The economy and unity

In the state of Ohio, through October the unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent. Nationally, it was 6.5 percent.

As a result of this, for the first time in 20 years, Ohio will have to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government to pay benefits to unemployed workers.

The state has asked U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao for a $550 million advance to cover shortfalls in December, January and February in the state unemployment compensation trust fund.

...About 128,000 Ohioans are receiving benefits now, nearly a 60 percent increase from last year.

As in any economic situation, some are hurt more than others. Unfortunately, the American system is institutionally uneven in the way that various people are treated.

An AP article entitled Racial disparities persist notes:

A typical black household makes just 62 percent of the income of a typical white household _ a gap that has changed little in 30 years. In 2007, the median household income was $33,900 for black households and $54,900 for white households.

Blacks are nearly three times as likely as whites to live in poverty. In 2007, 24.4 percent of blacks had incomes below the poverty line, compared to 8.2 percent of whites.

As I wrote previously, the Obama election has spurred race crimes around country and ignorance is popping up everywhere.

Many others have commented on this as well.

White supremacy is a primary enemy of working class solidarity. The recent racist attacks are purposeful attempts to divide working people against each other.

Millions are hurting in this economic climate. Now is not the time for petty ignorance. White, black, gay, straight, latino, etc. we are all Americans and we are all feeling the sting from the actions of the current White House administration and previous ones.

This is a time for unity. For solidarity, not division and ignorance. We all need to help each other if and when it is in our means to do so. If you find you have a little extra this holiday season, please think about donating to a food kitchen to help those less fortunate.

As the organization Feeding America notes: one in eight Americans is fighting hunger, and Feeding America needs your help to join in the fight to end this national struggle.