The jobless rate of African Americans increased to 9.7 percent in July 
2008 compared to 9.2 percent in June 2008.
These rates are higher compared to the 5.1 percent jobless rates of whites, 7.4 percent for Hispanics and 4.0 percent for Asians.
Although unemployment rates have increased for both blacks and whites, the jobless rate for Hispanics has actually decreased from 7.7 percent in June, to 7.4 percent in July.
The report also showed that 63.8 percent of African Americans are in the labor force, but over a million African Americans are still unable to find work. This compares to 66.4 percent of whites and 68.6 percent of Hispanics who are employed.
In terms of gender, men have seen the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, while women have a 4.6 percent jobless rate.
According to the Labor Department report, construction, manufacturing, service-providing industries have been hit the hardest, while health care related jobs are increasing.
For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov. For a list of employment links, check out the GMO Employment and Education links page.
*Photo by GMO Photographer Billy Montgomery.
