Johnson: What’s a ‘Black job?’ Here are 99 we proudly hold and conquer
This is an opinion column.
Some folks are still wondering what the Republican presidential candidate (heretofore called RPC) was talking about when during the debacle of a debate, he said, “Black jobs.”
I know.
Yes, the debate was an unequivocal embarrassment—for the compulsive liar (RPC), and the far-from-commanding Commander in Chief (FFCCIC). For us all. The world is still laughing.
I do, though, have a bit of clarity on RPC’s “Black jobs”—uttered at one juncture in response to, well, never mind, since RPC rarely actually responded to a question.
FFCCIC was asked to comment on Black voters who are somewhat tepid about him. Moments later, RPC ducked a question and pivoted to two of his favorite lanes: painting undocumented migrants as the scourge of our nation and demeaning Black people (when he thinks he’s complimenting us). Here’s what he said:
“The fact is that [Biden’s] big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that he’s allowed to come in through the border. They’re taking Black jobs now. And it could be 18, it could be 19, and even 20 million people. They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs. And you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”
I’ll ignore that Black unemployment during the current administration has hit historic lows. And here’s an unvarnished look at how Blacks and Hispanics have fared economically under the two most recent administrations. Hint: There’s no “big kill.”
Moreover, one of the few things worse than a racist is a racist who doesn’t know or believe they’re racist. RPC’s “Black jobs” remark is full-on racist. He’s called migrants “animals,” said they’re “poisoning the blood of our country,” and blamed them for violent crime. Now he says they’re “taking Black jobs,” a shameful effort to pit people of color against each other.
It won’t work.
Now, what the heck is a “Black job?” asked almost everybody.
Here’s your guide to 99 “Black jobs”—in no particular order. All of them “Black jobs” we hold proudly. “Black jobs” we’re killing, to put a positive twist on RPC’s words.
“Black jobs” no one is trying to “take” from us. No one:
1. Journalist
2. CEO
3. President of the United States
4. U.S. Senator
5. Botanist
8. Governor
10. Literary agent
11. Engineer
12. Scientist
13. DJ
14. Floral designer
15. Painter
16. Architect
17. Fashion designer
18. Musician
20. Sculptor
21. Funeral director
22. Songwriter
23. Chef
24. Realtor
25. Minister
26. Film Director
27. Mayor
28. Trucker
29. Business owner/Entrepreneur
31. Sports agent
34. Dancer
35. Flight attendant
36. Museum curator
37. Nurse
38. Non-profit founder
39. Actor
40. Author
41. Costume designer
42. Composer
43. HVAC Technician
44. Hairstylist
45. Comedian
47. Set designer
48. Cartographer
49. Police officer
51. Athlete
52. Neurologist
53. Photographer
55. Dentist
56. Contractor
57. Pilot
58. Pediatrician
60. Fashion model
61. Barber
63. Attorney
64. Architect
65. Tech founder
66. Surgeon
69. Cartoonist
70. Travel curator
71. Marketer
72. Mover
74. Mathematician
75. Astronaut
76. Animator
77. Poet
78. Screenwriter
79. School principal
80. Ophthalmologist
82. Magazine editor
83. Cardiologist
84. Executive coach
85. Farmer
86. Opera singer
87. Jazz artist
88. Humanitarian
93. Auto mechanic
95. Teacher
96. Rancher
97. Country music artist
98. Historian
99. Veterinarian
Former President Barack Obama speaks in support of Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., during a rally on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Atlanta. Warnock is running against Republican Herschel Walker in a runoff election.AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
This isn’t all “Black jobs,” of course. I had to stop somewhere. Consider it a resource: Teachers and parents, share it among your Black students and children who may not have yet been exposed to the plethora of “Black jobs” awaiting them.
Tell them a “Black job” is any career path they choose to pursue and conquer. No one can take that from them.
No one.
Roy S. Johnson is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. His column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at [email protected], and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj.