The Price of Paradise: The Costs of Inequality and a Vision for a More Equitable America

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

THE PRICE OF PARADISE This page intentionally left blank a NEW YORK UNIVERSIT Y PRESS New York and London David Dante Troutt THE COSTS OF INEQUALITY AND A VISION FOR A MORE EQUITABLE AMERICA THE PRICE OF PARADISE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London www.nyupress.org© 2013 by David Dante Troutt All rights reserved References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Troutt, David Dante. The price of paradise : the costs of inequality and a vision for a more equitable America / David Dante Troutt. pages cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8147-6055-0 (cl : alk. paper) 1. Equality—United States. 2. Racism—United States. 3. Social stratification—United States. 4. Social mobility—United States. 5. Income distribution—United States. I. Title. HN90.S6T76 2013 305.50973—dc23 2013028295 New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. We strive to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books. Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Also available as an ebook For my children, Naima and Jasmine In memory of my mother, Dr. Bobbye Vary Troutt, no clearer voice was ever missed This page intentionally left blank ...