The Gangster’s Guide to Upward Mobility

Many Americans—particularly those at the bottom of the heap—believed passionately in the promise of the American dream.

They didn’t want to bury themselves in ritualism or retreatism.

But they couldn’t conform: the kinds of institutions that would reward hard work and promote advancement were closed to them.

So what did they do?

via The Gangster's Guide to Upward Mobility.