In this book, MIT economist Peter Temin offers an illuminating way to look at the vanishing middle class. Temin argues that American history and politics, particularly slavery and its aftermath, play an important part in the widening gap between rich and poor. Temin employs a well-known, simple model of a dual economy to examine the dynamics of the rich/poor divide in America, and outlines ways to work toward greater equality so that America will no longer have one economy for the rich and one for the poor.Many poorer Americans live in conditions resembling those of a developing country -- substandard education, dilapidated housing, and few stable employment opportunities. And although almost half of black Americans are poor, most poor people are not black. Conservative white politicians still appeal to the racism of poor white voters to get support for policies that harm low-income people as a whole, casting recipients of social programs as the Other -- black, Latino, not like us. Moreover, politicians use mass incarceration as a tool to keep black and Latino Americans from participating fully in society. Money goes to a vast entrenched prison system rather than to education. In the dual justice system, the rich pay fines and the poor go to jail.

    

    While other developed countries face similar challenges from globalization and technological change, none rivals America’s singularly poor record for equitably distributing the benefits and burdens of recent economic shifts. In Categorically Unequal, Douglas Massey weaves together history, political economy, and even neuropsychology to provide a comprehensive explanation of how America’s culture and political system perpetuates inequalities between different segments of the population.Categorically Unequal is striking both for its theoretical originality and for the breadth of topics it covers. Massey argues that social inequalities arise from the universal human tendency to place others into social categories. In America, ethnic minorities, women, and the poor have consistently been the targets of stereotyping, and as a result, they have been exploited and discriminated against throughout the nation’s history. African-Americans continue to face discrimination in markets for jobs, housing, and credit. Meanwhile, the militarization of the US-Mexican border has discouraged Mexican migrants from leaving the United States, creating a pool of exploitable workers who lack the legal rights of citizens. Massey also shows that women’s advances in the labor market have been concentrated among the affluent and well-educated, while low-skilled female workers have been relegated to occupations that offer few chances for earnings mobility. At the same time, as the wages of low-income men have fallen, more working-class women are remaining unmarried and raising children on their own. Even as minorities and women continue to face these obstacles, the progressive legacy of the New Deal has come under frontal assault. The government has passed anti-union legislation, made taxes more regressive, allowed the real value of the federal minimum wage to decline, and drastically cut social welfare spending. As a result, the income gap between the richest and poorest has dramatically widened since 1980. Massey attributes these anti-poor policies in part to the increasing segregation of neighborhoods by income, which has insulated the affluent from the social consequences of poverty, and to the disenfranchisement of the poor, as the population of immigrants, prisoners, and ex-felons swells.America’s unrivaled disparities are not simply the inevitable result of globalization and technological change. As Massey shows, privileged groups have systematically exploited and excluded many of their fellow Americans. By delving into the root causes of inequality in America, Categorically Unequal provides a compelling argument for the creation of a more equitable society. A Volume in the Russell Sage Foundation's Centennial Series

    In this reappraisal of America's dilemma of racial and economic inequality, Thomas Sugrue asks why Detroit and other industrial cities have become the sites of persistent racialized poverty.

    Being spoiled by her parents, her brother Blake, and her late boyfriend only blinded her to the things she's really supposed to know in life. After dealing with the depression of a miscarriage and losing her man to a terrible car accident, she decides that she no longer wants to live off of her love ones. So, she tries to better herself by getting a job and starting over. Seemingly, things are supposed to get better. However, that's when her nightmares really begins.While hanging out with her coworkers, Amille and Taylor, she meets Chance. Chance is loveable, sweet, and a caring man, but he's also about his money. Being with his girlfriend Ronda has taught him that you can love someone, be with them and not be happy. Meeting Starr only makes things worse in his current relationship.With owning two successful businesses, he needs someone to bring the best out of him to keep him level headed. That person seems to be Starr. However, who said that Ronda would let him leave and have his happily ever after with someone else?In this series you'll meet a lot of scandalous, secretive characters. There is drama on each page, and the action is never ending.

    Being a part of a dysfunctional family has left him with deep emotional scars and when it comes to women he loves them and leaves them...until he meets Serenity. Serenity is nursing a broken heart when she meets Intellect and her gut tells her not to get involved but her heart tells her otherwise. From the beginning they have a love hate relationship and have mastered the art of making up to break up. Will Intellect finally let down his guard and be the man that Serenity deserves or will she give up on him and move on with her life?

