10 facts about minorities

Black communities are 75% more likely to live near oil refineries and toxic waste sites, leading to higher rates of asthma and cancer. In 2024, Black Americans are 3 times more likely to be displaced by climate disasters like hurricanes and flooding. Environmental racism is real—Black communities bear the brunt of pollution. Climate justice must be racial justice!

Lack of Government Support
In 2024, only 15% of government contracts go to minority-owned businesses, despite promises of support. Black Americans continue to face barriers in accessing welfare, food stamps, and housing assistance. Federal spending disproportionately benefits wealthier, whiter communities. We need targeted government policies that uplift Black communities, not neglect them.

The Housing Crisis
Black homeownership rates are at just 44% in 2024, compared to 74% for white Americans. Redlining and discriminatory lending practices have blocked Black families from home equity for generations. Black renters face eviction rates 3 times higher than white renters. Housing is a right, not a privilege. Let’s push for fair housing policies.

Black Mental Health
Only 25% of Black Americans with mental health needs receive treatment in 2024. Systemic racism and economic inequality exacerbate mental health issues in the Black community. Black men are 20% more likely to suffer from depression but less likely to seek help. Culturally competent mental health care is essential, and we must break the stigma.

School-to-Prison Pipeline
In 2024, Black students are 3.5 times more likely to be suspended or expelled than white students. This starts the cycle: suspended students are twice as likely to be arrested later in life. 40% of the juvenile justice population is Black, though Black youth make up just 15% of the total U.S. youth population. We need to break this pipeline and invest in Black futures.

Representation in Media
Despite progress, Black actors only make up 12% of lead roles in film and television in 2024. Black stories are still underrepresented, and negative stereotypes persist. Media has the power to shape culture, and we need more diverse voices both in front of and behind the camera. Representation matters, and we demand better.

Digital Divide
In 2024, 30% of Black households lack high-speed internet access, compared to 15% of white households. This digital divide worsens education and job opportunities for Black Americans. During the pandemic, remote learning revealed the stark inequalities in digital access. We need policies that ensure every household has affordable internet.

Prison System
Black Americans are 5 times more likely to be incarcerated than white Americans in 2024. Black people make up 33% of the prison population, despite being just 13% of the U.S. population. The racial bias in sentencing means Black individuals receive 19% longer sentences than their white counterparts for the same crimes. Reforming the prison system is key to racial justice.

Voter Suppression
In 2024, new voter ID laws disproportionately impact Black voters, with 25% of Black Americans lacking the necessary ID. Gerrymandering and voter roll purges target predominantly Black communities. The Black vote is powerful, and that’s why it’s being suppressed. Protecting voting rights is protecting democracy

Gun Violence in Black Communities

Black Americans are 10 times more likely to die from gun violence than white Americans in 2024. 57% of Black homicide victims are killed by firearms, often in underfunded, over-policed neighborhoods. We need better gun control laws and more investment in community safety, not more guns. Gun violence is a public health crisis.

Environmental Injustice
Black neighborhoods are 79% more likely to be affected by air pollution and industrial waste in 2024. Communities in Detroit, Houston, and New Orleans are ground zero for environmental hazards. Environmental racism is killing Black communities, and it’s time for systemic change. Clean air and water shouldn’t be a privilege—they’re rights.

Youth Unemployment
In 2024, the unemployment rate for Black youth aged 16-24 is 17%, compared to 8.5% for white youth. Lack of access to quality education and job training programs fuels the disparity. Black youth are twice as likely to be employed in low-wage, dead-end jobs. We need to create more pathways to success for Black youth, starting with job opportunities.