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the long version

Why has the large income gap between blacks and whites persisted for decades after the passage of civil rights legislation? More specifically, why do African Americans remain substantially underrepresented in the highest-paying professions, such as science, engineering, information technology, and finance? In this study of racial disparity, Beasley examines why some talented black undergraduates pursue lower-paying, lower-status careers despite being amply qualified for more prosperous ones. In-depth interviews were conducted with black and white juniors at two of the nation's elite universities, one public and one private. Beasley identifies a set of complex factors behind these students' career aspirations, including the anticipation of discrimination in particular fields; the racial composition of classes, student groups, and teaching staff; student values; and the availability of opportunities to network. She also discovers campus policies designed to enhance the academic and career potential of black students often reduce the diversity of their choices. From publisher description.