    With her dangerous outbursts and inability to let go of Kaine, she puts a new spin on the phrase "baby mama from hell!" Once she finds out that Karma is now expecting a child with Kaine, she turns up the heat on the beef that she has with Karma and wreaks havoc! Her level of rage is at an all time high, and she's now digging her cat claws deeper into Karma's flesh. In the midst of the drama, Kaine desperately tries to hold on to the undying love that he has for Karma while trying to keep Tameka under control, which seems almost impossible. After many intricate blocks and obstacles in Kaine and Karma's relationship, things start to get better, but their happiness comes to a screeching halt when the events cause abrupt changes in their lives. Secrets and lies pour out, and when an unexpected event bumrushes Karma like a speeding freight train, it hits Kaine where it hurts, sending him into a frenzy. The new beginning that Kaine and Karma planned together becomes a life and death situation, and with the odds stacked against him, Kaine has to make an unfortunate decision that will finally end all of the drama. In this last installment to Kaine and Karma's love story, there will be more scandal and infamy that will leave you gasping for air!

    An endless bankroll, access to the latest designer clothes, and the envy of every chick on the block are all part of her fantasies when she meets Ward, an up and coming dope boy. When Ward stakes a claim to the beautiful Normani, she accepts without hesitation, a decision she makes without considering the consequences that comes with dating a dope boy. The lifestyle Ward provides is as lavish as Normani expects, but she soon pays the price for being a thug’s solace when she’s the victim of a botched murder-suicide. Unable to return home, Normani is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Brooklyn. It is there that Normani lays eyes on a shiny red Lamborghini with no idea that its owner was going to change her life for better and worse. Uriah “Urban” Mackenzie has always been held in a high esteem throughout the streets, and not because of his charismatic charm, deep chocolate eyes, and politician’s smile. Urban is the head of “The Trust,” a prestigious crime organization known for running guns, human trafficking, and funneling millions of dollars in cocaine throughout the East Coast. Urban leads The Trust with an iron fist, refusing to allow anyone to one up him lest they deal with his wrath. He has New York City in the palm of his hand, with everyone bending to his will, except a bold and brazen Normani. Love has never been on Urban’s radar—even with a longtime girlfriend on his arm—but Normani’s beautiful eyes and damaged smile pulls him in. Soon Urban finds that he's willing to risk the life and legacy he’s built to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side.

    DEM BOYZ is a crew who is ran by DeMoni, his younger brother Kashawn and their best friend KeyMarley. Loyalty is tested and friends quickly become frienemies. The people you put all your trust and faith into will betray you the worst. Who can be trusted? Secrets are revealed that will either make or break the crew! Will DEM BOYZ be able to protect the sheltered women they love most? If so, at what cost? Enter the lives of 18yr olds Golden and Nickayla. These best friends have it all! Brains, beauty, money, Power and respect. Golden has a bright future ahead of her, but hits a slight bump in the road. She has 2 very overprotective big brothers that love her more than life. She has a boyfriend who in her eyes can do no wrong! Everything that glitters surely is not gold! When the wool is snatched from her eyes will she be able to handle the truth? Nickayla has been holding on to secrets of her own. The heart loves who it loves no matter the circumstances. What happens when webs of lies and deceit slowly unravel? Once everything is out in the open, who will be left standing to pick up the pieces? You can truly expect the unexpected.

    From the sandbox to the trap house, you name it, the three of them had more than likely done it. Now, they were all embarking on a new era in their lives, starting with the move to Detroit Michigan. Their transition from thug life to the legit world came with its bumps and bruises, but through it all, the three friends were always there for one another. Micah had his issues with the love of his life, Lauren, who was also like his best friend. After he relocated to Detroit, Lauren hit Micah with the news of a baby coming aboard their rocky friendship. Then there was Marcus, who couldn’t prove to his in-laws that he was good enough for his woman, Harley. She was a spoiled rich kid who fell in love with a hustler. However, her parents had other plans for her life that didn’t involve Marcus. Kingston or King had his longtime girlfriend, Megan, whom he’d strung along for his own convenience until his last break truly broke what he and Megan had built since middle school. Not only were Micah, Marcus, and Kingston close friends, so were the women in their lives, including Micah’s sister, Melanie, who had male issues herself. Take a ride with this group of friends as they go through the trials and tribulations in their lives while looking for the one who is just right for them.

