Are they though? Without getting into a long-drawn out discussion about education, the fact is that inner city schools don't compare to suburban white schools in any respect related to funding, facilities, staffing, etc.
As for job opportunities, it's already been established that if you have a minority name on your resume, you are less likely to be called back for an interview than if you have a white name.
hbswk.hbs.edu
Yes, they are... and why is that?
Because a white kid with mental health issues is going to get treatment.
A white kid who dabbles in drugs is going to get rehab.
A white kid who gets into trouble is going to get probation and community service, while the minority kid gets jail.
The fact is, for a long time, since Reagan, pretty much, the rich have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer. And then you wonder, sitting there with your full belly and your warm house, why they are acting out.
Given anything proposed by Republicans makes the problems worse, that wouldn't be a bad thing.
The problem with Red Waves, and this will be the third one I've had to live through, is that they really think they can solve problems without really solving them, but just appealling to people's worst instincts.
Now, here's the thing. Until 2008 or so, I was pretty right wing. Then I realized two essential truths.
1) That I don't make enough money to vote Republican, and neither do you if you aren't making mid-six figures.
2) That the way the GOP keeps people like you voting Republican is playing on your racial, religious and sexual fears.
I make pretty decent money with diversified income (steady job, lucrative side business, rental property). And I realize that I'm STILL probably one major recession or one serious illness away from being wiped out. I blame that on Republicans, not Democrats.