Purchase photos  Examining more racial trade-offs in the U.S.
Last week's column discussed the political trade-offs made by
black politicians and civil rights organizations that condemn
whole generations of black youngsters to failing schools.
Similar political trade-offs in labor markets condemn many
blacks, particularly black youths, to high rates of unemployment
and reduced economic opportunities. Let's look at this, starting
with a few historical facts.   It would be sheer lunacy to
attempt to explain these more favorable employment statistics by
suggesting that during earlier periods, blacks faced less racial
discrimination. What best explains the loss of teenage
employment opportunities are increases in minimum wage laws.
There's little dispute within the economics profession that
higher minimum wages discriminate against the employment of the
least skilled worker. Such a demographic is disproportionately
represented by black teenagers.  Despite these devastating
effects, the entire Congressional Blac