Philippe Bourgois' In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio is a well-written ethnographic research book that was designed to take an in-depth look at the life of a micro-corporation in the East Harlem neighborhood involved in the sale of crack cocaine. The author touched on various themes such as racism, drug abuse, poverty, class stratification, and substance abuse. More importantly, the author has unearthed the various reasons that contributed to the dramatic turn in the character's life, most of which are involved in the illegal sale of crack on the streets. In this book, the author argued that the actions of the characters in his book did not entirely contribute to their illegal acts, but rather to their surroundings. Bourgois thus showed the astonishing social, economic and cultural difficulties which led his characters to engage in the crack trade. This review will therefore address the main themes addressed by the author and examine in more detail how well he visualized the living conditions in East Harlem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Social marginalization was a key aspect emphasized by Bourgois. Social and economic negativity toward Puerto Rican immigrants was a key factor in transforming East Harlem residents into drug dealers. Bourgois held the demonized image of drug dealers, but was soon shocked to realize that an opposite perspective of these people was true. The author quickly realizes that for most drug dealers in upper Manhattan, it was hardly their natural conditions that caused them to become the illegal dealers they became. A meeting with one of the drug dealers soon proves his claim, that the dealer, the perpetrator, is seeing a potential businessman if nature allowed him to do so. Additionally, the author explores themes of economic constraints, racism, the characters' Latino culture, injustices and prejudice inflicted by the police on the characters' groups, and social challenges. By examining the characters' relationships, the book gives an explanation of the main factors that led to the massive drug trade in East Harlem. Bourgois's personal encounters with Primo, a character he had grown to respect, authenticate that his book was primarily based on facts about drug dealers in East Harlem. By examining the book's main characters, we evaluate the effects of these factors and determine the authenticity of the author's argument. The main characters include Primo (the arcade manager), Cesar (Primo's friend and employee), Ray (Primo's boss), and Candy (a young woman who falls in love with Primo). Basically, most of these characters belong to the lower social strata and are mostly involved in illegal trade. Efforts by Primo and others to exit the illegal trade are in vain, as working conditions are not favorable to them. Often, these characters face racism and poor working conditions in legal jobs. At one time, Primo seeks legal, standard work, but the pay is too low to support himself compared to selling crack. Most of the time, Primo ends up quitting or getting fired from his job. Bourgois maintains that “…it’s not about crack or drugs per se. Drug addiction in inner cities is just one symptom – and living symbol – of a deeper dynamic of marginalization.