### Federal Jobs Historically Built the Black Middle Class—Now Trump’s Cuts Threaten That Legacy
For decades, federal employment has been a cornerstone of economic stability and upward mobility for Black Americans, helping shape a thriving Black middle class. Shirley Hopkins, an 81-year-old retiree, exemplifies this legacy. As a former NIH human resources officer, she actively recruited Black students into federal internships, offering pathways to stable careers. Many Black workers, like Calvin Stevens, a 78-year-old Air Force veteran, built successful careers in government, achieving financial security and opportunities for advancement. However, the Trump administration’s aggressive job cuts, hiring freezes, and dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are destabilizing this critical pipeline. Black workers, who make up 18.5% of the federal workforce—disproportionately higher than their 14.8% share of the U.S. population—are now facing unprecedented job insecurity.
### The Historical Role of Federal Jobs in Black Economic Mobility
The federal government became a key employer for Black Americans post-World War II, offering stable, well-paying jobs amid widespread private-sector discrimination. Historian Frederick Gooding Jr. notes that federal employment provided equitable opportunities, allowing Black workers to advance based on merit rather than race. For many, like Kevin Abernathy, a U.S. Postal Service worker, federal jobs meant financial stability and the ability to support families. However, recent cuts threaten this progress. Experts warn that shrinking federal employment could weaken the Black middle class, particularly in majority-Black counties like Prince George’s and Charles County in Maryland, where government jobs have long sustained economic prosperity.
### The Ripple Effects of Federal Job Cuts on Black Communities
The Trump administration’s reductions in federal employment are already having far-reaching consequences. Abernathy’s son, facing uncertainty, recently left a government job for the private sector—a trend that may become more common. Economists like Marcus Casey warn that limiting federal job opportunities could also hinder Black workers’ ability to transition into private-sector roles, where they already face systemic barriers. Additionally, the erosion of DEI programs raises concerns about workplace discrimination and stalled career progression. For many Black federal employees, the cuts feel like a direct attack on their economic stability, with one anonymous HHS worker describing the upheaval as having her “whole world knocked off its axis.” As the administration continues downsizing, the long-term impact on Black economic mobility remains uncertain—but the consequences could reshape communities for generations.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/27/nx-s1-5349442/black-federal-employees-trump-cuts.