    No mother to guide her, and a father who was always away. She has to deal with the curve balls that life has thrown her, and at times she doesn't think she's strong enough. All she has is her twin brother, Knox, by her side. When things in Kimora's life take a turn for the worse, she doesn't know which way to turn. Kimora's new found confidence comes from an unlikely source, and with her new confidence, she takes life full on. Knox Eldredge, Kimora's twin brother and protector, is a man who means what he says and says what he means. He has a no-nonsense type of attitude. He'll do anything to protect those he loves, even putting his life on the line for them. After an incident gone wrong, Knox has to man up and take full responsibility for his actions, but in the process, hurting the ones who love him the most. Then, you'll meet Prince. A complete ladies man, he has the gift of gab, and the swag of a superstar, but that may be his downfall in life. Loving the ladies isn't always a good thing. A broken heart can turn someone bitter, and Prince will find that out the hard way. Spirit Meyers, she has had a thing for Knox since she was a young girl, but she made a wrong decision that she deeply regretted. She doesn't know if Knox would ever forgive her, but she wants him to. Coming to terms with your actions is sometimes hard to do, and the past has a way of catching up to you. Prince and Knox are the definition of hood royalty. Kimora and Spirit know it feels good to be kissed, but when you're kissed by a hood prince, your life changes in so many ways. Take a ride with the foursome as they experience the changes that life throws at them while finding Love in the process.

    

    With a new hit single out, featuring a sexy rapper by the name of Yung Gunner, she’s certainly making waves of her own. She’s in a good place, and just wants to live drama free while enjoying her life. However, with Brooke using she and Chase’s unborn baby as a ticket back in his life, things can get real ugly at any given time. Chase is feeling good about the decision he’s made. Being with Rayne makes him happy and it keeps him focused. Now all he wants to do is be the hottest producer around, while taking Rayne’s career to the top. And with the signing of Yung Gunner to his record label the only way from here should be up. But dark secrets began to surface that threatens to end his relationship with Rayne and bring his entire empire down. Brooke is quickly learning that she can’t play with fire without getting burned. Skeletons in her closet start falling out all over the place leaving Brooke feeling vulnerable. With her ex-lover, Q popping up in Atlanta things quickly spiral out of control as she attempts to run from her past. There is only one problem with that. Q is not letting her out of his eyesight until he gets what she owes him and some. Will Chase and Rayne hold it together? Or, will Brooke find a way back into his life? Find out what happens when two women are both in a race for one man’s heart in, It’s Either Me Or Her 2.

    An unexpected shooting in the club sets off an unfortunate chain of events, leaving you to wonder who will be eliminated and what couples will live to see a happy ending in this epic finale. KoKo is finally ready to give Mekhi her heart but to do that, she has to cut ties with her baby's father for good. Too bad Homicide won't let her go without a fight. Tired of being a victim of sexual and physical abuse, she decides to woman up and fight back so she can be with the man her heart desires. But does she love Mekhi enough to die for him? That's the million-dollar question. Mekhi is no longer willing to play KoKo's game of “Hard To Get.” He's ready to lock the red-headed beauty down and is prepared to pay whatever it costs to be with her. Even if that means he has to come out of retirement and revisit the streets. Is he war ready? Or will he end up losing the woman of his dreams for good in the battle of love vs the streets? In the blink of an eye, both Mesha's lovers, Nas and Dutch, figure out her dirty little secret. She's been sleeping with them both so there's no telling who the father of her unborn baby is. When the DNA results come back, she'll have to say goodbye to one of her side niggas forever. Will that be her play brother or her new love interest? Dutch reigns all the way from New York with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. His legendary street king of a father taught him all he knows so he brings his talents to the south. Once the CokeBoyz is taken down by the FEDS, he decides to step up and take over. But along with all the money and hood fame that comes from his new position as The Plug, he soon realizes that new snakes are born too.

    The art of dealing the best quality drugs to the neediest crack head took patience, precision and street smarts qualities Kason “Kaotic” Lafleur had down pack. Inheriting the family business from his uncle, Kaotic becomes a self-made millionaire by producing the purest coke and skillfully smuggling them into the US without lifting a finger. With a take charge attitude and boss mentality, Kaotic, the leader of the Dade County Goonz (DCG), only concern is money. To him, if it didn’t make money it didn’t made sense. Not even the slew of women he has encountered during the many rendezvous has the ability to shift his attention. Getting him to care and love was practically unachievable and non-existent until he met her… ​ ​Serenity has it all; beauty, brains and a bank account with more zeros than she knew what to do with. From the outside looking in, Serenity has it together. Her life is goals to many except no one knows the demons she faces. The fear of love forces her to use men for sex before tossing them aside. Her wild behavior mirrors the pain she’s truly going through, the pain no one can understand, pain that is uncontrollable until she met him… ​Love can be so beautiful yet painful in the same sense. Kaotic struggles with the adjustment his heart forces him to make as he allows a broken woman into his life, one who is so harmless, but can potentially cause him and his organization so much damage. Serenity struggles to keep secrets hidden, secrets that could potentially cost her- her life.