Hard Truths

If you’re white or rich, it’s easy to believe that racism is something that ended years ago. But the hard truth is: That’s not supported by facts. Our society, institutions and culture are still filled with barriers that shut out people because of the color of their skin, the origins of where they were born and other factors they can’t control. Axios Hard Truths is a year-long project to go deeper and explain how race and inequality holds us back.
TOPICS
VotingEducationHousingPolitics and influenceSportsHealth careCriminal justiceBusiness ownership and leadershipScienceHigher educationEnvironment
Technology
Media

Environment

Environment
Most of us take the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink for granted. But for people of color, the environment is often the cause of chronic, sometimes fatal health issues.
Race and the Environment in America

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Hard Truths: Environmental Justice and the US Government

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A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
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Learn more.
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Higher Education

Higher Education
A college degree in America translates to better jobs and more wealth. But students of color still face barriers, including high tuition, when pursuing higher education.
Race and Higher Education in America

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Hard Truths: Higher Education

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Hard Truths: What it takes to get tenure

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A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Science

Science
“Trust the science” are this year’s buzzwords. But from astronomy to zoology, systemic racism keeps people of all backgrounds from practicing science or benefitting from its findings.
The Hard Truth of Science

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Hard Truth: The fight on Mauna Kea

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A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Business Ownership and Leadership

Business Ownership and Leadership
Business ownership and corporate diversity initiatives are seen as paths toward closing the racial wealth gap. But for people of color, systemic barriers along both routes still hobble success.
Business Ownership and Leadership

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A conversation on Economic Recovery among Business Owners of Color

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The Hard Truth of the Marijuana Industry

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A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice
“Equal justice” is carved into the U.S. Supreme Court. But from higher arrest rates to stiffer prison sentences, people of color face harsher treatment in the criminal justice system.
Race and criminal justice in America

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A conversation on Criminal Justice Reform

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The Hard Truth of finding a job after prison

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Health care

Health care
We’ve made strides in getting more Americans the health care they need. But our system delivers far better results for white patients than for people of color.
Race and Health Care in America

Read the Deep Dive

A conversation on systemic racism in health care

Watch the event

The Hard Truth of Latinos’ access to health insurance

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Sports

Sports
We think of sports as the great equalizer. But from youth sports to the professional world, glaring inequities, often along racial lines, mirror our society.
The Hard Truth of Sports

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A conversation on systemic racism in sports

Watch the event

Hard Truths: The Iroquois' fight for the Olympics

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Politics and influence

Politics and influence
America is more racially and ethnically diverse. But structural barriers keep people of color from gaining the political power that reflects their numbers.
Politics and influence in America

Read the Deep Dive

A conversation on the Hard Truth of Political Power and Influence

Watch the event

The Hard Truth of Power in Congress

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Housing

Housing
Homeownership is key to personal wealth. But segregation promoted by government, banks and the real estate industry persists today in access to homeownership.
Race and Housing in America

Read the Deep Dive

A conversation on America's housing inequities

Watch the event

The Hard Truth of housing

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Education

Education
Education is viewed as America’s great equalizer. But our segregated past supports barriers to quality education today.
Education in America

Read the Deep Dive

A conversation on America's education inequities

Watch the event

The Hard Truth about school police

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

Voting

Voting
Americans believe that all citizens have equal access to our fundamental democratic right: voting. But the fact is racial politics still suppress votes.
Race and voting in America

Read the Deep Dive

A conversation on America's voting barriers

Watch the event

The hard truth of voter suppression

Listen to the podcast

A message from YOUTUBE

First-ever Small Biz Day will help small businesses grow on YouTube

72% of U.S. small businesses say that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, according to an Ipsos study.

YouTube’s Small Biz Day on June 24 will help SMBs by sharing helpful tips on how businesses can use YouTube to grow.
‍
Learn more.
Learn more

PODCAST PLAYLIST

Next up

We’ll be exploring the topic of technology for our next Hard Truths Deep Dive. To keep informed,
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