Living black

"Living black breaks the stereotype of poor African American neighborhoods as dysfunctional ghettos of helpless and hopeless people. Despite real and enduring poverty, the community described here -- the historic North End of Champaign, Illinois -- has a vibrant social life and strong ties among generations. But it operates on its own nonjudgmental terms -- teen moms aren't derided, school dropouts aren't ridiculed, and parolees and ex-cons aren't scorned. Mark Fleisher offers a window into daily life in this neighborhood, particularly through the stories of Mo and Memphis Washington, who fight to sustain a stable home for their children, and of Burpee, a local man who has returned to the North End to rebuild his life after years of crime and punishment in Chicago." -- Publisher's description