Black unemployment back at Depression-era levels?

Unfortunately, I know at least a half-dozen people who have lost their jobs in the past year. Some of them quickly found other work (even if it was for less pay), while others are still looking.

Of course, layoffs are affecting millions of people these days, but as has always been the case, the unemployment disease is epidemic in the black community. In my latest segment on National Public Radio, I was in a discussion with the economist Julienne Malveaux, who says that unemployment among African-Americans is at the same levels as it was during the depression.


How does this get turned around?

The final News & Notes

Today's a sad day. NPR is cancelling News & Notes, the national radio show that I've been an economics contributor to for the past few years, next week. I'm usually on on Mondays, but because of it's cancellation, we're taping my final show today.

On the agenda: we're talking about President Obama's rocky road so far in trying to deal with the economy, and some personal observations on how the downturn has affected me and those I know. I'm on with economist Julienne Malveaux and host Tony Cox. The show won't air until next week and after that should still be available online at the News & Notes site. Be sure to listen.