A closer look at the data and statistics reveals some of the reasons why the Black unemployment rate is always the highest. And they're far from the common perceptions that are often rooted in racism.

WASHINGTON — The job market is getting healthier, adding to evidence that the economy is improving as 2011 nears an end. SEE ALSO: The 9-to-5 Workday About To Be Gone?

From LATimes.com: President Obama signed an extension of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed Thursday night that will allow those whose aid expired to apply retroactively.