So the plight of the modern blacks is a result of thier acting like conservatives?
Stop and think about what 5 or 6 traits you would say define rednecks. Now think about how many of those traits are also exhibited by young urban blacks.
ah, no.
Not quite, Sowell is using the term "redneck" not as a person with independent conservative beliefs, but as a person who shuns education, shuns work most of the time, and when he talks he argues forcefully with a "preacher like" furvor to hide his basic non-understanding of much of what he is saying. (You know, the cars on blocks in a messy yard kind of redneck.)
In short, this is the culture of the white and black south and unless you leave this culture behind, you will be held back and be poor. (Note that race is not a factor, just the culture, subscribe to the culture, stay poor.)
BTW, Sowell does not say this is the only aspect of the Southern culture, only that this history explains what is happening today better than the white man holding the black man down or past slavery holding the black man down. Sowell is looking for things that are happening in people's lives today to expalin why they are poor today. A good approach in my opinion. And it avoids the hint of racism that creeps in when you try to talk about a group.