This presentation uncovers perspectives about work and work opportunity held by socio-economically disadvantaged African Americans residing in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a declining “single-industry” town. In exploring their worldviews, this presentation elucidates how their thinking results from being caught between a traditional industrialism that is in decline and a proliferating post-industrialism exemplified by the neighboring city of Ann Arbor. It concludes with an illustration of how race, class, and gender factor into their thinking.

Professor Alford Young Jr., Ph.D. is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Sociology, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy, attended Wesleyan University (BA) and the University of Chicago (MA and Ph.D.). His research generally focuses on low-income African American men. He is a former Chair of Michigan’s Sociology Department, and he serves as Associate Director of Michigan’s Center for Social Solutions and Faculty Director of Scholar Engagement and Leadership at Michigan’s National Center for Institutional Diversity. He has published The Minds of Marginalized Black Men and Are Black Men Doomed?

This is the last of a six-lecture series. The subject of the series is: Poverty, Inequity and Disparity. The next lecture series will start October 22, 2020. The subject of the series is: 1619-Present.The many Consequences of Slavery. The Cost of Historical Injustices.

Pre-registration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the lecture will be e-mailed to you approximately one week prior to the event.