The Current Closing the racial gap in economic and social power
Apr 15, 2025
Andre Perry, a Brookings Senior Fellow and author of "Black Power Scorecard," dives into the critical connection between economic influence and social justice for Black Americans. He discusses how traditional legal protections fall short for true equality and argues for systemic changes to empower communities through education and homeownership. Perry also navigates the debate on reparations and emphasizes the strengths within Black communities, advocating for positive change driven by investment and civic engagement.
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Key Factors Influencing Black Longevity
- Life expectancy for Black Americans is largely influenced by income, education, home and business ownership, and social networks.
- Negative factors include gun fatalities and children not living with their families, revealing what supports or harms longevity.
Defining Black Power Today
- Black power means having the ability to live a full life with sufficient education, housing, and income.
- Focusing on wealth gaps alone is less practical than addressing life-enabling assets now.
Marriage Is Effect, Not Cause
- Marriage rates increase with improved wealth and education, not the other way around.
- Focusing solely on marriage ignores deeper systemic issues like criminal justice impacts and economic deprivation.