In the book, Off the Books, by Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh, the author provides a comprehensive look into the lives of the urban poor in the United States. In his book, Venkatesh examines the way in which the urban poor employ a variety of strategies to make ends meet in the face of limited resources and lack of access to mainstream banking and financial services. By exploring the social networks and informal economic activities of the urban poor, Venkatesh provides an in-depth look into this community
The Industrial Revolution in England brought about a major change to women’s roles in society. New job opportunities for women arose as the need for low-cost workers increased, and women could seek employment outside of their homes. There was a drastic change to the societal expectations of women before, during and at the end of the Industrial Revolution, with women being introduced to the workforce and eventually gaining more freedom as individuals. Before the Industrial Revolution, women were
does it feel when a person is black and poor in addition?”Most of the studies done in this book were done in safe, sanitized ivory towers. This piece of writing portrays neoliberal capitalism on the lives of working class people among the blacks (Venkatesh, 2009). The community views government leaders such as social service workers, Chicago Housing Authority, government agencies and the police differently. Most of these government officials are perceived negatively. The police for instance are viewed
Underground Economy of the Urban Poor, Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh, explains that in the early-nineties while doing field work in the Southside of Chicago he gravitated to a predominantly working-poor black community near his field site (ix). Venkatesh describes the ten-squared block community as being in disrepair very much like the high-rises that were being torn down in the surrounding area (iv). In the presence of some “greystones” and “brownstones” Venkatesh noticed vacant lots, beat-up homes, and
The book that I was assigned to read and provide a review on this semester is American Project by Sudhir Alladi. American Project aims to shine a light on the reality of living in the housing projects in Chicago. Robert Taylor Holmes was built in Chicago in 1962, with a purpose of giving families a temporary place to live. It was located in the so-called ghetto and is described as being isolated from other neighborhoods. The author strives to show the reader the importance of relationships within