CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND AFRICAN AMERICAN PROSPERITY


Recent accusations claiming that the Clinton Administration did not serve African Americans’ economic interests could not be farther from the truth. You don’t need to take my word for it. At the end of the Clinton Administration, in 1999, The National Urban League wrote, “The economic state of Black America has never been healthier.” [The Urban League, “The State of Black America 1999” quoted in The Star-Ledger, 1/27/00] And JET magazine wrote a lengthy piece which began: “As President Clinton said farewell to the nation in his final televised address, Black Americans across the country recalled with pride his presidency which brought hope, joy and a better way of life.” [“Highlights of Blacks and the Clinton Years 1992-2001.” JET, 2/5/01]

Anyone looking at the facts can see that the Clinton Administration fought tirelessly for economic justice and achieved real results:

By 1998 the median household income of African Americans had risen over 15 percent from its 1993 level. From 1998 to 1999 alone, the median income of African American households increased a record setting 7.7 percent. [HHS Press Release, “Key Facts on Census Income and Poverty Report.” 9/30/99. <link> and Census Bureau, Money Income in the United States: 1999, 9/26/00.

During the last three years of the Administration alone, the real wages of African Americans rose 8.2 percent. [Working on Behalf of African Americans.

This was going on at the same time that unemployment among African Americans fell to a record low in 2000. [National Economic Council.

The African American poverty rate dropped 11% from 1993 to 2000, reaching its lowest level since data was first collected. alone the Earned Income Tax Credit lifted 1.1. African Americans out of poverty. [Poverty In the United States: 1998, Bureau of the Census, 9/30/99

AA poverty rate in 1993 was at 33.1 percent. In 2000 as Unemployment Reached 31-Year Low the AA poverty rate in 2000 at fell to 22.1 percen]

The rate of poverty of African-American children fell over 15 percent in the same time frame. [Poverty In the United States: 1998, Bureau of the Census, 9/30/99


1.3 million African American workers benefited from the Administration’s increase in minimum wage.

And minority homeownership reached a record high. [Bureau of the Census, 1/27/00. <link>

· In addition to improving the economic position of African Americans, the Administration also helped open up college doors to more African Americans, fought for and won funding to expanded Civil Rights Enforcement and the elimination of racial health disparities, and railed against housing discrimination.

· President Clinton knew that for his Administration to be most effective it was important for it to mirror the diversity of the nation. He appointed the most diverse Cabinet and in history and nominated 67 African Americans to the Federal bench.

Well if you want to be all FACTUAL....

WOW! Finally, a few TRUTHFUL WORDS. Unfortunately, since people have a short memory, they must depend on the BIAS media the keep the undocumented "facts" straight. Come on folks- Let's start thinking.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!! You're quoting the bastion of educated Black discourse 'JET'!! BTW who was the 'Jet beauty' that week? First off during every administration their people do whatever to cover their behinds. So HHS surveys really don't impress me!! B/c if they were doing their jobs they'd get more ppl off welfare. But a 15% rise in a share cropper's wage is still a share cropper's wage!!! Clinton dosen't love your lil Black behind and he's succeeding in doing what he set out to do!!!! HE SET OUT TO TURN THIS ELECTION INTO A RCAE ISSUE!!! REMEMBER WILLIE HORTON, HOW IT KILLED DUKAKIS? THIS SCARES ALL THE LITTLE WHITE PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARED THAT 50 CENT will be invited to the White House if Obama gets elected. That's what BILLARY if trying to do. Divide Black Americans into n2 camps. Then use White people's 'Fear of a Black Planet' into erroding support for Obama. So go ahead silly lil Negro and defend him that's what he wants. They want to minimize South Carolina by saying' Of course he won. I told you all those lil N!g@s was going to vote for him!!' Characterize Obama's victory as the 'Black vote' and scaremonger everywhere else!!! Open your eyes. I'm black and I've voted republican in the last 2 elections. I'm not Obama fan but even I can see that play coming!! Just like Schillinger and Aryans Brotherhood on OZ!!!! For them it's always been about race.

catous6,

I don't agree with many of the things you wrote in this post or the one about education, vouchers and NCLB, but I do agree that quoting Jet Magazine has little to no validity. Also, it may be true that the average African-American income rose, but, as you stated, it was lower to begin with.

Let's also keep in mind that, with regards to poverty, African-Americans continue to have the largest % of its subgroup living in poverty. And the poverty rate (in 2004) is $ 22,543 for a 2 parent household with 3 children. (That's about what they'd earn if both parents worked at McDonald's 40 hours a week. So, while the Census Bureau and HHS doesn't consider that family to be living in poverty, most thinking people would.

There's a reason that Marian Wright Edelman and her husband broke camp with the Clinton's after the welfare reform legislation was passed.

"it may be true that the average African-American income rose, but, as you stated, it was lower to begin with"

So improvements don't count for anything, and only full parity does? Interesting.