ABSTRACT
A major impression of foreigners, especially those who have never been to the United States, is that the country is economically divided between a comfortably off white population and a distinctly less well-placed black one. The image makes allowances for certain African American athletes and entertainers being super-rich and concedes that there are disadvantaged whites. In 1997, non-Hispanic Caucasians accounted for close to half of all the people living below the poverty line. Many African American professionals feel that they are constantly on display as representatives of their race and so have to work doubly hard to avoid confirming stereotypes of laziness or incompetence. Ever widening differences in income and status between the African American middle class and underclass raise questions about black solidarity. These apply mainly to the feelings of the former group, as the latter has too few connections outside inner cities to feel much common cause with poor whites.
