Ask Judge Mathis

The current recession has certainly taken its toll on everyone. From large corporations to small businesses to families, most of us can fairly say that, in some way, we have suffered a financial loss. But African-Americans, more than any other group, are disproportionately affected by the economic downturn. We are losing jobs at faster rates and, as a result, our net wealth is decreasing. Amid reports of an improving economy, many are still worried about their financial futures. America must continue to support its citizens so that they may withstand this downturn and not come out worse for the wear.
 
The national unemployment rate is currently hovering around 10 percent. For African-Americans, that number is just over 15 percent and, in some states, Illinois for example, its over 18 percent.  For black teens, the number is astronomically high: nearly 41 percent.  To be fair, unemployment rates have always been higher in the African-American community than they are in the general population.  But the recession has increased the unemployment – and wealth – gap between blacks and non-blacks because key industries, such as automotive and manufacturing, have scaled back considerably. It used to be that a black worker could secure a stable job in one of these blue-collar industries and work their way into the middle class. That day is long gone.
 
To compound matters, predatory lending practices that locked many homeowners into high interest rate loans with ballooning payments were prevalent in African-American communities. When the housing crisis reached its dramatic peak, blacks stood out among the millions who lost their homes. Homeownership is the quickest way to build personal wealth. Now, with so many African-Americans having foreclosed on their homes, the financial health of our community is in jeopardy.
 
We are being told the economy is getting better but that the economic growth of America will be irrevocably changed. Businesses will be more conservative when expanding so that they don’t overextend themselves. New jobs will be created at slower rates than in recent years.  Knowing this, it is imperative that the American government makes a commitment to re-train those workers whose industries have been dramatically reduced.
 
High-paying jobs in manufacturing are few and far between; this is the information age and our citizens need to be ready to work in it. For our economy to stay vibrant, government sponsored training programs for downsized employees must be implemented. Additionally, we must work to keep technology jobs here in America. Any company receiving government support or contracts must be required to hire American workers. If there are not enough skilled workers to fill the jobs, we must ensure that people are trained. Lastly, special monitored home loan programs for individuals who foreclosed on their homes during the recession should be created.
 
Taking these steps would ensure that all Americans are able to transition into this new and different workforce and begin to rebuild their lives. As an added benefit, African-American workers would be able to get the skills they need to stay marketable in the workplace while being allowed a fresh start on the road to personal wealth.
 

Earlier this year, major corporations like General Motors, Bank of America and Citigroup received federal dollars – taxpayer money – to keep their operations afloat.  Despite public outcries of corporate excess and financial mismanagement leading the entities to the mess they were in, the government followed through with these bailouts because it was the right thing to do for the nation’s economy.  In the midst of all this, we’ve heard very little about small businesses, which are the backbone of the American economy. This recession has affected them, too. And it’s time we turn our attention in their direction.

 
Small businesses keep America strong, financially. During good economic times, these businesses are responsible for more than 70 percent of all new jobs created. Additionally, a larger percentage of Americans work for small or mid-size businesses than major corporations.  Yet, during tough financial times, such as the one we are currently in, these businesses can be hit so hard that they are forced to shut down.

For decades, Democrats and Republicans have sung the praises of small businesses. After all, what says “American Values” more than an entrepreneur working and saving so that they can open their own company? Singing the praises of these businesses and valuing them enough to make sure they are supported are two very different things.   Finally, our elected officials are stepping up and working to assist and protect small businesses. President Obama would like to increase the amount of Small Business Administration loans.  Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from –Virginia, Warner wants to create a $50 billion loan fund for small businesses. Both men are working within their parties to build support for the initiatives and to create a strategy for bringing them to life.

This is a start. Other elected officials must take an active role and support both plans. But they must also create support networks for those small businesses just starting out. And they should encourage, even in these economic times, more Americans to pursue entrepreneurship. From providing financial assistance to funding classes that help business owners learn all they need to make their venture a success, the government should support small business. After all, it has a vested interest in making sure they succeed.

The Catholic Church, despite its controversies here at home, has long been a world leader in using faith as a tool for creating a better, more just world. On the continent of Africa, where the Church has a large presence, Catholic missionaries have worked to provide food and shelter to those in need. Now, Church leaders are calling on the continent’s leaders to make a change in their policies and practices…or step down.
A group of African Bishops of the Catholic Church recently released a statement on corruption on the continent. Their goal was to bring an end to the self-serving policies that breed repression and tyranny in many African nations.  While the Bishops didn’t go so far as to single out any particular leaders, they did call on those in power who are of the Catholic faith to turn over a new leaf or resign from their posts.
There are approximately 158 million Catholics on the continent of Africa; that number is expected to grow to 230 million by the year 2025. African Bishops have taken the first step in using the Church’s influence on the continent to bring relief and hope to the millions of Africans who live in extreme poverty. The Catholic Church’s highest official, Pope Benedict XVI, himself has spoken out against poverty and disease in Africa and sees the church as a source of democracy and social justice.
Many social justice movements have been lead by communities of faith and their leaders. Gandhi, the highly revered spiritual leader, relied heavily on principles of faith when leading non-violent social protests in India and in Africa. In the U.S., the fight for equal rights for blacks was rooted in the church.  Most recently, organizations like Balm in Gilead have rallied black churches to fight against rising HIV/AID infections amongst our people.
Even though it may not always seem like it, the majority of people in the world are people of faith, whatever their beliefs may be. It is this faith – and the leaders of those organizations – that can bring about real change, spurring leaders to alter their practices. The African Bishop’s call for a new type of African leader should be taken up by Catholics worldwide – and other people of faith who believe in equal rights and justice.  Movements like this often start small but can quickly grow and make a huge impact.