Black Women Face Dire Consequences When Unemployment Rates Rise

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

In a setback to the progress made in narrowing the racial unemployment gap, an increase in joblessness among Black workers has raised concerns over the waning prospects for the Black labor force.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics revealed that the unemployment rate for Black individuals rose from 4.7% to 5.6% between April and May.

Earlier this year, unemployment rates among Black workers reached their lowest levels in over a year, narrowing the gap with their white counterparts.

However, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the economic fate of Black women in America provides compelling evidence of the enduring impact of gender and race discrimination on workers and families.

Researchers at the EPI found that employer practices and government policies have historically disadvantaged Black women compared to white women and men, leading to unfavorable labor market positions.

Negative representations of Black womanhood have reinforced these discriminatory practices and policies.

Additionally, the EPI highlighted that the view of Black women as primary workers, dating back to the era of slavery, has contributed to their devaluation as mothers with caregiving responsibilities at home.

“The unique labor market history and current occupational status of African American women reflect these beliefs and practices,” concluded EPI researchers.

Black women have consistently exhibited the highest levels of labor market participation among all women in the United States, regardless of age, marital status, or the presence of children at home.

WI

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COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

European Leaders Wish to ‘Step Up’ Cooperation on Migrationwith Tunisia

European leaders visiting Tunisia Sunday, June 11, held out the promise of more than 1 billion euros in financial aid as well as investments in undersea data cables and renewable energy in an effort to stem migration from its shores to Europe and restore economic stability to the North African country.

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied hosted the leaders of Italy, the Netherlands and the European Commission for talks aimed at smoothing the way for an international financial bailout of the increasingly troubled country. Support from President Saied is crucial to any European Union deal to curb migration.

On the eve of the talks, Saied made an unannounced visit to a migrant camp in the coastal city of Sfax, a central jumping-off point for boat journeys crossing the Mediterranean to Italy.

Saied spoke with families living in the camp, and pleaded for international aid for Africans who converge on Tunisia as a transit point to reach Europe. He added his country was not the keeper of Europe's borders.

His words, and sympathetic images posted on the president's Facebook page, contrasted sharply with Saied's stance earlier this year, when he stoked racist abuse of Black African migrants in Tunisia with a speech railing against a perceived plot to erase his country's Arab identity.

The president and Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

After the talks, von der Leyen announced a five-point program to support Tunisia, including up to €1.05 billion ($1.1 billion) in aid for Tunisia's indebted budget. The plan will be discussed with all 27 EU countries at their next summit on June 29 and 30, she said.

In addition to the budgetary aid, the EU is discussing investment in high-speed broadband and other digital infrastructure for Tunisia, and 300 million euros in hydrogen and other renewable energy projects, von der Leyen said.

The plan also includes 100 million euros for Tunisian authorities to carry out search-and-rescue operations for migrants and anti-smuggling operations, the Commission’s president said. Amid criticism from migrant advocacy groups about forced repatriations, von der Leyen and Rutte insisted the program would respect human rights.

WI

Vice President Kamala Harris’ Historic Trip to the Bahamas

Vice President Kamala Harris’ trip to The Bahamas on Thursday, June 8, marked a significant step in the United States’ relationship with the Caribbean as it was both historic and consequential.

“She is the highest-ranking White House official to visit the Caribbean nation since John F. Kennedy in 1962,” said a White House senior official during a press call on background for Harris’ day-long trip.

The vice president’s visit, which included a meeting with Caribbean leaders, was accompanied by a string of announcements from the Biden-Harris administration, including more than $100 million in new assistance for the region for needs like getting access to banking and combating the climate crisis. The financial commitments are in direct response to needs communicated by Caribbean leaders to the U.S. in previous meetings hosted by Harris over the past year.

“Strengthening the U.S.-Caribbean relationship is a priority for me, as it is for President Joe Biden,” said Harris, who is of Jamaican descent, during Thursday’s U.S.-Caribbean Leaders Meeting, co-hosted by Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis.

The Biden-Harris administration used Harris’ historic trip to announce $20 million toward the Caribbean Climate Investment Program to “incentivize” the private sector to develop clean energy technologies in the region. Additionally, the White House issued $15 million to support and strengthen emergency response efforts by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

The vice president announced she is also working with the World Bank to help Caribbean nations get more access to increased banking services, including low-cost concessional financing. Harris met with the World Bank’s new president, Ajay Banga, this week and helped coordinate his virtual attendance at Thursday’s meeting with Caribbean leaders.