The unemployed make up a sizable portion of the American population. As one lingers in unemployment due to poor job opportunities and the economic recession, we face discrimination against employers due to our unemployment status.
Employers can and do use one's unemployment status and duration of unemployment to justify discrimination in hiring practices - this can be used as an excuse to discriminate against demographics protected under the EEOC.
The federal government provides preference to those who are discriminated against - the disabled, veterans, and racial minorities. Citizens facing extended unemployment should be given the same preference.
The longer you're unemployed, the less likely you are to find a job, and so your unemployment continues. Please help break this cycle.