There can be no talk of equality without eliminating it. Close to half the entire African American population live in poverty. Fully one-third live below the poverty level. Forty-five percent of all Black children grow up in poverty. If you add others living near poverty and receiving government assistance the figure grows to 64 percent.
Black children grow up poor and remain poor.
Young Black men face unemployment rates of 42 percent and now one in three are under the control of the criminal justice system. African American unemployment which is around 15 percent is two and half times the national average. The assault on foundations for enhancing the struggle for equality has been fierce. There have been several Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action. The concept itself has been undermined but not eliminated.