Curtis Mayfield made a song named “Diamond in the Back.” He stated that you should be thankful for what you got. Here is the soundtrack:

Alice Walker has a quote that describes how many Black people live in America:

‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

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 Americans the only Americans living a tragedy?

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 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 the Natural Arch, Historic Stearns/Stearns Trail Town, Barthell Coal Mining Camp, and a section of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. The county is McCreary County.

McCreary County² , Kentucky is located in southeastern Kentucky on the southern edge of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the northern end of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (NRRA). This area is known for its abundant scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and its history and heritage.

The majority of the county is owned by the federal government³ . 43% is owned and managed by the Daniel Boone National Forest, and 18% owned and managed by the National Park Service as the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

What’s up with Trump?

The 2015 U.S. American Factfinder Census⁴ states that 1126 African-Americans lived among 17,878 people in McCreary County. That’s 6.3% of the total population. The table below from the U.S. Census shows the demographics of the county.

McCreary County Demographics

Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)

17,878

Race and Hispanic Origin

White alone, percent, July 1, 2015, (V2015) (a)

91.2%

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2015, (V2015) (a)

6.3%

The median household income in McCreary County was $19,328 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

The high schooler graduation rate of McCreary County is 72.4% vs. 83.8% for Black Americans.

41.5%

Educational Attainment: Percent high school graduate or higher

72.4%

Foreign born persons, percent, 2011-2015

0.7% in McCreary County. United States average is 13.2%. 

Median Housing Value

$62,300

Jay Harold has discussed Black American’s economic status, “Black Household Incomes Below National Average.” 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. 72.4% for McCreary County according to the same census survey.

Looking at the census data about McCreary 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?

Is Donald Trump Trying to Play Black Americans?

Collier Meyerson⁵ wrote an opinion in “The Nation” that states President Trump has sought to hoodwink us. Meyerson says Donald Trump knows something about Black Americans. We will never stop seeking out first-class citizenship. But history has also taught us to be wary of the smoke and mirrors deployed by politicians like Trump. Baiting black people and trying to pit us against Mexicans won’t work when all of Trump’s other policies are ruinous to black communities. Trump touts a new deal for black America, but he forgets that while blacks benefited from the original New Deal—a set of economic recovery programs that lifted America out of the Great Depression—it was not intended for us. Trump is right about one thing: Black people do want a new deal. But not one that reinforces our place as second-class citizens with a pernicious mandate to trample on the backs of those without any citizenship at all.

Are Black Americans being lost and turned out by President Trump?

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 McCreary County and other areas in similar economic condition thrive again.

Enjoyed this post? Share it and read more here.  Questions?  “Ask the Pharmacist a Question!” Jay Harold is always looking out for 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

Bibliography

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-says-african-americans-and-hispanics-are-living-in-hell_us_57e9ddbee4b082aad9b694bf
2. http://www.mccrearycounty.com/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCreary_County,_Kentucky
4. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/HEA775215/21147
5. https://www.thenation.com/article/donald-trump-is-trying-to-play-black-americans/