The Nation : Blacks’ Gains Held Eroded

Black America faces high unemployment, poverty, the erosion of past gains and “a resurgence of raw racism” as a result of Reagan Administration social and economic policies, the head of a major civil rights group said. Releasing the National Urban League’s annual report on the status of blacks, John E. Jacob, president of the league, said blacks have been the victims of “morally unjust” national policies that have widened the gap between rich and poor, black and white. “The continuing story of racism and discrimination in housing, jobs and other areas has long been neglected,” he said. “We can’t forget that for six years and more, Americans have been told that racism is a thing of the past, that poverty is caused by the habits of the poor, that government can’t do anything about social problems. The result is a national climate of selfishness, and a failure of government to take a positive role in ending racism and disadvantage.”