Bourgeoisie
 

This question has been on my mind and I have gotten alot of answers to it.

What is exactly is Bourgeoisie in this day and age?

I was told that I am Bourgeoisie because of the way I was brought up--both parents, PK (preacher's kid), college educated, summers road tripping in the country, etc.

What is Bourgeoisie? And why I am the one carrying this moniker?

Good Question
 

When I think of Bougie nowadays, in terms of Black folks, I think of the women described in the BAP handbook. Very materialistic and status conscious.

Heck someone called my family bougie because we have a whirlpool bathtub. go figure. :rolleyes:

Re: Bourgeoisie
 

I thought that was the normal way to grow up. :o I thought Bourgeoisie is going to good private schools, eating at the finest restaurants, driving expensive cars, etc. My dad call us Bourgeoisie too and we sure as hell ain't that! As I get older I'm beginning to learn the definition of Bourgeoisie is very subjective.

I agree with you. I am not bougie. I am just me! :D

For some reason when I think of being "bougie" I have this image of Carlton & Hilary Banks (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) that keeps flashing in my head.

That is what I thought but for some reason I keep getting that title. I think there is alot of playa hata around you know.

Does it bother you?? I think the text book definition is someone having "middle class values". Or if you want to look at it from a Marxian POV (That's that sociology talking) its those who own the means of production...

I think "bourgie" African American are those who like to name drop and are puffed up with pride. They are members of the "First Negro" club and like to remind you of it i.e. "You know my grandfather was the first Negro (I guess now the politically correct name would be African American) to graduate from X college." They talk about they material things all of the time and constantly compare themselves to others to see if they will measure up. Another key for me that a person might be "bourgie" is that they play Negro Geography with you seconds after meeting you. "Oh, you live in Atlanta? Do you know the Youngs? They live in Cascade Heights. We were at the Vineyard with them last summer!"

Some bourgie folks actually don't have anything, they just desire it really bad. For instance, my sister's mother in law won't buy perfume at the mall in their small south GA town becuase she thinks the perfume in Atlanta is better. How silly is that! This woman is going to work her husband to death being pretentious.

Having nice things, going on great vacations, etc. does not mean you are bourgie, it all about the importance you place on those things and how you determine your worth and the worth of others.

Interesting definition.
Also: Check out Black Bourgeoisie by E. Franklin Frazier. The book was written some 50 years ago, but IMO, it gives a pretty good definition of what "bourgie" folx are about.

Yeah Franklin's book is classic. In addition to "Our Kind of People" by Graham.

Bingo

Re: Bourgeoisie
 

I feel your pain. I've been called this by some people as well. I've been told that I fit the "bourgie" characteristic because I did things that are not typical of African-Americans. Such as, going to sleep-away summer camp and taking my horse (yes...I'm bourgie because I owned a horse), going to Europe for the summer, living in a nice house in the suburbs, using my parents AE card to go shopping for getting good grades!!!! My parents wanted the best for me (what parent wouldn't???) and they worked hard to see that I had things that they didn't. But, I had to EARN those trips, the horse, sleep-away camp, by getting good grades and staying out of trouble. This doesn't make me a BAP....it just shows that I'm smart!!!!

It has bothered me from time to time. Especially when I met new poeple (you know our sisters and brothers in business suits) and they come from the other side, they say I have it too easy. That it was not rough on me. That I am crying the blues when there is none to be said.

The truth be it, I did have it "good" because of how I grew up but it has made me a better person for it. I know what I want. When I want it. I guess some people don't have that drive. I don't call it Bourgie. I call it ambition.

I don't really consider myself bougie but have been labeled it most of my life. I grew up upper middle class (2 professional Black parents, private school, house in the suburbs, etc.) To me bougie folx are pretentious people obsessed with possessions and status. But everyone has his or her own definition. I have heard people labeled bougie because they are in a sorority, or they went to college or they aspire to be successful so they carry themselves for the job they want not the one they have.

I dislike pretentious people and believe that I am overall down to earth, able to relate to whoever is in front of me. Most times, I find people use bougie as a way of putting others down as a result of jealousy or some other sad motive. It used to bother me when I was younger but now I figure as long as I work at being a good person who treats others with justice and genuine respect, I will certainly not apologize for my upbringing, opportunities or blessings!

good point, Kimmie.