Young people respond to latest unemployment figures

Following on from David Lammy’s comments on latest unemployment figures revealing that 55 per cent of British black males aged 16-24 are unemployed, (double the figure in 2008), Richard Godwin’s article in the Evening Standard on Tuesday explores some reasons why this may be the case; the associated stereotypes, labelling and common problems felt by young black males in Hackney.

Godwin interviews a number of young people at the Dalston Job Centre asking why youth unemployment is so high in the black community. A common response is that there is simply a lack of jobs for young black people in the area, but there is clearly frustration for other reasons too- “it’s just a fact that there are certain jobs that are never going to be available for black people, ’cos of the stereotype thing”.   The sense of weariness, apathy and hopelessness, rather than anger, shown by the respondents at the lack of opportunities available to them is both frightening and distressing.

Also disappointing is the lack of willingness shown by employers to consider applicants with criminal records “I would take any job, I don’t really care, I’ll take any job — but once you get a criminal record, even a minor criminal record, it’s hard to get any jobs.” How can these men be expected to turn their lives around if we won’t give them a second chance?

Even those without criminal records find it hard to get employers to consider them as one interviewee points out; black youths are often stereotyped as being involved in crime and gang violence. This is an image created by a minority of people in isolated, yet high profile, incidents, such as the summer riots of 2011. “People that’s in gangs and that is just making it bad for everyone else who ain’t. They’re making the stereotype.”

Is this what the future holds for the young people of ReachOut! and east London? Not much to look forward to if it is, but we can do something about it.  There are two things that all young people need to get into employment – the right skills and the right attitude.  Most of us learn these things at school and from parents and older siblings, however many young people find it difficult to get on in formal education and sadly do not have enough positive role models in their lives to outweigh the negative, often resulting in a life of crime and disillusionment.  ReachOut! aims to provide these young people with the opportunity to develop their academic skills and attitude through the support of a mentor at the ReachOut! Academy. If you have a couple of hours spare a week, perhaps you could join the hundred or so ReachOut! mentors helping to make the outlook more positive for these young people. 

By Jacob Mohun

Links
Become a mentor - http://www.reachoutuk.org/HTML/Mentor/become_mentor.html
Young, shafted and black - full article - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/young-shafted-and-black-7585450.html
ReachOut! Academy- http://www.reachoutuk.org/HTML/Projects/LONDONROACADEMY.html