Most Important Racial Gap Closing, Not Growing
Recent figures on life expectancy bring good news for all those who care about racial justice and equal opportunity. A hundred years ago white people averaged fifteen more years of life than black people in the United States – an appalling gap that reflected oppression and poverty among African-Americans. More recently, life expectancy has improved across the board but it’s gone up much faster among black people. Now, the gap has gone down to just three years – its lowest level ever. This reflects the much smaller number of African Americans who drop out of school and become victims of drugs and homicide than in previous decades.
Amazingly, the one ethnic group in the population that lives the longest is Hispanics – with a nearly three-year advantage over white Anglos. Leftists who complain endlessly about “white privilege” should consider that people of color in America have been enjoying the ultimate privilege – more years of living for themselves and their families.