The Black Elite

[prayerfull]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
New York Times story featuring the children of the late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown (who was in an NIC fraternity, piece of trivia). Tracey Brown is 2nd from left in photo:

August 31, 2003
GOOD COMPANY
A Sag Harbor Sister-Fest
By LINDA LEE

Tracey went to Howard when I was there. Good peeps. But she needs to a hairdo and a dress with better coverage.

[SummerChild]

Southernelle,

There is a bit of a conundrum with your statement re dates for nouveau riche and old money. Um, prior to the late 1800s, most AAs were in a bit of a jam with that whole slavery thing, if you know what I mean. Therefore, how many AAs would fit into the old money category if you had to be rich (and be AFRICAN-AMERICAN) **before** the late **1800s**?

Originally posted by southernelle25
I read the book. Many (if not most) of those featured appear to descend from the "nouveau riche" of the very late 1800s/early 1900s, rather than what is traditionally considered "old money". As such, one might conclude that these individuals are only PERPing "elite" status, but ...at least they're having fun doing it?

[Tickled Pink 2]

Originally posted by sweet26
It is very sad that once again we have found something to separate us as a people.

Agreed. This is why things like what happened during Katrina can happen - because we do not stick together as a people. It's enough that other races discriminate against us - we don't need to segregate ourselves by class. It's to the point that other minorities are openly discriminating against us.

[southernelle25]

Very few, SummerChild, but these few did acquire freedom and relative wealth long before 1865. These were, at least in my view, the original 'talented tenth'.

I don't defend elitist behavior on the part of any people but if there ever was a group to claim an aristocratic-like status in our communities it would be the descendants of these, not those of the new money crowd.

[intuned]

Originally posted by The Original Ape
Along those lines, I'd like to know who the wealthiest African-American is, and their net worth!

oprah

[SummerChild]

Hello Southernelle25,
I guess (re those that acquired wealth before 1865). Really I don't care about whose old money, new money. I mostly care about who has no money (which is way too many of us) but was just wondering how many of this type that you mentioned were in existence before 1865. We're always finding something to separate over so I guess that this is really no different. We really need to come together b/c as Chris Rock said, most of us are really just *rich* -if that - not wealthy.

Originally posted by southernelle25
Very few, SummerChild, but these few did acquire freedom and relative wealth long before 1865. These were, at least in my view, the original 'talented tenth'.

I don't defend elitist behavior on the part of any people but if there ever was a group to claim an aristocratic-like status in our communities it would be the descendants of these, not those of the new money crowd.

[southernelle25]

^^^ True, SummerChild. That is a point that I agree can be missed in these sorts of discussions.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by prayerfull
Tracey went to Howard when I was there. Good peeps. But she needs to a hairdo and a dress with better coverage.

Tracey and her new husband are featured in the November issue of Town and Country on the wedding pages. She looks pretty.

[NinjaPoodle]

From the NPHC yahoo group

******************************

For your reading pleasure -- the Chicago sun-times is doing a series on the black middle class. As wecontinue to debate issues of race, it is vital we also talk about issues of CLASS... the gap between the have and have nots maybe growing but more importantly to us -- and our children's future is the fact thegap between the have and have nots in the black community is growing faster than the gap between blacks and whites...

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/...bmcgent14.html



Alturo Rhymes
Producer
CBS News/NewsPath

[PGPeripheryGirl]

Originally posted by SummerChild
Southernelle,

There is a bit of a conundrum with your statement re dates for nouveau riche and old money. Um, prior to the late 1800s, most AAs were in a bit of a jam with that whole slavery thing, if you know what I mean. Therefore, how many AAs would fit into the old money category if you had to be rich (and be AFRICAN-AMERICAN) **before** the late **1800s**?

Too funny. But really, if I was a white person who could trace my roots back to Europe a few centuries back, I would laugh hysterically at the idea of America's black elite. Afterall, the forefathers of the black elite once served at the feet of a white man. I'd have more respect for African elite because at least they'd have more history.

[BLUTANG]

a similar article from the Washington Post, discussing DC area AfAms, class, and crime.

Originally posted by NinjaPoodle
From the NPHC yahoo group

******************************

For your reading pleasure -- the Chicago sun-times is doing a series on the black middle class. As wecontinue to debate issues of race, it is vital we also talk about issues of CLASS... the gap between the have and have nots maybe growing but more importantly to us -- and our children's future is the fact thegap between the have and have nots in the black community is growing faster than the gap between blacks and whites...

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/...bmcgent14.html



Alturo Rhymes
Producer
CBS News/NewsPath

[PGPeripheryGirl]

edited due to error

[Exquisite5]

Originally posted by BLUTANG
a similar article from the Washington Post, discussing DC area AfAms, class, and crime.

The situation out here is really sad to me. I really want to raise my (future) children in a neighborhood full of Af Am professionals, but I want them to be safe. I don't know where I can find that mix in the DC area. I though Mitchelville was it (although it would take me FOREVER to get to work) but this article makes me think I can't find it anywhere.

I know the Gold and Platinum coasts are still options, but I don't feel like the homes in those areas are being kept as nicely as they should be.

The situation is sad.

[alum]

Originally posted by Exquisite5
The situation out here is really sad to me. I really want to raise my (future) children in a neighborhood full of Af Am professionals, but I want them to be safe. I don't know where I can find that mix in the DC area. I though Mitchelville was it (although it would take me FOREVER to get to work) but this article makes me think I can't find it anywhere.

I know the Gold and Platinum coasts are still options, but I don't feel like the homes in those areas are being kept as nicely as they should be.

The situation is sad.

Have you looked in VA? We have tons of multiethnic nice, safe neighborhoods with excellent schools. Both Colin and Condi live on our side of the Potomac.

[Exquisite5]

Actually alum, my hubby and I just opened our search to VA, but all we have found so far are areas with very little diversity. Please PM me the diverse areas you speak of.

Thanks

<<end hijack

RELATED QUESTION TO ALL:

How do you feel about upper middle class to upper class AfAms starting their own communities in efforts to escape the perils that so often are prominent in our communities? I am torn. I want to help rebuild "our" areas, but like I said before I want my kids to be safe. I want them to walk down the street and not pass drug dealers, I want them to play in parks that are not littered with syringes, etc...

What is our responsibility? In feeling a "responsibility" are we burdening ourselves with "group association" other groups do not experience? I am curious to the opinions of others...