Slims Table, written by Mitchell Duneier has been called a "true stereotype buster" due to its content in which it truthfully examines the lifestyles of working class black men. The book is designed to break the common misconceptions imbedded in a majority of peoples minds over how a black man lives his life and why he in a sense "does what he does," "thinks what he thinks," and "acts the way he acts." Prior to the writing of this book by Duneier, there were many common stereotypes of a working class black man, which often caused negative attitudes towards them. Although many of them are still existent and quiet prevalent, Duneier sought to try and break these misconceptions in hopes to try and bridge the gap, which has for so long been expanding between blacks and whites.

Slims Table, appears to be written in a two-fold manner, in that Duneier tries to explain and debunk two different, yet equally important ideologies that have long since been associated to the black working class. Duneier tries to show the solidarity of the black working class with the way he presents the boo

As the book begins to conclude itself, the reader finds, the author reflecting back on his whole experience with these men in the Valois Cafeteria. Duneier states that these men that met at "Slims Table" day in and day out, truly impressed him. He states that they truly try and embody the beliefs and ideas created about the black working man, according to Drake and Cayton's Black Metropolis. These men try and live up to the standards set far back when the black ghetto wasn't perhaps considered an area of desecration and violence. However, Duneier concludes his book by conceding to the fact that many of those beliefs still do exist in modern day society. He ends his book with a powerful quote. After completing a conversation with a man he knows in a bookstore, he states after some discourse, "When we stop trying to feel good about ourselves, or to increase our power by asserting our innocence, we begin to look for answers by searching for truth." Slims Table is all about this quote. Mitchell Duneier felt it was time to search for the truth in regards to the black working class. He wanted to try and address the long-term myths about them, and although he conceded that he may not have gotten the whole picture, after all it would be pretty hard to; he truly did feel that his work allowed people to see what the black working man, living in a ghetto, is all about.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Slims Table, Slim Bart, Mitchell Duneier, South Chicago, Valois Cafe, Black Metropolis, Chicago Mitch, University Chicago, Bart Slim, slims table, black class, Dorney November, class black, mitch observes, associated black class, recounts story, mitchell duneier, recounts various, various stories, stories meets, meets cafeteria, book recounts various, various stories meets, life class black, recounts various stories,
Approximate Word count = 1506
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)