While unemployment among the general population is about 9.1%, it's at 16.2% for African Americans, and a bit higher still for African American males

The unemployment rate for African Americans has always been higher than the national average. However, now it's at Depression-era levels. The most recent figures show African American joblessness at 16.2%. For black males, it's at 17.5% and for black teens, it's nearly 41%. For young men of color, especially black males in New York City, things are really bad. In New York, 34% of young black men age 19 to 24 are not working.