Yes I think it the economic issue has eclipsed the race issue due to the strides we've made against racism in modern times (of which there is still much to do).

I find it very hard to talk about this issue concisely but I'll try. Other races were poor 50+ years ago just as they are today and I believe these poor people suffer many of the disadvantages many African Americans suffer because they are indeed the same.

Edit: that wasn't very concise it seems after rereading it. I failed to mention that I don't think any other race (in the US) has been as totally economically disenfranchised as African Americans were and that is why this is predominantly an issue that affects African Americans.