Ok, I give up on this grammatical riddle. What am I missing? English is my second language, and I'm sure there is something here I don't get. I thought cutting across socioeconomic lines meant all were affected irrespective of socioeconomic status, while cutting along means something closer to cutting around a specific path - in this case around what appears to be a white community (presumably more affluent?). Now I'm totally doubting myself and mucho confundido!
In the meantime, I just sit in awe as I see Slater play with his...words.