Divergent Paths

A New Perspective On Earnings Differences Between Black And White Men Since 1940

March on Washington
The second half of the 20th century began with progressivist hopes for racial equality – or at least a march towards it. But did legislative gains translate to economic advancement?
Bayer & Charles (2018) revise current understanding on the Black-White earnings gaps in the US. By looking beyond simple differences in average incomes, their analysis paints a richer picture of income inequality.

Let's explore two different ways to visualize differences in Black and White men's earnings.

The Earnings Level Gap

The Earnings Rank Gap

Bayer, P., & Charles, K. K. (2018). Divergent paths: A new perspective on earnings differences between black and white men since 1940. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 133(3), 1459–1501.
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