hello-from-the-underclass

Unemployment Stories, Vol. 19: 'This Shit Is Real and Humbling'

Hamilton Nolan · 12/10/12 04:25PM

The official unemployment rate fell to 7.7% last month. But that number is misleading. The percentage of workers who are actually considered to be "participating" in the labor force is now hovering around a three-decade low. Persistent, extended, unrelenting unemployment is now a fact of life for millions of Americans. Every week, we bring you true stories of unemployment, from the unemployed themselves. This is what's happening out there.

Unemployment Stories, Vol. 16: Happy Endings, in Honor of Thanksgiving

Hamilton Nolan · 11/19/12 02:45PM

America is in the midst of a prolonged unemployment crisis. For the past 15 weeks, we've been bringing you true stories of unemployment, directly from the unemployed. Despair, desperation, and depression have been common themes. So today—in honor of Thanksgiving—we're bringing you some stories with happy endings. Here now, a special Thanksgiving edition of Unemployment: It Gets Better.

Unemployment Stories, Vol. 14: 'Like a Death Sentence'

Hamilton Nolan · 11/05/12 10:51AM

New research published in The Lancet today estimates that "rising unemployment may account for around a quarter of the excess suicides [above expected levels] observed in the US since 2007"—nearly 400 extra deaths per year. Our unemployment crisis is far from over. Each week, we're bringing you true stories from the unemployed. Teachers, cops, freelancers, you, me, us: this is what's happening out there.

Unemployment Stories, Vol. 13: 'I Don't Know How People Can Do It'

Hamilton Nolan · 10/22/12 03:00PM

As of last month, 1.8 million Americans have been unemployed so long that their benefits have run out. "Those who've given up looking slip out of the labor force, into what is sometimes called "nonemployment,'" Businessweek says. "Researchers know remarkably little about them." Each week, we're bringing you the true stories of the unemployed, in their own words. This is what's happening out there.

Unemployment Stories, Vol. Seven: 'When I look to My Future, I See a Wall'

Hamilton Nolan · 08/31/12 01:00PM

As both political parties are reminding us right now, America is in an unemployment crisis. The latest sunny news: a new report says that even if you land a new job, it's likely to pay low wages.) Each week, we're bringing you true stories from the unemployed. "Just to be clear, the day before you graduate, you are the future of America. The day after, you're on your own." This is what's happening out there.

Unemployment Stories, Vol. Five: 'I Go to Bed Every Night Hoping I Won't Wake Up'

Hamilton Nolan · 08/13/12 11:45AM

Every week, we're bringing you true stories from those caught in the unemployment crisis. The official U.S. unemployment rate is 8.3 percent; the true rate of hopelessness is much higher. This week: cops, businessmen, lawyers, students, academics, and other fellow Americans. This is what's happening out there.