Economics
Several articles on economics have shown that African Americans in the state have lagged behind in obtaining economic parity with Whites (Njoku, 1990; Washington, 1993), despite progress in the private sector that has occurred through “political and social pressures, and the effectiveness of Affirmative Action as the instrument for change” (Clyburn, 1991, p. 60). Opportunities have opened up, but not sufficiently. Mr. James Clyburn, then State Commissioner on Human Affairs, called for “a work place in which all participants – whatever their cultural background -- can be maximally productive” (Clyburn, 1991, p. 66).
The state government can play a significant role in closing the economic gap between Blacks and Whites in a number of ways. One is through procurement, another is hiring. Attorney Allard A. Allston’s (1988) review of the state’s minority procurement code revealed an attitude of indifference by agency heads, rather than an affirmative approach to seek out and use African Americans. Additionally, the hiring of African Americans in positions at the upper levels of state government remains limited.
Black businesses can also play an important role in closing the economic disparity gap, but those businesses need greater support.
“Black business is essential to improving the quality of life for all South Carolinians” (Gadson, 1989, p. 25), an author stated in our initial report. In the Millennium edition and in the current edition, Dr. John Cole and Dr. Lucy Reuben (2000; 2007), both professors and economists, discuss how support for African American businesses can help close that gap and strengthen the state’s economy, largely because such businesses create jobs in communities where African Americans live.