Black Unemployment: A Troubling Surge
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Federal Job Cuts Impact Black Workers
The recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a concerning rise in unemployment for Black Americans, especially Black women. The overall unemployment rate for Black Americans reached 7.5% in August (ycharts.com). This figure is much higher than for other racial groups. For example, the unemployment rate for white Americans stayed at 3.7%, and for Hispanics, it was 5.3% (bls.gov). This difference highlights a significant disparity in the job market.
The federal government has cut 97,000 jobs since January (usatoday.com). A large number of these jobs were held by Black workers. This has led to a disproportionate impact on the Black community. The administration is making it hard to track the exact number of federal workers who have been fired (nwlc.org). However, news reports mention many firings. For instance, over 1,300 new hires at the Department of Health and Human Services were reportedly laid off (nbcnews.com). The Department of Veterans Affairs also lost 1,000 employees (nbcnews.com).
Black Women Face Significant Job Losses
Black women in the federal workforce have been hit especially hard. The unemployment rate for Black women increased to 6.7% in August from 6.3% in July (bls.gov). This rise is alarming. Over 306,000 Black women have reportedly lost their jobs since January (usatoday.com). This has resulted in a $37 billion loss to the economy (usatoday.com). These losses are linked to significant budget cuts in federal agencies. Many of these agencies employed a large number of Black women.
Federal jobs were very important for Black women. They make up over 12% of federal employees. These jobs offered civil service protections and fairer pay. This was especially important because Black women often face a wage gap in other jobs. For example, the Department of Education had 28% Black women employees. It saw cuts of nearly 46%. In contrast, agencies with mostly white staff, like the Department of Energy, had much smaller cuts.
August 2025 Unemployment Rates by Group
Targeted Agencies and Their Impact
Specific federal agencies with a high number of Black employees have been targeted for cuts. For instance, nearly 30% of Education employees are Black (nbcnews.com). At the Department of Health and Human Services, 20% of the staff was Black (nbcnews.com). The Department of Veterans Affairs has 24% Black employees (nbcnews.com). These departments have seen significant reductions. About 18% of the entire federal workforce is Black (afrotech.com). This means the cuts are hitting Black workers harder than others.
The reasons for targeting these specific agencies are not fully clear. However, some experts suggest these actions might be an attempt to undermine gains from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and affirmative action (nbcnews.com). Marcus Casey, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, shared this view. This perspective suggests a deeper, more troubling motive behind the job cuts. The impact goes beyond just numbers; it affects the lives and livelihoods of many Black families.
The Role of Federal Jobs in Black Economic Stability
For many decades, working for the federal government provided job security and a path to upward social mobility for the Black community (afrotech.com). These jobs were crucial in building the Black middle class, which is now shrinking (afrotech.com). Federal employment offered steady pay, excellent benefits, and competitive pensions. Often, these jobs did not even require a college degree (capitalbnews.org). This made them a lifeline for Black families, helping them achieve the American dream (capitalbnews.org).
The current job cuts threaten this historical pathway to economic stability. The early days of Donald Trump's return to the White House have changed the sense of opportunity for Black access to federal jobs (capitalbnews.org). This shift creates uncertainty for many. The long-term effects on Black federal workers and their communities are a major concern. While the immediate impact is job loss and economic strain, the future implications for generational wealth and social progress are significant.
Black Representation in Key Federal Agencies
Understanding Federal Workforce Cuts
The term “federal workforce cuts” refers to a reduction in the number of federal employees. This happens mainly through layoffs. While other methods like buyouts or early retirements are possible, the current situation points to mass firings (nwlc.org). These cuts have been happening since January, during the early days of the current administration (capitalbnews.org). This rapid reduction in staff has immediate and severe consequences for those affected.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) collects data on federal employment, including information on Black/African American employees (opm.gov). This data helps track the number of Black employees in the federal workforce over time (opm.gov). However, the removal of diversity data from the OPM website makes it harder to track these numbers (nwlc.org). This lack of transparency makes it difficult for the public to understand the full impact of the job cuts. It also affects accountability.
The Mysterious DOGE and Economic Impact
The “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) is mentioned in connection with job cuts. However, there is no clear definition or explanation of what this department is (nwlc.org). It appears in an article title alongside “Trump” and “Musk,” suggesting its involvement in “attacks on federal workers” (nwlc.org). Without more information, its role and reasons for these cuts remain unclear. This lack of clarity adds to the confusion surrounding the federal workforce changes.
The economic impact of these job losses is substantial. The reported $37 billion loss to the economy is a significant figure (usatoday.com). This figure represents lost wages and reduced spending. Such a large economic hit affects not only the individuals and families involved but also the broader economy. Economists worry that this trend could lead to a larger economic slowdown. This slowdown would eventually affect other sectors of the economy. The saying “Black people are the first fired, last hired” suggests what might come for everyone else.
Economic Consequences of Federal Job Cuts
The Broader Economic Outlook
The rise in Black unemployment may be a warning sign for the wider economy. While overall unemployment rates have remained stable, the sharp increase for Black Americans suggests underlying issues. This structural inequality among Black women could eventually harm the entire economy. If Black women do not consume as much, this could spread throughout the economy. This could lead to a major decline.
The question remains whether the broader labor market will follow the trend of rising Black unemployment. Or, will these disparities be addressed before they become even more severe? The current situation highlights the need for policies that protect vulnerable workers. It also calls for efforts to ensure economic stability for all communities. The future of the economy depends on addressing these inequalities now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
