Bourgeois Blues - America's Black Middle Class - People Like Us episode #4

People Like Us - The CNAM Channel

16 Mar 202109:34

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the complexities of being middle-class and Black in America. It highlights the unique challenges African Americans face as they navigate socioeconomic mobility, while still grappling with the persistent issue of race. The discussion covers the tension within the Black community around class divisions, the experiences of upwardly mobile individuals, and societal expectations. The video also examines the role of elite social organizations like Jack and Jill in shaping identity and relationships, raising questions about inclusion, privilege, and the desire to maintain racial solidarity amidst class advancement.

Takeaways

🧑‍🏫 The speaker identifies as middle class but emphasizes the unique experience of being Black and middle class in America.
🎯 Race is a key factor that continues to shape the experiences of middle-class African Americans, creating distinct dilemmas.
📉 Class distinctions in Black America are often uncomfortable to discuss, with some seeing it as divisive.
💼 Some African Americans in the middle class feel alienated by both poorer Black communities and white society, facing stereotypes from both sides.
👑 There is a perceived class structure within Black America, where upward mobility can be viewed as 'acting white' or being 'bougie.'
🏫 Educational achievements are valued, and many upwardly mobile Black people seek relationships within elite social circles, like Jack and Jill, which serve as hubs for social networking.
📚 Class success is sometimes equated with distancing from traditional Black identities, leading to feelings of isolation or being labeled 'Cosby Show Black.'
📝 Middle-class African Americans often face microaggressions, like being complimented for being 'articulate' or 'not like the rest.'
🎓 Organizations like Jack and Jill help middle-class Black families connect, but they are seen by some as exclusionary or elitist.
🌍 Balancing the pursuit of upward mobility with maintaining racial solidarity is a unique challenge for middle-class African Americans.

Q & A

What challenges does the speaker mention about being both Black and middle class?
-The speaker highlights the challenge of always being seen as 'Black middle class' rather than just 'middle class,' emphasizing that race continues to be a defining factor in their identity and experience.
Why is class a difficult topic for African Americans, according to the speaker?
-Class is uncomfortable for African Americans because discussing it may imply internal divisions, and many who have been oppressed do not want to be seen as oppressors.
How do some poor African Americans view the Black middle class?
-Some poor African Americans perceive the Black middle class as 'uppity' or acting like white people, reflecting class tensions within the Black community.
What does the term 'bougie' mean in the context of the script?
-'Bougie' is used as a derogatory term for Black individuals who are perceived as acting superior or distancing themselves from the working class, often due to education or lifestyle choices.
Why is education, particularly attending prestigious schools, important to some in the Black middle class?
-Education, especially from prestigious institutions like Ivy League schools, is seen as a marker of success and intelligence within the Black middle class, and many seek partners who share similar educational backgrounds.
How does the broader society often view Black individuals, regardless of their class status?
-Society frequently equates being Black with being poor, overlooking the diversity within the Black community, including the existence of a significant middle class.
What are some of the issues upwardly mobile Blacks face in the suburbs?
-Many Black middle-class individuals in the suburbs face the challenge of racial isolation, balancing their desire for upward mobility with the need to maintain racial solidarity.
What is the role of organizations like Jack and Jill for the Black middle class?
-Jack and Jill serves as a social incubator for children of high-achieving Black parents, helping them connect with others in similar socioeconomic positions and providing a space for forming future personal and professional relationships.
What criticism is directed at clubs like Jack and Jill?
-Clubs like Jack and Jill are sometimes criticized for being exclusive and creating divisions within the Black community, as they require invitations and often exclude those who don't meet specific socioeconomic or familial criteria.
How do Black middle-class individuals balance their desire for success with maintaining cultural roots?
-The Black middle class faces the dilemma of striving for success while being cautious of losing their connection to their cultural roots, as success is sometimes seen as synonymous with adopting the values of the oppressor.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 Navigating Middle-Class Identity as a Black American

The speaker reflects on their experience growing up in the middle class as a Black individual. They highlight how Black middle-class status comes with unique challenges, as the label 'Black' precedes 'middle class,' emphasizing the persistent racial identity. The speaker touches on the discomfort Americans, particularly Black Americans, feel about discussing class. They mention the perception that success equates to being 'uppity,' with others accusing them of thinking they are superior for aspiring to a better life. This dynamic is further complicated by the assumption that middle-class Black individuals act 'white' or are seen as out of place.

