Final answer:
According to Wilson, poverty is different for poor urban blacks than it is for poor urban whites due to economic, social, and other factors. These factors include the lack of well-paying jobs in urban areas, the legacies of slavery and racism, and the decline of community ties in black neighborhoods. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In his seminal work, sociologist William Julius Wilson highlights how economic transformations, particularly deindustrialization, led to the disappearance of stable manufacturing jobs that were once accessible to urban populations. This loss disproportionately affected black communities, exacerbating poverty due to higher concentrations of joblessness and limited opportunities. Simultaneously, racial segregation, perpetuated by housing policies and discriminatory practices, confined African Americans to impoverished neighborhoods lacking resources and investment. This segregation amplified the effects of economic decline, creating a cycle of disadvantage by isolating these communities from mainstream opportunities.
Moreover, Wilson emphasizes the erosion of social networks and community institutions, further isolating poor urban black individuals from support structures necessary to escape poverty. Combined, these economic, social, and systemic factors contribute to the distinct and intensified experience of poverty for poor urban blacks compared to poor urban whites.
Correct answer: Option A