Progress in civil rights for black Americans does not appear to have been matched, at least in recent years, by equal progress in social harmony. It is argued that a considerable part of present racial difficulties are the result of commonly expressed understandings that are deeply flawed and that these flaws can be corrected only if social scientists are more forthright in their reporting of social science research. The growth of the black underclass represents the greatest impediment to black progress and racial harmony today. The extent to which the growth of the underclass is related to civil rights policies is explored, recognizing that these policies were based on popular understanding rather than social science research. The importance of education is explored in Chapter 9 of Part IV, "The Debilitating Triad: Crime, Illegitimacy, and Inadequate Education." Academic achievement, school funding, affirmative action, school effectiveness, and Afrocentric education are among the educational issues explored. It is concluded that no improvement in black education is ultimately possible without orderly schools and communities. (SLD)