05:00

🏡 Straddling Class Lines and Social Expectations

The speaker delves into how many upwardly mobile Black Americans move to suburban areas, away from poorer communities. They discuss Jack and Jill, an elite social club for children of successful Black families, which serves as a networking space for future spouses. The speaker notes how such organizations can feel exclusionary, with certain criteria like family status or income determining membership. They describe the internal conflicts within the Black community regarding such clubs, and the feeling of superiority they may foster, as well as the irony of creating exclusive spaces after fighting for inclusivity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Middle Class

The term 'middle class' refers to a socioeconomic group characterized by moderate levels of income, education, and occupation. In the video, this term is specifically discussed in the context of African Americans who have ascended into this social stratum, highlighting the unique challenges they face, such as racial discrimination and being seen differently due to their economic status. The concept emphasizes the struggle of being both black and middle class in a society that often conflates being black with poverty.

💡Black Middle Class

The 'black middle class' refers to African Americans who have achieved a middle-class status in terms of income, education, and lifestyle. This group faces a distinctive set of challenges, as their racial identity often complicates their social standing. In the video, being part of the black middle class comes with stereotypes and social judgments, such as being labeled as 'bougie' or 'uppity,' highlighting the tension between race and class in America.

💡Bougie

Derived from the French term 'bourgeoisie,' 'bougie' is used colloquially to describe individuals who are perceived as trying to be upper class or overly concerned with material success and appearance. In the video, the term is used as a derogatory label directed at black middle-class individuals, suggesting they are pretentious or disconnected from their roots. It illustrates the class-based tensions within African American communities.

💡Race and Class

The intersection of race and class is a central theme of the video, discussing how being black and middle class creates a unique experience. African Americans in the middle class must navigate both economic success and racial stereotypes. The video explores the dual challenges of improving one's socioeconomic status while still being subjected to racial prejudices and assumptions, showing that upward mobility doesn't erase racial barriers.

💡Racial Solidarity

Racial solidarity refers to the idea that individuals within a racial group should support one another due to shared experiences of discrimination. The video highlights the tension black middle-class individuals feel between their desire to advance economically and the expectation to remain connected to their racial identity. The pressure to maintain racial solidarity, despite class differences, is a recurring issue.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group. In the context of the video, black middle-class individuals face stereotypes such as being 'too white' or 'thinking they are better' than others in their community. These stereotypes stem from societal expectations that associate blackness with poverty, making success seem like a betrayal of racial identity.

💡Social Mobility

Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social and economic ladder. In the video, many African Americans have experienced upward mobility, moving into the middle class. However, despite this mobility, racial biases continue to shape how they are perceived, indicating that economic success doesn't always translate into social acceptance.

💡Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill is an elite African American social organization that serves as a networking and social incubator for the children of black middle- and upper-class families. The video discusses how organizations like Jack and Jill create opportunities for black families to form connections within their class. However, it also highlights the exclusivity of these clubs, which can foster a sense of elitism and further class divisions within the black community.

💡Cultural Assimilation

Cultural assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often the dominant one, to fit in or be accepted. In the video, black middle-class individuals are sometimes accused of assimilating into 'white' culture, as their success is associated with distancing themselves from their racial roots. This theme is explored through the criticism they face for adopting certain behaviors or preferences that are seen as markers of whiteness.

💡Uppity

'Uppity' is a derogatory term used to describe someone, particularly a person of color, who is perceived as being arrogant or acting above their station. In the video, black middle-class individuals are often labeled as 'uppity' by both black and white communities, reflecting the discomfort and resentment that can arise when black people achieve success and economic mobility.

Highlights

Being black and middle class creates a unique set of dilemmas within a society that is haunted by race.

More African Americans have moved into the middle class in the last generation, highlighting the complex class structure within the Black community.

Class remains an uncomfortable topic in America, especially within the Black community, where there is resistance to acknowledging class divisions.

Some poor African Americans view their middle-class counterparts as ‘uppity’ and out of touch, believing they act superior.

Terms like 'boujee' are used to express these perceived class differences, often used as an insult to indicate perceived arrogance.

The desire for upward mobility can create social tension, particularly among African Americans who pursue education and wealth while maintaining racial solidarity.

A significant portion of middle-class Black individuals have moved away from urban areas to the suburbs, distancing themselves from poorer communities.

Organizations like Jack and Jill serve as social incubators for the children of successful African Americans, providing a structured space for maintaining class status.

Participation in organizations like Jack and Jill often revolves around maintaining a network for future success, such as identifying potential spouses from the same socioeconomic background.

There is a perception that exclusive organizations like Jack and Jill mirror the elitism found in historically white spaces, which can cause frustration among those who are excluded.

Class divisions within Black communities can create a sense of superiority, even within spaces that were meant to offer solidarity and support.

Some criticize elite Black organizations for teaching values similar to those of oppressors, fostering exclusivity rather than unity.

Middle-class African Americans often have to balance their pursuit of success with the ongoing need for racial solidarity in a racially conscious society.

Even successful, well-educated Black individuals continue to experience microaggressions, such as being told they are 'articulate' or that they 'write well,' implying surprise at their capabilities.

Despite upward mobility, middle-class African Americans are often reminded that they are still viewed primarily through the lens of race.