Chapter 11: Solidarity with the Poor Summary and Analysis

Growing up, Bell and her family rightly placed the blame of black poverty on slavery. No one discussed predatory labor and how capitalism needed excess labor in order to achieve success. Many naively thought that if discrimination were eliminated, there would be jobs for all. The realization that this was a myth began to emerge after civil rights laws were passed in the sixties. The reality was that nothing much changed. Those who were under-skilled and under-educated still were without decent jobs.

The under-employed blacks began to enter the welfare rolls with more frequency. When being on welfare became more acceptable, it followed that it was not as shameful to have children out of wedlock. Many blacks were portrayed as living off others. The negative stereotype took root and caused even more self-doubt...