1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge immediate action on the recession that is here now, particularly the economic crisis devastating Black workers. Black women are experiencing recession-level unemployment at 7.4% while the overall economy's struggles go largely unnoticed. As Representative Ayanna Presley noted, if white Americans experienced the unemployment rates currently affecting Black Americans, the country would be in panic mode. The unemployment rate for white Americans is about 4.4%, nearly half that of Black Americans. Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data revealed the economy actually lost 92,000 jobs since the current administration took office, representing negative job growth that has been underreported. This recession is not just a statistical concern. Black women face intersectional discrimination including anti-Black bias, racism, sexism, and ageism that compounds their economic vulnerability. They are often equal economic partners or primary breadwinners in their households, meaning their job losses have immediate and severe impacts on family stability and generational wealth. The physical toll is also devastating. Black women experience higher rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stress-related illness. The combination of economic insecurity and racial stress is killing Black women from the inside out. We saw similar patterns during COVID when anti-Asian rhetoric pushed Asian American unemployment to 8%. Current anti-DEI rhetoric is translating into economic harm for Black workers, with recent cases showing Black cemetery workers in the South forced to use separate bathrooms from white workers. This is a ten-alarm fire requiring immediate political leadership. Black communities are dealing with economic gunshot wounds while being told to wait behind others with broken arms. A diverse, equitable, inclusive society strengthens the entire economy. What is happening to Black workers is costing our country talent, innovation, and growth. I urge you to prioritize legislation that addresses this recession, ensure accurate economic data reporting, and speak publicly about the disproportionate impact on Black workers. We need honest conversation and immediate action. For more information, please see https://sharidunn.substack.com/p/the-black-recession-no-one-wants