College Set Your Black-Ass Up To Be Poor
Hello and welcome to the fourth installment of This Black-Ass Life! Sorry it's a little late today - our Black asses were held up by TinyLetter, but we're back!
Thanks to loyal reader and education genius (+our friend), Alemayehu, we’re taking a deep dive into why college sets our Black asses up to fail. Peep this editor’s note from Alemayehu: There are many reasons Black people major in low-earning degrees: They want to help their communities, school choice, etc., but I think the large part that gets ignored is that advisors push Black kids into these tracks.
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l. The Facts
Despite the increases in college access, Black people are highly concentrated and pushed toward low-paying majors.
Black people tend to be overrepresented in low-earning majors.
The top 5 majors we hold are: Health and Medical Administration Services (21%), Human Services and Community Organization (20%), Social Work (19%), Public Administration (17%) and Criminal Justice and Fire Protection (15%).
We’re overrepresented in degrees like “early childhood education” which yields an average $38,000 salary compared to $65,000 for computer science.
And we’re underrepresented in high-paying majors like STEM, health and business. But here is the kicker. Even when we do major in rich careers like STEM, people don't hire us (i.e: Black and Latinx people earn nearly 20% of computer science bachelor's degrees, but they make up only around 5% of the technical workforce at top tech companies).
Furthering the problem, Black people have access to fewer college counselors and the ones we do get access to care less about the major and more about just finishing the degree. So they tend to push us toward low-earning potential programs.
FYI - under the umbrella of human services, one of the top degrees Black people are pushed toward is Family and Consumer Sciences, which is essentially home ec. Yes, HOME. EC. You can see an example of that course load here. This especially happens at HBCU’s.
Why is this important?
Black people have to borrow more to get to college, earn less with our degrees and then have fewer savings. This hurts the Black middle class and any chances we have at economic growth.
Black people are missing completely from entire industries, particularly the innovation economy. We are not proportionally represented in America's innovation economy as technologists, investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs.
When Black college students are pushed into low-paying careers, we cannot gain the social capital we need to thrive and build generational wealth.
Essentially you get screwed by not having money to pay for college, so you borrow, then when you do get a decent degree they won't even pay you enough to thrive.
What can my Black-Ass do?
For those who got it like that, link up with or support these Black investors and venture capitalists. Only 1% of venture backed tech companies have a black founder.
Check out Jopwell, a career advancement platform for Black, Latinx and Native American students and professionals.
Donate money and/or time to Black Girls Code, a national organization dedicated to bringing more women and girls of color into STEM.
ll. Other Things
Internet shutdown is the hottest new tool of oppression in Africa.
In 2016 alone, 11 African countries disrupted internet communications. It happened in Uganda before crucial elections, in Algeria during national exams, and in Ethiopia to combat anti-government protests. In 2017, Cameroon instituted a 93-day blackout in its English-speaking regions, and Togo shut down the internet to stifle protests against President Faure Gnassingbé. These shutdowns violate human rights and are also counterproductive, Africa lost $237 million dollars in 2015 due to shutdowns. Most devastatingly, families who depend on remittances through Western Union or MoneyGram really suffer during these shutdowns.
Our Black-Ass song of the week (Mitu):
I have not stopped looping Lemon by NERD & Rihanna. Watch the video here. Rihanna actually shaves someone’s head for it and honestly I would let her shave my head, too, if it meant I could hang out with her.
Obligatory Kanye check-in:
I can now say a Shade Room post made me tear up: Watch Kanye and Kid Cudi perform together on stage looking mentally healthier than ever.
Things we are looking forward to / not looking forward to:
I don’t care that I (Mitu) am sneaking in another Ye update: I cannot wait to give all my money to whatever new streaming service or other project Kanye currently has cooking.
I (Jumoke) am looking forward to watching every single episode of the new seasons of RHOA and Married to Medicine. No, I do not hate-watch these shows, I actually LOVE them.
ll. After Tuesday's wins, I want to submit this 2012 DNC throwback text from my (Mitu's) mama
Have a great week and take note from the (definitely problematic) Lean On Me’s Morgan Freeman: remember you “don’t have to do nothin’ but stay Black and die.” We’ll hit your inbox next on November 27.