According to our text, the "underclass" is defined as "people typically unemployed who come from families with a history of unemployment for generations, they make up about 12% of the United States population and mental and/or physical disability is common" (Shepard 219). According to Webster's Tenth College Edition, the "underclass" is defined as "the lowest social stratum usually composed made up of disadvantaged minority groups" (Miriam-Webster 1285). The racial inequalities in this country are obvious but when discussing a social class, the disparities become astounding.
In our textbook, both the negative and positive social situation of minorities, specifically African Americans, is not considered a prejudicial issue but an economic one. On one hand, there are successful African Americans who are able to afford and participate in the same things and activities as successful whites. Although extremely inaccurate, according to some authors in our text, the fact that you are a person of color does not have as much significance as the fact that you have a good or bad education (Shepard 257). I was raised in the suburbs and was able to go to some of the best schools around and get some of the best opportunities. Yet I am still looked upon with a wary eye because of my color.
There are three main factors contributing to the ongoing underclass. Due to the fact that many jobs formerly occupied by inner-city inhabitants have been given to cheaper, foreign labor, many African Americans find themselves in a continuing cycle of unemployment and odd jobs; thus, creating a true underclass. Also, many corporations, seeing the downfall of inner cities, move their businesses to the suburbs, which are mostly composed of middle class whites. The third is that many mobile African Americans are moving to the suburbs and taking their businesses and buying power with them. .
In relation to crime, economic and social standing are huge issues.