Al Sharpton: Republicans to Blame for High Black Unemployment

Cuts to government jobs are the cause, he says. Is he right?

Al Sharpton is not often taken very seriously outside his circle of MSNBC-watching fans, but this week he made at least one good point.

He blamed the high black unemployment rate on post-2009 cuts to government jobs, and he blamed Republicans for the cuts.

Sharpton's correct that government job rolls are occupied by black employees at a higher rate than whites. He's also correct that the black unemployment rate is much higher: it stood at 14.3% in October, compared to an overall rate of 7.9%.

He's also correct to suggest the government job losses are concentrated in red states. Since 2010, 70% of government job losses took place in just 12 red states that have Republican-controlled legislatures: Alabama, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. The other states shed far fewer government jobs, or even took on more workers, the Nation claims. Since 2009, 636,000 state and local government jobs have been cut nationwide.

Via the Right Scoop and Dave Weigel at Slate.

Do you approve of the cuts to government jobs since 2009?

[Hireman]

Can this guy do anything but blame white people? How's about some real solutions instead of complaining?

[Lorth]

Excuse me but he is blaming Republicans and I'm positive I counted at least 38 black Republicans in the audience at the RNC.

[marine1]

we ought to be able to justifiably insut this guy for weeks. I think we can blame the economy and global warming on him

[mudzangandoro]

He said republicans not "white" people.

[MBernard]

I thought he said republicans too, unless I am seeing things.

[PNWest]

@Lorth I think they were with the networks. I saw them too. They were easy to pick out because the GOP delegates were throwing peanuts at them and calling them names.

[Lorth]

Probably some of them. If someone will provide a detailed list - I could go through it for you.

[MongoAPillager]

so the government is the most racially biased and inept entity??HHmmm are Government jobs o minority's a handout??

[Lorth]

Not my take - as a white person who wouldn't consider taking a government job - my take is people take the best options available to them. Unfortunately for them, the military and government work are the least racially biased opportunities out there.

[MongoAPillager]

@Lorth yea,there's a fishhook here somewhere.i'm just to tired to figure it out n a timely fashion

[Lorth]

@MongoAPillager - Well, could always try discussing a statement on the merits. ;)

[MongoAPillager]

@Lorth Sorry,Mongo no smoke

[MongoAPillager]

@Lorth actually by being unbiased in a biased fashion would make those jobs the most racist per affirmative action??

[marine1]

so, state goverment ,"is" racist?

[stepped_in_it]

No, I think he's saying the Feds .....are ......racists. And who's the CIC of the fed government.....(did I say that out loud?)

[marine1]

@stepped_in_it shout it from the mountain

[marine1]

@stepped_in_it pitomus excuse for a man.

[Rocker]

When there are cuts in the state or federal governments, the lower echelon endures the cuts. Always has, always will. The Dept heads and Managers don't get the ax. And cutting out money and positions is no good unless the process is streamlined for efficiency.

[kirbstomp1]

Al Sharpton is to blame for high unemployment lol

[paperdragons81]

Al sharpton is a racist and an idiot..

[Denizen_Kate]

On the one hand, state, federal and local governments are very pro-EEO, therefore more minorities are hired as a percentage of the whole workforce in government. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is well known that there is a lot of trimming to be done in many government programs on all levels, and I don't think it can ALL be blamed on Republicans. There's more to it than just numbers.

[Middleman]

How about we just stick to hiring the most qualified.... Getting really tired of having EEO to bludgeon employers with

[Denizen_Kate]

@Middleman - not condoning, just saying.

[Zoe2012]

Sure, keep cutting. Who in their right mind would pay any attention to Sharpton? He sounds like a typical, uneducated democrat. Besides, MSNBC, Ha!

[MRMacrum]

"He sounds like a typical, uneducated democrat."

.......... as opposed to the typical uneducated Republican?

[Zoe2012]

@MRMacrum No!

[MRMacrum]

@Zoe2012 - Yes!

[JpMonty]

Seriously, you people actually care what racist ole Al Sharpton thinks? Give me a break!!!! The republicans aren't the only ones to blame!!!

Question: Over the past 50 years, what two established parties have had, and still has control over the United States? That's what I thought!!! The establishment in general is to blame for the unemployment effecting ALL RACES!!!

How bout we ignore this race baiting, and figure up a solution that will benefit ALL Americans!!! We can start by abandoning both of these treasonous parties that have done nothing for us but start unconstitutional wars and spend us into debt!!!

I am an American who is not recognized by the color of my skin, and I approve this message!

[Thegrif]

Sharpton I didn't realize there was black unemployment. So how did Republicans (whites is what I think he was really saying) cause blacks to be unemployed?
Keep it about race and we will get no where.
Funny though, just look at the demographic break down of election results. 93% of one race voted for Obama. I am not positive but I do not know of a time when a candidate got 93% of a single race to vote for them, even when all the candidates were white and the only people allowed to vote were white.
I am tempted to go start the Nation Whitey College Fund. Man this ticks me off.

[Ashstop]

No, I want more cuts because I want a smaller goverment, an ever growing goverment will be our downfall as it has many other great nations

[Jackie312gm]

Mr. Sharpton is with out doubt a true assholelism practicioner.

[FollowTheMoney]

Al Sharpton...Heh heh heh.......

[FollowTheMoney]

Not even close to enough government job cuts. not even close.

[Belin]

Al Sharpton would blame everything on republicans and white people. I personally feel he just wants attention. Notice how he jumps on every band-wagon that could get him in the spot light. No, it's not the republicans fault if black people lost their jobs. The republicans only hold a majority in the house. Democrats have the senate and the president! Time for Sharpton to look at Obama and realize it's the democrats fault!

[Sabio]

hell yes! And we need to cut more! The "Idiot Al Sharpton" is a damn tool. He needs to shut his racist, shake down thug mouth!

[tomincali]

guess this guy can't see that illegal immigration is hitting those folks worst than anyone in the job market and the guy he like as president threw all manual laborers under the bus for another vote.

[Dan_Tien]

Government waste is the first area that should be cleaned up, so yes, I think fewer government jobs and subsequently fewer golden pension plans is a good thing. If more black people get government jobs due to affirmative action, then it stands to reason that more black people kept their jobs when cuts were made, as well.

[2b1ask1]

Well sure he is right....Just look at all of the "pillars of the community" hanging out on the street corners practicing their "independent pharmaceutical distributor" skills on a daily basis in the larger cities. Lazy, no good, entitlement receiving, waste of good air sub human douche bags!!