Still Invisible?. Elvin J. Dowling

- 14.25%

       Construction - 4.00%

       Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing or Hunting - 0.50%

       Healthcare and Social Assistance - 7.00%

       Student - 1.00%

       Information (Other) - 0.25%

       Government and Public Administration - 2.25%

       Wholesale - 1.25%

       Education

       Highest Academic Level Completed

       High School - 30.25%

       Middle School - 1.50%

       Elementary School - 0.08%

       Post Graduate - 12.28%

       Vocational Technical College - 7.77%

       University - 48.12%

       Income

       Annual Income of Respondents

       High I (Between $100,000 - $124,999) - 4.75%

       High II (Between $125,000 - $149,999) - 5.75%

       High III ($150,000 and More) - 3.50%

       Prefer Not to Say - 5.75%

       Lower Level II (Between $25,000 - $49,999) - 30.75%

       Middle I (Between $50,000 - $74,999) - 16.00%

       Middle II (Between $75,000 - $99,999) - 8.75%

       Lower Level I (Under $25,000) - 24.75%

       Employment Status

       Source of Respondent's Income

       Student - 6.25%

       Self-Employed - 11.25%

       Unemployed Not Looking - 1.75%

       Homemaker - 7.75%

       Employed for Wages - 48.50%

       Retired - 8.00%

       Unable to Work - 5.75%

       Unemployed but Looking - 8.50%

       Other - 1.75%

       Military - 0.50%

       Marital Status

       Relationship Status of Respondents

       Separated - 1.50%

       Prefer Not to Say - 1.25%

       Single - 38.25%

       Living with Partner - 10.25%

       Divorced - 6.25%

       Married - 41.00%

       Widowed - 1.50%

       Parental Status

       Respondent's Number of Children

       Two - 16.00%

       Six or More - 1.50%

       Four - 4.50%

       Zero - 48.75%

       Three - 9.25%

       Prefer Not to Say - 0.25%

       Five - 1.75%

       One - 18.00%

      *All survey results displayed above are represented by the overall percentage of survey respondents. To review raw survey results, visit: http://bit.ly/stillinvisiblesurvey.

      Special Thanks & Final Thoughts

      And finally, a note of appreciation to my trusted research partners, Kendall Finlay, Tyler Brown and Joseph Garrett, who helped to keep the vision of this project alive until it was finished. Without your contributions this work would not have been completed.

      Over the course of an extended period of time, recorded interviews were conducted and then transcribed with each chapter's leading subjects. Our goal, in telling each of their stories, was to accurately reflect their expressions in a way that did not detract from the substance of their sentiments. When necessary, however, some of the subject's words or phrases may have been changed, but only to provide clarity, brevity or context. Further, from a stylistic perspective, I have chosen to capitalize the word "Black" when referencing the African-American experience or identity. While it may not necessarily be grammatically correct (depending upon when and how it is being used), I do so because Black people in America are often marginalized and overlooked in society. In the pages of this book, however, they are very much seen, heard and appreciated, thus the capitalization. Additionally, please note that any conclusions made in this book, to the extent that there are any, are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the subjects of this work or those who may have offered endorsements of this work.

      Finally, this book was created as a tool to be used to further promote understanding, while simultaneously debunking false narratives, misperceptions, and racist tropes, with verifiable facts and workable solutions aimed at helping the United States of America to achieve a "more perfect union". Please feel free to share with me, and others, your thoughts and ideas, by tweeting, texting, posting and chatting about your take on the issues discussed herein. I would love to hear your opinion and please know that I am grateful that you "thought it not robbery" to read this work and add to what I pray will be a substantive conversation about how, together, we can help make America better, using the hashtag: #StillInvisible.

      In the spirit of high idealism, I remain,

      Sincerely yours,

      Elvin J. Dowling

      

       (Elvin J. Dowling: Author, Activist & Architect of Change)

      Preface

      Or again, you often doubt if you really exist. You wonder whether you aren't simply a phantom in other people's minds. Say, a figure in a nightmare which the sleeper tries with all his strength to destroy. It's when you feel like