Historical Factors That Influenced Black American Poverty in Caddo and Bossier Parish Louisiana: The Case to Pursue a Rise in Middle-Class and Higher Status: A Commentary

The purpose of this commentary is to investigate the relationship between systemic poverty and the Black population in Caddo and Bossier Parishes, Louisiana, and to propose policy recommendations to enhance the study areas’ appeal and vibrancy to attract and create middle-class and higher Black communities, in the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area. Shreveport, LA, is the largest city in Caddo Parish, and Bossier City, LA, is the largest city in Bossier Parish. Due to urbanization, these cities hold most of their parish’s population. Shreveport began experiencing economic decline in the 1980s due to oil industry job losses, the gradual downsizing of General Electric, the closure of General Motors, and other company closures and downsizings, along with a failing K-12 educational system. As a result, Black and White graduates did not return to the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area, leading to population decline. The loss of middle-class manufacturing jobs with no replacements has left Shreveport with 65% of its population living below the poverty line. The study employs a qualitative research method, complemented by quantitative method data, to enhance the understanding of poverty. The results of this commentary will show how the history of systemic racism has blended with socioeconomic factors, resulting in structural inequality perpetuating high poverty among the Black population.