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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

Iowa Law Review, "State Civil Rights Statute: Some Proposals" Page 1068

1068   IOWA LAW REVIEW   [Vol. 49

a noticeable gap of major proportions still exists. The precise extent of that gap and the injury our nonwhite minority suffers because of it is difficult to measure. A substantial quantity of specific evidence demonstrates that there is still widespread discrimination against Negroes in this country.4 Also available is a large mass of more general data which shows the immense and unusual deprivations suffered by nonwhites when compared to their white counterparts. This general statistical information should properly be analyzed in light of the more specific evidence of "second-class treatment" accorded American Negroes. Such an analysis makes it apparent that a denial of equal opportunity is a substantial contributing factor to their severely depressed status.
  Consider employment. Even where there are occupational and educational similarities, sharp differences persist between the earnings of whites and nonwhites. For example, the annual median income of whites is grossly in excess of that of nonwhites with the same educational achievements:5

[[Table is transcribed left to right, top to bottom]]

1959

1962

Years of School Completed

Median Income of Males

Median Income of Families in Relation to the Formal Education of the Head of the Household

White

Nonwhite

White

Nonwhite

Elementary

8 yrs.

$3981

$2900

$4378

$2539

High School
4 yrs.

$5529

$3735

$6186

$3863

College
4 yrs. or more

$7779

$4840

$8288

$6444

   Nonwhites as a class earn less than whites with the same number of years of schooling for several reasons.6 In the first place, they are often employed in lower-paying jobs than their white counterparts. Note, for example, that in 1950--later figures are not available--22.3 per cent of nonwhite college graduates in this country were working in "laboring" or "service" jobs compared to only 1.4 per cent of whites.7 The second reason why nonwhites earn less than equivalently
________________________
4 See generally UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT (1959, 1961, 1963).
5 Data on median income of males in 1959 is derived from U.S. Census of Population 1960, Detailed Characteristics, United States Summary, Final Report PC(1)-ID, table 223, at 1-590. Data on median income of families in relation to the formal education of the head of the household is derived from Business Week, Aug. 17, 1963, p. 57.
6 Hearing on S. 773, S. 1210, S. 1211, & S. 1937 Before the Subcommittee on Employment and Manpower of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, 88th Cong., 1st Sess. 325 (1963) [hereinafter cited as Employment Hearings].
7 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, VOTING 10 (1961). "Service" includes such occupations as barbers, firemen, policemen.

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1068 IOWA LAW REVIEW [Vol. 49 a noticeable gap of major proportions still exists. The precise extent of that gap and the injury our nonwhite minority suffers because of it is difficult to measure. A substantial quantity of specific evidence demonstrates that there is still widespread discrimination against Negroes in this country.4 Also available is a large mass of more general data which shows the immense and unusual deprivations suffered by nonwhites when compared to their white counterparts. This general statistical information should properly be analyzed in light of the more specific evidence of "second-class treatment" accorded American Negroes. Such an analysis makes it apparent that a denial of equal opportunity is a substantial contributing factor to their severely depressed status. Consider employment. Even where there are occupational and educational similarities, sharp differences persist between the earnings of whites and nonwhites. For example, the annual median income of whites is grossly in excess of that of nonwhites with the same educational achievements:5 [[Table is transcribed left to right, top to bottom]] 1959 1962 Years of School Completed Median Income of Males Median Income of Families in Relation to the Formal Education of the Head of the Household White Nonwhite White Nonwhite Elementary 8 yrs. $3981 $2900 $4378 $2539 High School 4 yrs. $5529 $3735 $6186 $3863 College 4 yrs. or more $7779 $4840 $8288 $6444 Nonwhites as a class earn less than whites with the same number of years of schooling for several reasons.6 In the first place, they are often employed in lower-paying jobs than their white counterparts. Note, for example, that in 1950--later figures are not available--22.3 per cent of nonwhite college graduates in this country were working in "laboring" or "service" jobs compared to only 1.4 per cent of whites.7 The second reason why nonwhites earn less than equivalently ________________________ 4 See generally UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT (1959, 1961, 1963). 5 Data on median income of males in 1959 is derived from U.S. Census of Population 1960, Detailed Characteristics, United States Summary, Final Report PC(1)-ID, table 223, at 1-590. Data on median income of families in relation to the formal education of the head of the household is derived from Business Week, Aug. 17, 1963, p. 57. 6 Hearing on S. 773, S. 1210, S. 1211, & S. 1937 Before the Subcommittee on Employment and Manpower of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, 88th Cong., 1st Sess. 325 (1963) [hereinafter cited as Employment Hearings]. 7 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT, VOTING 10 (1961). "Service" includes such occupations as barbers, firemen, policemen.