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For decades, many African Americans grew accustomed to a middle class lifestyle in their homes across the country.

Lives that were built through hard work; climbing up the corporate ladder from entry level positions to the corner offices. But with foreclosures and the continuing recession, many African-Americans find themselves in dire straits.

Close to 15.5 percent of African Americans are out of work and still looking for a job. While the general unemployment rate continues to drop (8 percent) for a variety of reasons — ranging from levels of education and continuing discrimination to the relatively young age of black workers — black unemployment tends to run twice the rate for whites.

Examples of cities where Black unemployment has risen dramatically:

2006 = Birmingham, Alabama = 5.3 %

2011 = Birmingham, Alabama = 14.5%

2006 = Miami, Florida = 6.7%

2011 = Miami, Florida = 17.2%

2006 = Los Angeles, California =  8.6%

2011 = Los Angeles, California = 19.3%

2006 = Detroit, Michigan = 12.00%

2011 = Detroit, Michigan = 25.7 %

2006 = Las Vegas, Nevada = 13%

2011 = Las Vegas, Nevada = 25%

2006 = Charlotte, North Carolina = 8%

2011 = Charlotte, North Carolina = 19%

Read more at HuffPo

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