Has MLK's "dream" been realized?

During the last twenty years, many minorities, as well as African Americans, have gained better employment. In 1980, roughly 11% of African Americans were in the labor force. In 2004, about 17% were employed in the labor force. The percentage of black males and females in the labor force is very close (1980: males= 5.6%, female= 5.3%). By 2012, it is estimated that 20% of African Americans will be in the labor force.

Dispite the percentage increase in African American employment over the years, the numbers are still hovering low above the ground. In 2004, ut of every 1,000 people employed, including women, Black, Asian, and Hispanic people, only 10.7% of African Americans had jobs. The unemployment rate over the last twenty years has shown that African Americans have had the highest unemployment rate. 40% of African Americans ages 16-19 were unemployed in 1985.

MLK said that everyone should be equal and have equal oppurtunity. However, by looking at the numbers of employed and unemployed African Americans over the last twenty years, it is clear that African Americans are not getting the equal oppurtunity that is deserved. In order to make MLK's "dream" come true, the percentage of African Americans in the labor force should be getting higher as the years progress. It is only fair that every African American has the sam chance for a job as a person of any other race.