47 pages 1 hour read

Anthony Abraham Jack

The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges are Failing Disadvantaged Students

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Privileged Poor, by Anthony Abraham Jack, examines the experiences of underprivileged students at an elite Northeastern university he calls Renowned. Through interviews and observations of students, Jack distinguishes between the Privileged Poor, who attended elite high schools, and the Doubly Disadvantaged, who did not. He highlights how these differences impact their ability to navigate college life, interact with faculty, and utilize resources. The book also addresses food insecurity and stigmatizing aspects of campus programs. Jack argues for better funding for public schools and urges colleges to better support all students. The text includes references to gang violence, poverty, and drug addiction.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Anthony Abraham Jack's The Privileged Poor offers a profound exploration of the challenges faced by lower-income students at elite colleges. Reviewers praise its insightful analysis and compelling narratives, though some critique its repetitive points and lack of broader policy solutions. Nevertheless, it's lauded for raising critical awareness about educational inequality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Privileged Poor?

Readers who would enjoy The Privileged Poor by Anthony Abraham Jack are those interested in social justice, educational inequality, and cultural studies. Similar to readers of Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel or Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, they seek to understand the dynamics of privilege and access within elite educational institutions.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Education

Topics

Business / Economics

Social Justice

Politics / Government

Themes

Society: Education

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Society: Class