
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 6, 1990                   TAG: 9006060214
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

MINORITIES IN POVERTY INCREASING

The size of the black middle class has nearly tripled over the past 30 years, but living standards and opportunities for minorities still need much improvement, a group of corporate and academic leaders said Tuesday.

A report released by the Business-Higher Education Forum said that while more than one-third of American blacks and Hispanics are considered middle class, about 30 percent of minorities live in poverty, and that percentage is growing.

Forum leaders called for comprehensive efforts to improve living conditions and opportunities for minorities. "I think we have to work at a variety of ways to do this and if it finally comes down to higher taxes . . . , I think we've got to deal with that issue," said Steven Mason, a co-chairman of the task force.

The report, "Three Realities: Minority Life in the United States," said racism, poor educational attainment, restricted business opportunities and "the stranglehold of the inner city" limit minorities' hopes for improving their economic lots.

The report called for restructuring public-assistance programs such as public housing, food stamps and job training and changing student financial-aid programs.

The changes, said the group of more than 90 heads of Fortune 500 corporations and colleges and universities, should bolster the growing minority middle class and improve living standards and opportunities for unskilled poor people.

by CNB