The problem with the Guardian (which is self-avowedly left of center :-) ) article is that it cites a source (Lincoln Quillian) who offers a conclusion and then goes about proving it - instead of researching the data and THEN offering a conclusion.

For a more non-biased look, try https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000014/
"The observed patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that blacks are the first fired when the economy weakens but are not supportive of the argument that blacks are the last hired during periods of growth."

And then look at the reasons...among the highest?  Not prejudice, but a downtrend in manufacturing jobs.  "Differences in the educational attainment and occupations of blacks and whites tend to make the gaps larger than they would be if these factors were equal across races."

Not, to quote you, simply "because they are black."