Elizabeth Cohen quoted in Economist piece on race, class, wasted time

May 6, 2021

The Economist

Political Science Department

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

Civil Rights

Income

Race & Ethnicity

United States

The Economist

An analysis of Bureau of Labour Statistics surveys found that Americans who make less than $20,000 a year spend around 46 minutes a day waiting for basic services like child care, health care and groceries, almost 12 minutes more than those earning over $150,000 a year. And the difference across racial groups is striking. The calculations suggest wealthy white Americans get what they want quickly. But among black Americans, those earning at least $150,000 actually spend more time cooling their heels than those earning $20,000 or less. Whether it’s about being asked to produce more paperwork for a mortgage or waiting while someone white is bumped to the front of the queue, says Elizabeth Cohen, professor of political science and author of "The Political Value of Time," "waiting is part of the experience of racism in the U.S.” Cohen was quoted in The Economist article, "Black Americans spend more of the day being kept waiting."