This paper explains the concepts of Affirmative Action (AA) and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the policies developed in post-Apartheid South Africa. It compares it to similar policies adopted in different contexts in Malaysia, India and the U.S.A. It explains and critiques the South African policies on AA and BEE, its history since 1994 and…

This paper presents the findings of a study on software development students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds that have dropped out of universities which have a strong research emphasis. In the UK, these universities are generally part of the Russell Group of Universities. The participants were all male, mainly black, working class and…

Asserts that Blacks must do more to solve their own problems through the creation of employment bases, through an emphasis on factors that have contributed to successes within the Black community, and through a greater effort to channel more of society's resources to the problems of low-income people. (MW)

A premise of this paper is that in his book "The Truly Disadvantaged" (1987), William Julius Wilson fails to recognize the effect of covert racism on the plight of the African American underclass. Wilson asserts that historical racism has contributed to the present predicament of the underclass, who have been abandoned in the ghettos by…

Measured by cash income, the rate of poverty among the age 65 and older population has fallen dramatically, especially since 1974--from 25 percent in 1968 to 14.1 percent in 1983. However, this decline is the result more of an increase in poverty rates for the nonelderly in recent years than of major progress in reducing poverty for those over 65.…

Reports findings from a study investigating the information seeking and information needs of low income African American households in Dallas, Texas. Three hundred households were surveyed; results show information seeking behavior, particularly with regard to employment, health, news, and security issues. (Author/AEF)

A study determined how economically deprived people were portrayed in selected works of children's literature. The content of 30 children's books of realistic fiction written by authors and illustrators of Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners and Honor Books was analyzed. Results indicated that: (1) nearly all economically deprived characters were…

This study investigated communities in 10 randomly selected states to determine the extent to which Local Public Works (LPW) funds, which were disbursed according to procedures intended to benefit areas of unemployment and provide assistance for the chronically unemployed, were actually received in targeted low income or high minority areas. The…

Explores the problem of urban violence, and discusses a research strategy that can help to explain this phenomenon. The author contends that research might best address violence if it was designed to include variables of poverty and racism and was more inclusive of research from a broader range of scientific disciplines. (GR)

The author describes strategies and models (individualized instruction, diagnostic and prescriptive teaching, and behavior modification) which she suggests could result in improved special education services for exceptional children, especially Black and poor students. (CL)

Presents the keynote speech given to the National Urban League Convention in July 1994. The speech charts the course of the Urban League through the remainder of the century. The author suggests three priorities: educating and developing inner city children, helping their families become economically self-sufficient, and encouraging racial…

Recognizing that the economic well-being of older black females is associated with current employment as well as previous work history, this study attempts to determine the extent to which health status influences workforce participation or non-participation by older females, and to ascertain if there are significant differences by race. The study…

Following a review of literature that uncovered conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of formal and informal methods of finding a job, a study was conducted to test the hypothesis that informal methods (such as personal contacts) were more effective for young adults. Data were collected on a group of Southern rural, poverty-level, fifth-…

The health of urban America, particularly that of minority citizens who live in urban America, is so poor in comparison to that of the rest of our nation's citizens that it constitutes a national disgrace and an embarrassment. (Author/MW)

Addresses the rift between black middle and upper classes and those in the so-called underclass, and suggests means for bridging this gap. The author argues that for conditions within the black community to improve, blacks must first take individual and collective responsibility for their destinies. Also explaines which positive,…