http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-894085.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Urban league president Gwen Grant gave the city council an overview of the latest "State of Black Kansas City" study Thursday, and said the recession has been very hard on African-Americans.
The study shows an unemployment rate for blacks 3 times that for whites in Missouri counties, 2 times in Kansas. More blacks than whites were stopped, searched and arrested though when stopped whites were more likely to be carrying contraband. African-American test score averages were five points below the cutoff for college admission.
But Grant said the Equality Index study isn't about pointing up problems: "What's important not that we shine the light on these disparities, but what action can we take as an organization, what action can the city council take to close these gaps."
One thing Grant would like to see is more emphasis and education encouraging minorities to start their own businesses and support for those businesses from the city.