Final answer:
William Julius Wilson suggests that economic factors are now the most significant in the lives of African Americans, influenced by a complex history of discrimination, lack of opportunities, and urban segregation patterns that continue to affect their socioeconomic status.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Julius Wilson argues that economic factors have become the most significant in the lives of African Americans in today's US society. The poverty rate for African Americans remains a serious problem, being three times greater than that for whites. This is due, in part, to a lack of well-paying jobs, the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow era policies, and persistent racism.
Social, political, economic, and cultural factors have led to disparities between white, middle class Americans and those living in the 'other America.' Discriminatory laws and practices historically impeded Black Americans from gaining education and employment opportunities. The departure of the Black middle class following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 further impoverished Black neighborhoods, exacerbating high rates of crime and reduced community cohesion.
Finally, despite formal segregation being outlawed, the African American community still faces challenges stemming from historical inequalities that hinder the pursuit of higher education and economic advancement. African American migration to Northern cities and subsequent 'white flight' contributed to urban decay and increased unemployment rates among African Americans.