Final answer:
The white-black wealth gap is influenced by an earnings gap linked to disparities in education and discrimination in job and housing opportunities. This gap has fluctuated but remains significant, with indications of its perpetuation through discriminatory hiring practices and educational disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes the white-black wealth gap indicates that, while the earnings gap between Black and White workers narrowed in the 1970s, it has since widened to levels similar to those nearly 70 years ago. Factors contributing to this gap include systemic differences in education attainment levels and discrimination in job opportunities and the housing market. Significant educational disparities remain, as evidenced by lower percentages of Black individuals completing a four-year college degree compared to White individuals.
Although the earnings gap between Black and White college graduates starts out relatively small, it tends to increase over time, pointing to potential ongoing discriminatory practices. Research has shown that applications with White-sounding names receive more callbacks than those with Black-sounding names, illustrating discrimination in hiring processes. In addition, discriminatory practices in the housing market are also believed to influence employment discrimination, further exacerbating the wealth gap.
To mitigate the earnings gap, improving educational systems and fostering a culture supportive of educational attainment among Black and Hispanic families and peer groups are critical steps. Studies indicate that if Black women are provided the same level of education and experience as White women, they receive comparable pay, emphasizing the importance of equal educational opportunities.