The book is political and nothing close to an  impartial study of these problems.   Look at the authors credentials  (lack of) if you doubt it.  

My conflict comes from the fact that Republicans have offered nothing to the black community of significance.   The absurd claim that the poor have anything close to equal opportunity is just a self-righteous excuse that keeps them from seeing their clear advantages.  Combine the oppressive nature of poverty, with the clear negative stereotyping of black people and you have a witch's brew that kills opportunity. 

There is a long list of failed policies, (mostly Democratic initiatives) that have not addressed the root causes of poverty.    In some cases policy has institutionalized poverty.  Many of these policies were made with good intentions but poor design and little accountability to the goal of lessoning poverty.

These are serious issues that should be addressed.  

The bigotry of political ideology cripples rational policy making.