Philippe Bourgois (born 1956) is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Social Medicine and Humanities in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California at Los Angeles. His most recognizable work, In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio, is an enthnographic study of crack-cocaine dealers in East Harlem. It was inspired by Bourgois' experiences from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, where he lived next door to an East Harlem crackhouse.
Bourgois' enthnographic studies revealed a vicious cycle of marginalization amongst the social minority of Puerto Ricans in American inner-cities. This peripheral social-standing is reinforced by their violent street culture, which only further alienates them from mainstream American society.
By gaining the respect and friendship of drug dealers, Bourgois learned that violence is crucial to earning trust amongst peers in the ghetto. He also gained insight into the fact that many drug dealers do desire legitimate employment; however, due to factors such as prejudice/racism, subpar education, and little-to-no work experience, they are unable to do so. Consequently, they become trapped in a social-cycle of drug peddling and gang activity.
Following publication, Bourgois was rewarded with the 1996 C. Wright Mills Award and the 1997 Margaret Mead Award.
