, Columnist
The Job Market Has Turned Hostile to Black Americans
Why is unemployment skyrocketing among Black Americans?
Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The overall unemployment rate ticked up again in November to 4.6%. That’s an increase from 4.4% in August and 4% at the beginning of the year, but after a government shutdown and a pause in the monthly employment survey, it’s still a little hard to tell whether we’re witnessing a serious labor market downturn or some iffy data amid a modest slowdown.
For Black workers and job seekers, though, there doesn’t seem to be much doubt. Things are awful out there.