Recommendations for Addressing Young People, Race, Class, and Unemployment Crisis
Reflect on your readings from last week and also listen to this story on NPR on the "Lost Generation of Workers". Be sure to listen to the story from the vantage point of race and class.
You now have enough information from last week and this week to compose your briefing paper to the United States Secretary of Labor, Martin J. Walsh.
Now that you have read the data on youth employment I want you to write a briefing paper to the Secretary this week. This briefing paper is to prepare him to address the challenges of young people, race, class, and unemployment. As Secretary of Labor this is part of his job, and you get to help shape his thinking!
So how will you do it?
You want to think about last week's and this week's readings/videos. What is the most important point (or points) that you think the Secretary of Labor should know? And what do you want him to know about it? And what do you think he should do about it (based on the evidence in the readings)?
State your main points, using evidence to support them, and then provide the Secretary with ways to address the challenges. Be specific throughout your paper and be direct.
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
Date
[Date]
TO: United States Secretary of Labor, Martin J. Walsh.
FROM:
SUBJECT: Recommendations for addressing young people, race, class, and unemployment crisis.
Background
* Historically, young workers have had high underemployment and unemployment. These rates have risen even higher during the pandemic, with young Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI), black, and Hispanic employees impacted the most. Times are even more challenging for young personnel without college degrees.
* During the pandemic, most industries were likely to lay off young employees for various reasons unique to the companies. Additionally, most young workers worked in hard-hit sectors like hospitality, retail, leisure, and wholesale. These companies lacked alternatives for working at home (Gould & Kassa, 2020). Notably, young laborers do not have retirement plans, are covered with health insurance, or are likely