A new study released today by the U.S Census Bureau confirms what many already thought; the recession hit poor and middle class families the most.

According to an article about the story published by the Associated Press and picked up by other news outlets, “the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans — those making more than $138,000 each year — earned 11.4 times the roughly $12,000 made by those living near or below the poverty line in 2008, according to newly released census figures. That ratio was an increase from 11.2 in 2007 and the previous high of 11.22 in 2003.”

The report also indicates the national median income has decreased around $2,000 for every family in the poor/middle class demographic, while “income at the top 5 percent of households — those making $180,000 or more — was 3.58 times the median income, the highest since 2006.”

 In an “open letter to President Barack Obama,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson asked that the new commander in chief use his position to elevate opportunities and ensure long-overdue justice for people of color and poor people of every race. “Now that we have made it through the courtship of the primary season, the engagement party in Grant Park on November 4th, and the wedding on January 20th, we’re entering into marriage – the final stage, one that is full of challenges. … It’s high noon in our politics, where hope abounds.” Read what else he said here.

Poor Whites “shock” South African official
Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa’s African National Congress, said he’s shocked and embarrassed about poverty among Whites in his country, reports the BBC. The comments (which come ahead of an election year) came after he visited the town of Bethlehem, where many poor Whites do not have running water or electricity. “I am shocked and surprised by what I have seen here,” Zuma said. “The vast number of Black poverty does not mean that we must ignore White poverty, which is increasingly becoming an embarrassment to talk about.” He added that he saw the same problems in White areas that he saw in Black squatter camps. “This is not about politics; it’s about people who are poor, who are in need and want to be helped by government,” he said. The charity South Africa’s Helping Hand, a group that assists the nation’s poor White communities, said the number of homeless White people since 2002 went up by 58 percent. The country’s mostly White trade union, Solidarity, was pleased with Zuma’s visit and comments. “For a long time Whites have been seen as rich and Blacks poor. Talking about White poverty has been seen as politically incorrect,” the group’s secretary general told the AFP. As Zuma is reaching out to the White community, the nation’s predominately White main opposition party is also trying to strengthen ties with the Black community before the election’s next year, analysts say.

Nigerian explosion kills 12
A patrol tanker burst open and caught on fire in Lagos, Nigeria, killing at least 12, reports the BBC. The accident happened when the tanker’s driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a curb causing the big fire. Another tanker and a bus also got caught in the flames of the fire. A hospital official told the BBC that there were “massive” casualties and that the driver of the bus did not listen when he was told to stop before his vehicle caught on fire. The series of tanker accidents in the highly populated city have prompted authorities to ban heavy vehicles from parking on the street.

Millions sought for AIDS treatment in Africa
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have launched a campaign to raise $21 million to fund an AIDS treatment program in five African countries, HealthDay.com reports. The money would be used for a three-year program in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Nigeria. The program would reach 950,000 vulnerable people, including 49,000 people living with AIDS, 13,000 sex workers and 10,000 orphans, Agence France-Presse reported. Nearly 4.5 million people, including about 400,000 children younger than 14, are living with HIV in the five countries. In 2006, AIDS claimed the lives of 350,000 people in these countries, which form the Sahel region of west and central Africa. “Even though the impact may vary from one country to another, HIV is a major obstacle to development as it affects all key sectors: the economy, health, education and even food security,” said Abdourahmane Ndiaye, the Red Cross’ HIV program officer for the region, AFP reported.