(3 of 3)
In the Milners' study, only two pimps were white, but they dressed, talked and acted exactly like their black colleagues. In fact, says Christina, "the success of the white pimps hinges on their ability to mimic the blacks." For ghetto Negroes, the choice of pimping as a career has a certain logic. Sociologists have long noted that because black men have traditionally had trouble finding legitimate jobs, they are used to the idea of being supported by women. Besides, in the black community there is no loss of status in making money from sex. Quite the contrary. Pimping is a way of striking out at the white man by taking his money—and his women too. By "gaming off" Whitey, the black pimp becomes a folk hero, the Jesse James of the ghetto.