While blacks have achieved economic and health benefits, they have fallen further behind whites in education, social justice, and social commitment since the index was released in 2005. A summary of average results by race in many respects shows just how difficult it is for people of color to overcome systemic racism, says the civil rights organization. “These numbers change so little and so slowly. “What he’s telling me is that this racially based institutional inequality seems to be embedded in American society,” National Urban League President Marc Morial said in an interview. The index shows not only that the average family income for blacks, at $ 43,862, is 37% lower than that of whites, at $ 69,823. Blacks are also less likely to benefit from home ownership, the engine of wealth for generations in America. Census figures show that black couples are more than twice as likely as their white counterparts to refuse a mortgage or home improvement loan, leading to just 59% of the average equity of white households and just 13% of their wealth. “In this area of wealth, we have seen almost no change, none, since the age of civil rights,” Morial said. “The wealth gap has widened.” Among the dozens of health measures, one stands out: Life expectancy has dropped slightly for African Americans, so a black child born today can live up to 74.7, four years less than a white baby. Lifelong inequalities are also emerging: black women are 59% more likely to die as a result of having a child and 31% more likely to die from breast cancer. Black men are 52% more likely to die of prostate cancer. Overdoses afflict the races about equally, while whites are 55% more likely to die death due to cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. Among people 15-24, whites are more than twice as likely to commit suicide, while black men are nine times more likely to die from homicide. Learning gaps abound: Black and white preschoolers are about as well-prepared, but the grades they enter are completely different. Schools with more minority students are more likely to have inexperienced, less trained, and even uncertified teachers. Fewer of these students are enrolled in STEM classes which can lead to higher paid jobs. Black students are less likely to graduate from college. The index uses US Department of Justice statistics to record social justice disputes, noting that blacks are more than twice as likely as whites to experience threats or use of force during clashes with police and three times more likely to be jailed if arrested. In 2020, they were 93% more likely to be victims of hate crimes. Measuring citizen participation, the index cites 2020 census data showing that whites are about 5% more likely to actually register and vote than blacks. Morial chose to publish the report in Atlanta, where a gathering of historically black colleges has long represented high achievement among African Americans, in part because her research shows a declining belief among young people that voting can make a difference. The Urban League responds by launching a “Reclaim Your Vote” campaign. “Georgia is the zero point for voter repression,” Morial said. The legislator’s actions after January 6 were sweeping in their aggression to suppress the vote. We must remain resolute, counteract this. We can not give them up.
