per cent recession level
widely regarded as a sign of
serious economic weakness
when prevalent for the entire
wirk force.
'One can conclude, then, that
blacks in general have not
made significant economic
gains. There is a need for more
w ide-range socioeconomic
legislation (especially the
eh fore ement of such) designed
to ensure that the black
American gets his fair share of
the economic pie. For. this is
h|s birthright and he wants
nothing less.
Waddell Art Gallery Of Trevor Arnett
The Waddell Art Gallery of
Trevor Arnett Library is now
open for exhibition to the
Atlanta University Center and
the public. The Gallery
features fine eolleetions of
Afro-American and African rt
and sculpture. The Gallery will
ibe open for three hours each
idav.
'■ Monday - 10a.m. to 1 p.m.
: Tuesday - 10a.m. to 1 p.m.
i Wednesday - 1 p.m. to4 p.m.
; Thursday - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
; Fridav - To be announced
The Year Of The Tiger
Clarence Williams
Robert Jcmison
Staff Reporters
The Morehouse College
football team should be one of
the octter teams in tne
Southern Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference this Year.
The team possesses the
potential to emerge with a
winning record this year. Last
season Morehouse was a
threat to score from any point
on the field. This season the
offensive team surpasses that
potential. Led by all S.I.A.C.
wide-receiver Alex "sweet
feet" Percival who caught 47
passes last year which were
good for 9 touchdowns,
Morehouse should have a
great.strength in the receiving
department. Jerome Bogcrs
should get the call as the
(Patty HearstJ
"Feimaie Factory"
Debbl Newton
Editor
The capture and arrest of Patty Hearst concludes one of the
most farfetched cases of criminal disobedience in the history of
western twentieth century. Undiguised terror? Animosity for the
wealth to which she was so accustomed? Thought control
radicalization by the Symbionese Party members? Or was Patty
Hearst simply angry with her parents?
Let’s face the facts, Patty Hearst was not a victim of her
environment for that too often implies disadvantages and we
know that Patty Hearst is not disadvantaged. She is the daughter
of a wealthy newspaper tycoon. Patty Hearts has never been
without for the love of money.
If this is the payback to an advantaged life in the Hearst family
empire one thing is certain, Patty Hearst just does not figure.
But then again, all rich white heiresses can’t be Samuel Bron
fmans and all Patty Hearsts can’t be lily white.
Patty Hearst was a major charcter in the dramatic hoax. As a
result of her role, we know now that her father, Randolph
Hearst, has contacts with the mob here in America and if nothing
else, he access; to it’s services.
When Patty Hearst goes to trial what will be on trial will be the
traditionally accepted pedestals of American society-white
womanhood and capital wealth. The prediction is that within a
few short months, Patty Hearst will be free as you or I have ever
been, but not as free as Emily and George Harris her cohorts.
Something good happend in the evolution of the Symbionese
process. Poor people were fed while the rich scorned the ab
dication of wealth and power on national television. All to no
avail, for a year would come and go before Patricia Hearst,
UCLA liberal, would be captured by the FBI.
Patty Hearst is a symbolic social phenomena for the white
youth of America. Conversely, black youth realize the im
plications of the death of General Cinque better known as Donald
DeFreeze, the leader of the SLA. For Patty Hearst, life will more
than likely be a return to her role at UCLA, perhaps a tour of the
country, and lectures to the “people.”
It is difficult to imagine that this episodic event will adversely
affect the radicalism of white America and her youth, for
radicalism is endemic to the character of America. Black youth
on the other hand, have the opportunity to observe the motions
of legalities and the so-called justice of bicentennial America,
and be thankful that our role can be relegated to the productive
element of this policy labeled democratic. It is true that without
theories, one is a pawn, as was perhaps Patty Hearst.
In the final analysis, we learn some key things from this event.
Number ony, that terrorism can and does feed people. That
wealth and violence in American society are closely connected or
at least have an abiding relationship, and that one must pay the
price for the illegalities committed in the name of revolution-if
one is black and dares address himself as general.
starting quarterback.
The problem area for the
team will be the defense which
is suffering the most at the
linebacker spot. This position
will more than likely be filled
by an inexperienced player.
The players' attitudes are
good and the problem should
be eliminated before the first
game. Leading the defense
will be Anthony “spoon”
Griffin who should be tough in
the Tiger defense. This year’s
team has quite an array of
freshman talent which should
definitely give the team added
strength.
This year Morehouse should
emerge with a tough team that
has a commitment to ex
cellence and victory that will
make this year: THE YEAR
OF THE TIGER.
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