I’m catching Hell, and so is Clay County, Ky

“Life is not just about the good things or not just about the bad things. It is both. It all depends where you focus your attention.” Ann Marie Aguilar’s quote applies to the Black American community. From President Obama to Donald Trump, Black people have seen the good times and are bracing for the bad times to come.

The high schooler graduation rate of Clay County is 63.7% vs. 83.8% for Black Americans.

Americans are constantly told by President Donald Trump that African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States are “living in hell” because inner cities are so dangerous¹. Are Black and Hispanic Americans the only Americans living a tragedy?

“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter on January 14, 2017. “All talk, talk, talk — no action or results. Sad!” This excerpt came from a New York Times article²on January 15, 2017.

The hardest County to live in America?

Poverty is found in many parts of the United States. Jay Harold will highlight some non-urban areas with a low Black American population that may meet Donald S. Trump’s definition of “living in hell.” Jay Harold previously has highlighted Jackson County, KY, McDowell County, WV, Owsley County, Ky, Brooks County, TX, and Hancock County, TN. Jay Harold will spotlight another county in the state of Kentucky. The county is home to part of the Daniel Boone National Forest, historic hamlets, and the land of the swinging bridges.The county is Clay County.

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Peter Hasson of the Daily Caller states that four of the five poorest counties³in America are in Kentucky. Generally speaking, the rural parts of Kentucky tend to be both white and very poor. In 2014, The New York Times named the ten hardest counties to live in America. The county Jay Harold will highlight was chosen as the hardest place to live in America⁴!

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation⁵ stated the following facts about Clay County:

In 2013, female life expectancy was in the worst 10% of all counties at 73.6 years, while male life expectancy was in the worst 10% of all counties at 68.6 years. This compares to the national average of 81.2 years for females and 76.5 years for males.
In 2011, the percentage of obese females was in the worst 10% of all counties at 47.9%, while the proportion of obese males was in the worst 10% of all counties at 43%. The national average in 2011 was 36.1% for females and 33.8% for males.
The prevalence of recommended physical activity in 2011 was in the worst 10% of all counties for females and in the worst 10% of all counties for males, with 34.9% of females and 35.8% of males getting recommended physical activity. To compare, the national average in 2011 was 52.6% for females and 56.3% for males.

Clay County⁶, Kentucky is located in southeastern Kentucky. This area is known for being the Gateway to the Elk & Redbud Capitals of Kentucky and the Land of Swinging Bridges!

The 2015 U.S. American Factfinder Census⁶states that 880 African-Americans lived among 20,766 people in Clay County. That’s 4.2% of the total population. The table below from the U.S. Census shows the demographics of the county

Clay County Demographics

Clay County has a 46.8% poverty rate.

Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)

20,766

Race and Hispanic Origin

White alone, percent, July 1, 2015

94.4%

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2015

4.2%

The median household income in Clay County was $21,549 according to the 2015 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census. Here’s some more data below is from the U.S. Census.

Persons in poverty, percent

46.8%

Educational Attainment: Percent high school graduate or higher

63.7%

Median Housing Value

$56,300

Jay Harold has discussed Black American’s economic status, “Black Household Incomes Below National Avera ge.” African Americans median household income for 2013 was $34,560 according to The U.S. Census 2013 American Factfinder. Black Americans had an 83.8% high school graduation rate vs. 63.7% for Clay County according to the same census survey.

Looking at the census data about Clay County, you would think that this is the “Ohio Player’s Far East Mississippi. Maybe a black county in Alabama. You would be wrong,

my friend! I wonder if President Trump was aware of this data that says the most difficult place to live in America is over 90% White?

Will Trump care help Clay County?

A recent New York Times Op-Ed⁷ post has serious doubt about the bill passed by the House Republicans. Here are some the questions raised in the post:

The bill will cut 880 billion dollars over ten years to Medicaid.
Slashes 300 billion dollars in insurance subsidies over ten years.
Guts protection for people with pre-existing conditions.
Eliminates the Individual Mandate.

The House Trump care Bill will cut 880 billion dollars over ten years to Medicaid.

This bill will change as it moves thru the Senate and is amended or replaced. The result seems to be fewer government resources for healthcare.

W. E. B. Du Bois said:

“To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.”

The data suggests that while Black Americans are struggling economically, there are places in the United States that are also in terrible shape. Jay Harold prays that we move forward and help Clay County and other areas in similar economic condition thrive again.

Enjoyed this post? Share it and read more here. Jay Harold has put together a Resource page that you may find useful when trying to improve your health and wealth.Please take this advice of Muhammad Ali and give back to others. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” ~ Muhammad Ali.