Its not that the blacks were 'high risk', they were doing just fine with the existing mortgage. They were 'targeted' because they probably wouldnt understand the 'fine print. What was done was "We will lower your rate from 9% (or what ever) to 3%, which on the surface looks great, but it wasnt pointed out that it was a 2 year balloon and at the end of 2 years, if not paid would go to 16%.
Kennedy may have been involved but I think his part was more in offering big unaffordable loans to any and every body. It got a buddy of mine. He bought a new house worth $300,000 for about $450,000 and at closing they said "Wouldnt you like an extra $50,000 for nice furniture for your new home and maybe a vacation to Europe. He bit and 2 years later post bust his home was worth $300,000 and he was deep upside down with a payment he couldnt make.
But youre right about the slime factor of the big 3.