Department Stores and the Black Freedom Movement

This book impressively combines a history of the US department store industry, consumption trends, and civil rights into a single package. For me the operational details and racially stratified nature of the early department store industry was fascinating, as was the important social movement pressures in driving changes in hiring, promotions, pay, and presentation of products. Parker clearly demonstrates how management and work practices are fundamentally socially and historically situated, as well as how organizations can be sites that help foment social change. Highly recommend