This article uses Census data from 1940 to 1990 to examine whether the hypotheses advanced for the absence of economic progress of black men relative to white men during the 1980s are consistent with the long-run trends. The findings indicate that skill-biased technological change explains more than changes in industrial composition both in the long run as well as in the 1980s. Moreover, increased competition from women and immigrants does not explain the recent slowed progress of black men; instead, the evidence suggests that middle-skilled white men may be an important source of increased competition.

Elaine Reardon is an economist at the Milken Institute for Job and Capital Formation in Santa Monica, California. She thanks Kevin M. Murphy for his generous support and helpful comments. Additional thanks go to Kermit Daniel, Derek Eaton, Rebecca Kilburn, Alec Levenson, Karen Lombard, Susan Mayer, Robert Michael, Stefanie Schmidt, Robert Schoeni, Shirley Svorny, Mary Beth Witte-kind, and three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. The data used in this article can be obtained beginning in June 1997 through May 2000 from the author, Milken Institute for Job and Capital Formation, 1250 Fourth Street, Suite 200. Santa Monica, CA 90401.

© 2002 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

US ISSN 0022-166X

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