57 pages • 1 hour read
Jay MacleodA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Ain’t No Makin’ It by Jay MacLeod examines the lives of two groups—Hallway Hangers and Brothers—in the Clarendon Heights public housing project, exploring how race, class, and education shape their aspirations and chances for upward mobility. There are discussions of poverty, racial discrimination, substance use, and systemic inequality.
Jay MacLeod's Ain't No Makin' It is praised for its in-depth ethnographic study and its illumination of class and socio-economic mobility barriers. Critics value its insightful examination of how social structures impact aspirations. Some note that it may feel overly analytical or dense. Overall, it’s seen as a significant contribution to understanding inequality.
Readers passionate about sociology, education, and social inequality will find Jay MacLeod’s Ain't No Makin' It compelling. Similar to Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities and Paul Willis' Learning to Labor, it delves into the impact of class and race on aspirations and opportunities, offering rich ethnographic insights.
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Identity: Race
Society: Class
Race / Racism
Education
Anthropology
Education
Anthropology