ePub The Colors of Poverty: Why Racial and Ethnic Disparities Persist (National Poverty Center Series on Poverty and Public Policy) by From Brand: Russell Sage Foundation Publications in History

Review

10 of 33 people found the following review helpful. Sociology's Weakness ExhibitedBy JPJThe essays in this collection have a problem that infects much of sociology: an underlying; unproven assumption that people's problems are caused by society; rather than the more likely explanation; merely influenced by society. Statistical correlations; after all; do not prove causation. Therefore; while the statistics about the gaps between the achievements of African-Americans and other Americans cited in this book are probably valid; the analysis by the authors and editors; often; but not always; seems flawed by this basic; untested assumption. For example; class; in this volume; "determines" academic outcomes rather than "influences" them; often greatly. Furthermore; any negative view of any African American is deemed a "stereotype" (perhaps the most over-used word in this book) with the implication that any expressed negative view of any African American is incorrect and biased; despite occasional acknowledgement by the articles' authors that people with negative views (for example; some teachers or even other African Americans) can be very well informed about the individuals being described - hence; probably not using a "stereotype." So a volume like this is of limited value. To the extent that it provides statistics about society; it is useful; to the extent that the authors analyze their findings from a point of view that doesn't strike the reader as genuinely unbiased and scientific; the analyses are suspect - and unconvincing.Finally; let me add that identifying causes of people's problems remains a huge problem for everyone; not just sociologists: Is it nature or nurture? This hasn't been resolved; and no one should assume that it has.