The question of black unemployment raises an obvious point. Whites commonly think that blacks take their job. An enormous number of rejected white job applicants think that they lost their job because of affirmative action.
In effect, the blacks are represented disproportionately in the reserve army of the unemployed. When black unemployment is high, so is white unemployment; hence little downward pressure on wages until the reserve army becomes too depleted.
The fact that we distinguish between black and white employment reflects the reality that many workers see their situation in terms of conflict between black and white instead of capital versus labor. If the races were more united, then we would not be speaking as other posters have been about a fixed wage pie -- or should we say wages fund? -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu