3 Diversity Items for June 22

In New York City, African-Americans are feeling the unemployment woes; how Obama's immigration policy is inspiring new hope and more.

In New York City, African-Americans Feeling the Unemployment Woes

African-Americans living in New York City are unemployed at a higher rate and for longer than other racial groups, the New York Times reports. Despite reports by city officials that job prospects in the city have been improving, more than half of African-Americans are out of a job and have been for some time.

This is in stark contrast to the national outlook: 1 million more blacks were employed than the same period one year prior.

Several theories are abound for why blacks in New York are facing unemployment woes, including the possibility that they were overrepresented in industries that suffered the most layoffs, the Times reports.

Read more here.

Commentary: Obama's Immigration Policy Inspires Cautious Hope

President Obama's recent public statements supporting same-sex marriage and his executive order halting deportation of young illegal immigrants has ignited a new group of constituents: the "undocuqueers." Undocumented gay and lesbian young immigrants now have two reasons to count on Obama's reelection, though as many skeptics have noted, Obama's words have only gone so far.

"For us, Obama's recent announcements are more than a political tactic that could give him an increase in Latino or LGBT votes; it's our life that is on the line," writes Marco Antonio Flores. "But the victory is bittersweet. Just like Obama's support of same-sex marriage, this announcement only goes so far."

Read more here.

Romney Addresses Immigration Issue at NALEO

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney addressed the Hispanic constituency with a speech Thursday with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Romney's speech included plans to provide green cards for graduate students and on keeping families together in the county.

Detractors criticized his talk for not specifically addressing illegal immigrants. His proposed policies would only apply to legal immigrants or permanent residents, a Romney insider told the Huffington Post.

Read more here and here.

In New York City, African-Americans Feeling the Unemployment Woes

African-Americans living in New York City are unemployed at a higher rate and for longer than other racial groups, the New York Times reports. Despite reports by city officials that job prospects in the city have been improving, more than half of African-Americans are out of a job and have been for some time.

This is in stark contrast to the national outlook: 1 million more blacks were employed than the same period one year prior.

Several theories are abound for why blacks in New York are facing unemployment woes, including the possibility that they were overrepresented in industries that suffered the most layoffs, the Times reports.

Read more here.

Commentary: Obama's Immigration Policy Inspires Cautious Hope

President Obama's recent public statements supporting same-sex marriage and his executive order halting deportation of young illegal immigrants has ignited a new group of constituents: the "undocuqueers." Undocumented gay and lesbian young immigrants now have two reasons to count on Obama's reelection, though as many skeptics have noted, Obama's words have only gone so far.

"For us, Obama's recent announcements are more than a political tactic that could give him an increase in Latino or LGBT votes; it's our life that is on the line," writes Marco Antonio Flores. "But the victory is bittersweet. Just like Obama's support of same-sex marriage, this announcement only goes so far."

Read more here.

Romney Addresses Immigration Issue at NALEO

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney addressed the Hispanic constituency with a speech Thursday with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Romney's speech included plans to provide green cards for graduate students and on keeping families together in the county.

Detractors criticized his talk for not specifically addressing illegal immigrants. His proposed policies would only apply to legal immigrants or permanent residents, a Romney insider told the Huffington Post.

Read more here and here.