When it comes to jobs, the president says he gets it.
Americans "aren't looking for a handout," he said in a speech at the Brookings Institute earlier this month. "All they're looking for from Washington is a seriousness of purpose that matches the reality of their struggle." But in order to demonstrate a "seriousness of purpose," the White House must recognize the reality of the struggle of Latino and Black workers and families, upon whom the recession has inflicted disproportionate damage. Without a specific plan to address the jobs crisis in communities of color, the administration's response will be insufficient to bring about true economic recovery.
For minorities, the specter of double-digit unemployment has been a reality for more than nine months. Fully 54% of Latinos report that someone in their household has been directly impacted by the recession. And while the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has brought much-needed relief, aid has yet to make its way to some of the hardest-hit workers and families. In a recent poll, fewer than 30% of Latinos say they see the impact of ARRA at the local level. That is the reality of our struggle.
The president and Congress must put equity and fairness at the center of any new jobs initiative. The following recommendations will ensure that all workers, including Latinos and Blacks, have access to new employment opportunities. Details of these proposals can be found at www.nclr.org/JobsNow.
Create jobs in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. To do this quickly and effectively, local nonprofit organizations should help identify community needs and hire neighborhood people. Workers can repair and maintain buildings, work at community health centers, and take care of children and the elderly.
Stabilize communities by hiring local unemployed workers to repair abandoned and foreclosed homes. If Congress dedicates $1 billion to improving neglected properties, it will help attract buyers and revitalize communities. Anyone who is unemployed, has low levels of income and education, and is not receiving unemployment insurance should go to the top of the list for hiring.
Prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Workforce development programs need more funds and must cast a wider net. It is important that these programs support basic literacy and English-language skills as well as job-specific training. This will help Latinos and other workers prepare for jobs in new and growing industries.
Improve lending to nonprofit and community organizations to provide essential services. In order to meet a greater demand from their communities, these groups need affordable loans and technical assistance so they can improve facilities and equipment. Financial lending institutions should be encouraged to direct 20% of their loans to these organizations and provide them with financial planning, loan management, and loan restructuring services.
Having helped big business and the financial industry, it is now time for the president and the administration to get serious about helping the American worker. We hope that the president's tour of American Main Street opens up his eyes to this reality and that his administration will look to ideas that truly meet the needs of the community in this challenging hour.