Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture - Softcover
What does it mean to be young, poor, and black in our consumer culture? Are black children "brand-crazed consumer addicts" willing to kill each other over a pair of the latest Nike Air Jordans or Barbie backpack? In this first in-depth account of the consumer lives of poor and working-class black children, Elizabeth Chin enters the world of children living in hardship in order to understand the ways they learn to manage living poor in a wealthy society.
To move beyond the stereotypical images of black children obsessed with status symbols, Chin spent two years interviewing poor children in New Haven, Connecticut, about where and how they spend their money. An alternate image of the children emerges, one that puts practicality ahead of status in their purchasing decisions. On a twenty-dollar shopping spree with Chin, one boy has to choose between a walkie-talkie set and an X-Men figure. In one of the most painful moments of her research, Chin watches as Davy struggles with his decision. He finally takes the walkie-talkie set, a toy that might be shared with his younger brother.
Through personal anecdotes and compelling stories ranging from topics such as Christmas and birthday gifts, shopping malls, Toys-R-Us, neighborhood convenience shops, school lunches, ethnically correct toys, and school supplies, Chin critically examines consumption as a medium through which social inequalities -- most notably of race, class, and gender -- are formed, experienced, imposed, and resisted. Along the way she acknowledges the profound constraints under which the poor and working class must struggle in their daily lives.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
fm.author_biographical_note2
Review:
Has both vitality and immediacy.Chin's vignettes from life with the kids are touching, funny, troubling, strange, and familiar. -- Ruminator Review
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherUniv Of Minnesota Press
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0816635110
- ISBN 13 9780816635115
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages280
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 15.73
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0816635110
Buy New
US$ 15.73
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 0816635110-2-1
Buy New
US$ 24.49
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0816635110-new
Buy New
US$ 24.50
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power Format: Paperback
Published by
University of Chicago press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 0816635110
Buy New
US$ 20.52
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0816635110
Buy New
US$ 21.64
Convert currency
Seller Image
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 210079-n
Buy New
US$ 30.98
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
University of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Paperback / softback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Seller Inventory # B9780816635115
Buy New
US$ 32.12
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ of Minnesota Pr
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 1st edition. 280 pages. 8.75x6.00x0.50 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0816635110
Buy New
US$ 31.65
Convert currency
Stock Image
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
University of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Num Pages: 280 pages, Illustrations. BIC Classification: KJ. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 228 x 150 x 14. Weight in Grams: 400. . 2001. 1st Edition. Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780816635115
Buy New
US$ 35.30
Convert currency
Seller Image
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Published by
Univ Of Minnesota Press
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0816635110
ISBN 13: 9780816635115
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 210079-n
Buy New
US$ 32.11
Convert currency