A year of institutionalized racism
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words from his “Beyond Vietnam” speech still ring true.
“When machines and computers, profit motives, and property
rights are considered more important than people,” he warned, “the giant
triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being
conquered.”
Those words, delivered in 1967, still summarize today’s
political moment. Instead of putting the lives of working Americans first, our
leaders in Congress and the White House have prioritized advancing corporate
profits and wealth concentration, slashing government programs meant to advance
upward mobility, and deploying military forces across the country, increasing
distrust and tension.
This historic regression corresponds with a recessionary
environment for Black America in particular. That’s what my organization, the Joint Center, found in our report, “State
of the Dream 2026: From Regression to Signs of a Black Recession.”
The economic landscape for Black Americans in 2026 is
troubling, with unemployment rates signaling a potential recession. By December
2025, Black
unemployment had reached 7.5 percent — a stark contrast to the
national rate of 4.4 percent. This disparity highlights the persistent economic
inequalities faced by Black communities, which have only been exacerbated by
policy shifts that have weakened the labor market. The volatility in Black
youth unemployment, which fluctuated dramatically in the latter months of 2025,
underscores the precariousness of the situation.
The Trump administration’s executive orders have
systematically dismantled structures aimed at promoting racial equality. By
targeting programs such as Lyndon
Johnson’s 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity executive order and defunding
agencies like the Minority Business Development Agency, the administration
has shifted federal support away from disadvantaged businesses.


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