A. They were often the first to have their hours or jobs cut.
Minorities were at a significant disadvantage during the Great Depression due to discrimination and institutional barriers that limited their access to education, employment, and social welfare programs. During the economic downturn, minority workers were often the first to lose their jobs or have their hours reduced, as they were typically the last hired and first fired. This was particularly true for African American and Hispanic workers, who were concentrated in low-wage, labor-intensive industries such as agriculture and domestic work, which were hit hard by the Depression. As a result, minority communities experienced higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and homelessness than the general population.