(CNN)Crysta Johnson costs gas, food and housing while preparing for childbirth. Thinking about the rise makes me uneasy. She became a daughter she was due to give birth in August.
"I'm just worried about quality of life," said Johnson, 33. ..
Like many black families, Johnson and her husband are on the cusp of inflation-price has risen to the highest rate the United States has seen in over 40 years. .. Researchers say black families will be the worst affected by rising inflation as they lag behind white families in terms of income, wealth, financial savings and home ownership.
Due to inequality, many African Americans do not have the funds to help offset the rise in consumer prices, putting great pressure on monthly income, economists say. Some economists fear that black families may be forced to go without essentials, as another threat of recession is imminent if lawmakers do not act immediately to combat inflation. increase.
"It will be very devastating," said William Darity Jr., a professor of public policy, African-American studies and economics at Duke University. .. "People have to make very difficult decisions about whether to buy medicine, buy food, or abandon utility bills. It has a harsh impact on people's well-being.
Due to national wealth disparities, black families can maintain economic savings and transfer wealth across generations to allow many white families. He said it was getting difficult. He said racist policies such as the redlining of the land promised to them and the deprivation of former slaves have historically put black Americans behind.
"The problem is that Congressional Republicans are doing everything they can to stop my plan to lower the cost of ordinary families. That's the end of my plan. That's why it's not, and the result isn't over, "Biden said. Early this month.
Disproportionate impact on black families
Some studies suggest that black households are more susceptible to changes in inflation than white households. I am.
Munsobu Lee, an economist at the University of California, San Diego, who co-authored this study, said that many African Americans also live in food deserts and pay high prices for food at convenience stores. Said that. Inflation only raises the price of those convenience store products, Lee said. It also forces black shoppers to have to travel their father for groceries. This means that they are affected by higher gas prices.
"If the price paid by white households rises by 7% in a year, we expect it to rise by 7.5% in black households," the study states as an example.
Atlanta's mother, Johnson, said inflation would be equal to a wage cut if Americans didn't raise their salary at work.
"I think about money, I think about finances. I think our salary will start to match (inflation rate)," Johnson said.
'It costs more for the poor'
Some nonprofits have seen families serve food to the table as inflation continues. We are intervening to help.
Omirami said she was also overwhelmed by her demands from those who needed to help pay rent. She said many families are suffering from inflation because someone in the family lost their job during the pandemic or was an elderly bond. Other families say food stamps aren't enough to cover the soaring food prices, Omirami said.
A suburban Atlanta mom said she had to make significant adjustments to where she bought groceries and what her family ate.
Crystal Smith, a four-person single mother, says she spends more time comparing prices in different stores to see how she can save money. I did. For the last week she decided to cook chicken in sea boil for her family. Because it was a more affordable meal.
"This is one of the things I'm wondering about how I can save money," Smith said. "We are in a really difficult time and we have to start making difficult decisions, especially in the African-American community."
