Black/White Income Gap

I don't want to dismiss the racism suffered by Irish people; I'm aware of the "No Irish, No dogs, No coloureds" signs for jobs and lodgings.

Having said that, I am unaware of any Irish people (in the US) being lynched because they are Irish, or of any Irish having crosses burnt on their lawns, etc.

What the hell is social pshchology?

{Offensive devil's advocate}
Try saying it's because blacks have a low self-esteem because they're only ever portayed as gangsters or sportsmen in movies.
{/Offensive devil's advocate}

Seriously, taking a nutty position and trying to argue for it, and getting data to support that argument, will show the weakness and allow you to use differenct searches for data. You'll understand more about the subject, and you'll might find that you form an opinion completely unrelated to the nutty position that you agree with and can defend.

In this day and age racism plays a much smaller role in the income gap. The head start argument is true and has been studied for some years now by sociologists. The correct term for it is "playing field." Its the luck of the draw lifestyle you are born into. If you are born into a poverty stricken blue collar family Chances are that you will be socialized or "trained" to live that lifestyle through adulthood. There are very specific differences in how blue collar and white collar families think and see things and this is so prevalent throughout society that once you are identified as one or the other, people treat you as such. The income gap between blacks and whites is more a matter of the higher percentage of black people working blue collar jobs and living blue collar lifestyles .My guess is that you would find the same thing with latinos too.

"Black can never get wealthy. They may become rich, but never wealthy. Shaquille is rich, the white man who signs his check is WEALTHY"
Chris Rock