I have avoided giving an extensive analysis of subgroups within American culture during this series on social indicators. I have been focused on trends at the most aggregate level. However, one measure of the quality of life for the whole society is the degree to which each person has an opportunity for a quality of life similar to other cultural groups. Because of their unique place in American history, African Americans have been subjected to the greatest oppression of any ethnic group within our culture. Their status regarding the privileged status of White Americans can serve as a measure of how well we are doing in achieving equal opportunity for a quality life.
The first social indicators I mentioned in this series were life expectancy and the infant mortality rate. These rates are two of the best indicators for overall quality of life. Life Expectancy talks about the chances of living a long life. The infant mortality rate (number of deaths before age 1 per 1,000 births) talks about the most vulnerable among us and how well our cultural infrastructure meets their needs.
So how are African Americans fairing compared to White Americans?
Life expectancy for African Americans as a percentage of life expectancy for White Americans increased for several years up to the mid-1980s. It was on a trajectory to equal that of White Americans by early this century. However, the rate took a noticeable dive in the late 1980s and stayed flat for the first years of the 1990s. Since then, the gap has been closing again at a rate similar to before 1984.
What happened? My suspicion is that the rate declined due to the devastating crack cocaine epidemic that hit many Black communities in the late 1980s. Murder rates and drug-related deaths soared among young African Americans. (See Crime (Part 1 of 2) ) I don’t think this was the only cause, but I suspect it was a strong contributor.
The African American infant mortality rate declined from 32.6 in 1970 to 14.0 in 2001. However, the rate for White Americans declined even more precipitously. The rate of infant deaths for African Americans compared to White Americans was less than 2 to 1 in 1970, but by 2001 the rate was 2.5 to 1. Several reasons for this include a disparity in the quality of healthcare received. The disparity seems to have leveled out in 1992 and has varied within a narrow range ever since.
Another important indicator of equality is the degree of poverty. How have African Americans faired compared to White Americans?
Some estimates place African American poverty rates above 80% before World War II. By 1975, the rate had dropped to 31.3%. The ratio of the African American rate to the rate for White Americans was 3.5 to 1 in 1975. Except for the minor setback in the 1980s (drug epidemic?), the ratio has slowly declined to a rate of less than 2.5 to 1.
Directly tied to economic viability is education.
The high school graduation rate is nearly approaching the rate for White Americans. The rate of college completion is also improving at a little slower pace. It was just under 40% of the rate for White Americans in 1966 and is now over 60% of that rate. As education is one the most important components of economic advancement, this gives some hope for gains in quality of life for African Americans in the future.
Conclusions
When we look at group measures over time, there has been significant improvement in the absolute quality of life for African Americans. However, when we look at the quality of life relative to White Americans, we get a mixed picture of modest improvement. The quality of life for African Americans relative to White Americans is improving but disappointingly slowly.
I find this a disturbing indicator. The ethnic correlation strongly suggests that equality of opportunity is still a long way off. (Obviously there are many factors, but any way you look at it, there is a stacked deck.)
My question is what to do about it. I know that many of the popular ideas are not really working that well.
Posted by: will spotts | Nov 15, 2005 at 08:39 PM