ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores a new contribution to the literature concentrating on the social and economic consequences of the Great Recession of 2007–2009 among African American families. It explores how the Great Recession triggered a number of changes in African American families, transforming the social, economic, and cultural lives of Blacks in the United States. The book explores theoretical perspectives that explain how the social costs of the recession are manifested in the daily lives of these families, including changes in household economics, wealth accumulation, poverty, foreclosures, unemployment, and mass incarceration. It provides updated information and frameworks for understanding how the Great Recession of 2007–2009 impacted African American families. The book discusses some key factors resulting from the Great Recession and their impact on household economics among African American families.
