Annual Social and Economic Supplement<\/a>” to the Current Population Survey.<\/span><\/p>\nPublished Census Bureau data compiled for 2007 show that the Gini ratio for the nation overall was 0.443.\u00a0 Among white households, the Gini ratio was 0.433.\u00a0 For black households, the Gini ratio was 0.472.<\/span><\/p>\nIncome inequality is greatest among black Americans – 0.039 Gini points higher than income inequality among whites and 0.029 Gini points higher than income inequality for the nation.\u00a0 The Gini ratio for Asians, by the way, is 0.414 and 0.432 for Hispanics.<\/span><\/p>\nThe differences between the black, white, and the national Gini ratios are different in a statistically significant sense, meaning that the gaps conveyed by the Gini ratios are “real.”<\/span><\/p>\nWhile we are often critical of the inequality that exists between blacks and whites in America, we seldom raise concerns about the inequality within black America.\u00a0 That inequality is real and it is substantial.<\/span><\/p>\nShould there not be as much concern about inequality within black America as about inequality across America in general?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTheoretically, inequality between blacks and whites can be reduced by reducing inequality between blacks.\u00a0 Therefore, shouldn’t the black community be worried about and work toward extinguishing the problem of black inequality?<\/span><\/p>\nThis problem can be addressed through efforts such as mentoring and opening new businesses in black communities.\u00a0 If one has been fortunate enough to rise, then one should consider giving others a hand.<\/span><\/p>\nInequality within black America, such as with income as reported by the Gini ratio, bear monitoring.\u00a0 If it increases over time, it signals that wealthy blacks may be increasing their income at the expense of other blacks.\u00a0 Such an outcome is inconsistent with the principles of community, and it does not bode well for maintaining a unified black push for equality with the rest of America.<\/span><\/p>\n#\u00a0 #\u00a0 #<\/span><\/p>\nB.B. Robinson, Ph.D.<\/a><\/strong> is a member of the national advisory council of the black leadership network Project 21.\u00a0 You can visit his website at www.blackeconomics.org<\/a>.\u00a0 Comments may be sent to Project21@nationalcenter.org<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nPublished by The National Center for Public Policy Research. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. New Visions Commentaries reflect the views of their author, and not necessarily those of Project 21 or the National Center for Public Policy Research.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00a0 Inequality Within by B.B. Robinson, Ph.D. (bio) An Obama presidency does not expunge the issue of inequality in America. Whether one is concerned with issues such as income or wealth inequality, the differences between white and black Americans as groups remains stark. For example,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,60],"tags":[84],"yoast_head":"\n
Inequality Within, by B.B. Robinson, Ph.D. - The National Center<\/title>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n