Black youth in 'big cities'. We think we know who they are, what they do, what they think about. Yet, the reality is more complex than it appears. Here, for the first time, is an in-depth, honest attempt to explore and comprehend the world of Black youth in a large urban environment.

The city is Toronto, Canada but it could probably be any other major, urban centre. This investigation illustrates that Black youth are not frustrated seekers of White Anglo middle class values: neither are they unaware of society's expectations of them. Their way of life constitutes a distinct and meaningful subculture based upon their minority status. More important, like all youth, Black youth hold high career aspirations and are optimistic that they will achieve their goals despite social conditions.