Hustling and Other Hard Work: Life Styles in the Ghetto.

Bettylou Valentine's work makes an important contribution to the literature of urban anthropology for several reasons: (1) Its findings support a different understanding of the lives of poor ghettoized AfroAmericans than, for the most part, has hitherto been the case; (2) her use of the full immersion method of field work in studying a poor urban community corrects what has been for many, in fact, part-time research; (3) her relationship with those she studied stands as a paradigm for suggesting ways for meaningful collaboration between community residents and the anthropologist. Elaboration of each point follows. Valentine documents with persuasion the external forces, both individual and institutional, that oppressed individuals and communities must contend with in their daily rounds. major finding of her study states, The problems of employment, education, health care, housing, welfareof making the system workare structural and institutional issues whose solutions are beyond the individual. Their resolution must involve massive changes in society (p. 132). This conclusion results from the description and analysis of three extended families and the unfolding of their personal stories of survival through hustling (A wide variety of unconventional, sometimes extralegal or illegal activities. . p. 23),