Frank, it’s not so much ‘manipulation’ than it is ‘integration.’ Americans are integrated into a system where ‘upward mobility’ only takes you so far. The last time there was true upward mobility was in the post-war period from 1946–1965. Think about this as well: In 1960, Detroit had 1.8 million residents and 85% home ownership. Today, it has 650,000 people and 30% own homes. Large swaths of the city are abandoned or sparsely populated. Same thing with St. Louis, 900,000 in ’60 and 360,000 today. It’s the same in other midwestern cities, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati. Also, the suburb’s and subdivisions. Subdivisions are just as unequal as anything else. The subdivision I lived in during my late-teens and early 20s were big lots with 3,000 sq. ft. houses. My step-father was moderately successful at running a business, yet he got screwed over a few times, once by an international conglomerate whom he had to sue. He won, but it was a four-year battle.

Subdivisions divide you by class and economic status as well. I was told there are a couple of African-American families living in my old sub, which would never of happened 50 years ago.