For many Americans, particularly in communities of color,
personal economies are not improving. Unemployment rates for both African
Americans and Latinos are twice the national average; therefore creating an economic
disparity higher than ever before. There have been several events throughout
history which have served as stepping stones to equal rights for African
Americans such as the March on Washington and President Roosevelt’s establishment
of the Committee on Fair Employment Practice. Prominent Civil Rights group,
NAACP, has declared that “bridging the racial economic inequality requires
greater economic opportunity and access… Diversity and inclusion is central and
essential to closing the racial economic divide”; which is why last year the
group relaunched its consumer program grading private sector industries. The
Opportunity and Diversity Report Cards assess diversity and inclusion in areas
where job creation and wealth-building opportunities thrive. A report released
last November showed Hotel and Resort industries in need of improvement. People
of color are underwhelming represented in this sector. In fact, they are
exclusively represented in the low-wage low-skilled workforce. In advocacy efforts
by NAACP, an online interactive map has been created which highlights diversity
among the top hotels and tourism sites nationwide, in hopes people will support
these. Over the past few decades, the tool has enabled corporations to create
opportunities for minorities to compete in the workplace. “These opportunities
not only grow African Americans’ businesses and communities, but also the
nation’s economic strength.” Sociologically, this speaks to the idea of raising
the nation’s human capital. Providing all people with equal playing grounds,
such as education and job opportunities, will better the economy all a whole because
each individual is purposeful, useful and necessary in the process. Marginalizing
and stratifying citizens only impedes overall economic prosperity and growth.
Rayna Tyson. April 19, 2013. 1:26PM
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