Martin Luther King Jr. Day Report: 2024’s States With The Most Racial Progress

Photos: Wikimedia Commons\YouTube Screenshots

By WalletHub

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, it’s a good time to reflect on the state of race in the U.S., and inequality is still all too apparent. For example, the median yearly income of white, non-Hispanic men is around $20,000 higher than that of Black men, and the unemployment rate is vastly higher for Black people than white people, according to the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite these disappointing stats, some states are still making good headway.

Georgia has made the most racial progress over time, followed by Texas and Mississippi, according to a new report by the personal-finance website WalletHub, which measured 22 indicators across four dimensions: employment and wealth, education, social and civic engagement, and health. WalletHub’s report separately ranked the states with the highest current levels of racial integration, and Hawaii, Arizona and New Mexico came out on top.

“Georgia, the state with the most racial progress, has reduced the gap between the earnings of white and black Americans by over 32% since 1979. It has also decreased the gap in business ownership by over 11% since 2002,” said Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub. “Georgia has made a lot of progress with reducing the poverty rate of black residents and increasing the share of Black business executives, too.”

Racial Progress and Racial Integration

States with the Most Racial Progress Most Integrated States Overall
1. Georgia 1. Hawaii
2. Texas 2. Arizona
3. Mississippi 3. New Mexico
4. New Mexico 4. Washington
5. Wyoming 5. Kentucky
6. Connecticut 6. Alaska
7. New Jersey 7. Delaware
8. Maryland 8. Texas
9. Florida 9. Georgia
10. North Carolina 10. Maryland

Each of the high-ranking states has made strides in unique areas. For example, Texas is one of the only states that has decreased the gap in the share of Black vs. white residents who have at least a bachelor’s degree since 1970. Mississippi has closed the poverty rate gap by nearly 27% since 1970.

When it comes to overall racial integration, Hawaii has the lowest current gap in household income, poverty and business ownership between white and black residents. Arizona ranks highly when it comes to equality in the labor force participation rate and health, and New Mexico has some of the most equal education levels and test scores.

“It’s encouraging to see that many of the states that were the most resistant to integration have made substantial progress toward racial equality in the past fifty years or so,” said Happe. “In fact, four of the states that have made the most racial progress overall are actually now among the top 10 most integrated states, which shows that both people’s attitudes and government policies have changed dramatically.”
 
While racial inequality is too big of a problem for one person to solve, there are still things you can do as an individual to help your community and state make progress.

Tips for Promoting Racial Equality Where You Live

  • Vote for leaders and policies that improve equality: Exercising your civic duty to vote is one of the best ways to have a direct hand in change in your state. Voting for representatives and policies that promote racial equality will improve conditions for people of all races.
  • Volunteer your time and expertise: Helping out at an after-school program, a homeless shelter or a community center can allow you to use your knowledge and skills to improve conditions for all types of people, especially those who are disadvantaged.
  • Donate to local organizations: Giving money to organizations in your state that work to help close the racial gaps in finance and education is a good way to show people you care and have a direct impact.
  • Educate yourself: Take time to learn about the reasons why racial inequality exists, as well as what inequalities are most prominent in your area, so that you can more effectively work to make a change.
  • Support minority-owned businesses: Business ownership is a good way for disadvantaged individuals to attain a better life. Many businesses fail within the first few years, so supporting local businesses is vital for building a strong community.
  • Spend time in diverse communities: Despite segregation being illegal, many neighborhoods still remain racially homogenous. If you don’t live in a diverse area, try to spend time in communities that are. And if you’re looking to move, consider moving to a diverse neighborhood. The more communities integrate, the more cultures will exchange and people will understand each other, leading to greater racial equality in the long-term.


Full report: https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-most-and-least-racial-progress/18428

Source: WalletHub

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *