Fuzzcharts Insults the Memory of Coretta Scott King

The graph presents the black unemployment rate since 1995 to counter these lies from Jerry Bowyer:

Even more striking than the booming job market, however, is the rapid improvement in black employment. Last August, BuzzCharts pointed out that black unemployment was historically low. Since then, it has fallen even further. In fact, it has dropped from 10.6 percent in November to 9.3 percent in December to 8.9 percent in January. You have to go all the way back to July 2001 to find lower levels of black unemployment. This drop also undercuts the stereotype that the Democratic party is somehow the party that looks out for minorities: Today’s level of black unemployment is lower than the 9.5 percent average realized between 1995 and 2000, supposedly the height of Clinton’s “economic miracle.” We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Bush’s policies are good for jobs – jobs for all Americans of any color.

Black unemployment fell from 10.3% as of January 1995 to 7.4% as of December 2000. Then it rose to 11.4% as of October 2003. Yes, it is true that this meager economic recovery has reduced some of the increase in unemployment rates during the 2001 to 2003 period for both white and black Americans.

We should also note that unemployment can fall simply because labor force participation rates decline. So I have also graphed the black employment to population ratio since 1995. After a significant rise during the 1995 to 2000 period, this ratio has declined since 2001 with only a very modest recovery over the past couple of years. But as usual – the National Review cheers what in part is a discouraged worker effect.

Jerry Bowyer decides to remember Mrs. King’s life by lying to the readers of the National Review. But look at what a tired old stupid lie it is. He also insults his own readers’ intelligence with this garbage.

Update: Mark Thoma had celebrated the birthdate of Rev. King with a very thoughtful post on the same topic. Also check out the discussion from William Polley.