Robert Staples

Robert Staples, a sociology professor at the University of California in San Francisco, has published widely in the areas of race and family relations. In the following viewpoint, Staples argues that widespread discrimination is to blame for persistent poverty among African Americans. Although Staples recognizes the success of the black middle class, he takes issue with those who believe that black achievement is a sign of a fair and “color-blind” society. In Staples’s opinion, racial discrimination limits opportunity for all blacks and ensures that many remain in poverty.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does Staples define the “color-blind theory” of race relations in the United States"
2. According to the author, how do the incomes of black households compare with the incomes of white households"
3. What are the implications of...