The fact that black women are now the most educated gender and race in America is something that calls for a celebration. However, behind this good news that female black Americans fared the best in the U.S. education system is the sad truth that their hard-earned success are not paid off.
Black Women Are Acing The US Education System
Figures of the National Center for Education Statistics showed that black women have the most impressive record in the U.S. education system. From 1999-2000 to 2009-2010 school year, female black Americans received 68 percent of associate's degrees, 66 percent of bachelor's degrees, 71 percent of master's degrees, and 65 percent of all doctorates awarded to black students.
Among U.S. residents in 2009-2010, black women dominated the achievements in the U.S. education system. Female black Americans earned 14 percent of all associate's degrees awarded, 10 percent of bachelor's degrees, 12 percent of master's degrees and 9 percent of doctor's degrees. The data also showed that the number of educated black women has consistently increased between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010 school year.
The Sad Truth Behind The Fact That Black Women Are Acing The US Education System
Black women may have been faring the best in the U.S. education system but it comes with a sad truth that their efforts were not paid off with good jobs. According to Black Demographics, 25 percent of female black Americans aged between 16 and 64 did not earn anything in 2013 and were living below the poverty level.
Moreover, despite acing the U.S. education system in the past years, figures showed that black women were much more likely to end up with jobs in the service industry and were less likely to land "white collar" occupations. Female black Americans who worked full-time in 2013 also had lower average earnings of $33,780 compared to the all-women median earnings of $38,097.
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation reported that black women are completing high school and college education, contributing to the labor force, and establishing businesses, however, they are not rewarded in their hard work. This is an apparent indication that black women continue to suffer from the "race and gender bias" of the society despite faring the best in the U.S. education system.
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