Here are some of the specific ways that the Great Depression affected Black people:
* Unemployment rates were much higher for Black workers than for white workers. In 1931, for example, the unemployment rate for Black men was 20.6%, compared to 15.9% for white men. And the unemployment rate for Black women was 32.3%, compared to 20.9% for white women.
* Black workers were often the first to be laid off during economic downturns. This was because many Black workers held jobs in industries that were especially hard-hit by the Great Depression, such as manufacturing, mining, and construction.
* Even when they were able to find jobs, Black workers were often paid less than white workers for the same work. This wage gap was due in part to discrimination by employers and unions.
* Black people were also more likely to lose their homes during the Great Depression. This was because they often had less equity in their homes than white homeowners, and they were more likely to be targeted by predatory lending practices.
* The Great Depression also exacerbated the educational disparities between Black and white students. This was because many Black schools were underfunded and overcrowded, and many Black children were forced to drop out of school in order to help support their families.
In addition to these economic challenges, Black people during the Great Depression also faced discrimination in other areas of life. For example, they were often denied access to public facilities, such as libraries, swimming pools, and parks. They were also more likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes than white people, even for the same offenses.
The Great Depression was a difficult time for all Americans, but it was especially hard for Black people. The economic hardships, discrimination, and violence that they faced during this period left a lasting legacy of poverty and inequality in the Black community.