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

From fancy-dress cotillions to Jack and Jill clubs to Ivy League mixers, this is an eye-opening tour of some of the cultural landmarks of America's African-American middle class. Featuring writers Lawrence Otis Graham and Benilde Little, who explains the significance of "bougie." From the award winning PBS documentary PEOPLE LIKE US.
www.cnam.com/people-like-us
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[@kafenwar]

This is not the Black Middle Class I remember because I am only from the petty-bourgeoisie. Jack and Jill Clubs, cotillions, etc., this is some other shit entirely. This is the UPPER middle class of Black America and a careful distinction should be made.

[@desireerutten]

Yes! They should definitely be a distinction made here. We are not holding cotillions any more than middle-class white people 😂

[@mareerogers364]

Both groups are shallow. Yall ain't the generation of race men who worked to uplift all of their people. Ida B. Wells looked down upon everyday hard working blacks and blamed them for getting lynched until her friends started getting lynched,the she had a apifany...Lawdy, lawdy we all "n's" to the white man. Pox on the black bourgeois 😂

[@AmoebaInk]

Exactly.

[@sparklefairymanagement]

❤

[@sparklefairymanagement]

Upper middle class black ❤

[@GabbyTeAma]

So I grew up black upper class. My dad's a politician, mom's a CEO and all that jazz. I have friends from all walks of life. I've noticed that the upper class in a lot of ways are no more intelligent, classy, or hardworking than other people. Most don't work. They utilize their family's resources and connections as they should.You should want to create a life that does not require your kids to work. I'm all for it. But you would be surprised how many upper class individuals are rather lazy and/or unintelligent. The only difference is they can afford it.

[@brittneywitherspoon8530]

It's fine for people to be lazy and/or unintelligent as long they're not burdening or making that someone else's problem. The *key* difference between the lazy poor and the lazy rich is that the lazy poor feel entitled and expect their laziness to be bankrolled through government programs, which other people's tax dollars pay for. The rich are not doing this.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

​@@brittneywitherspoon8530 The rich scam poor people in other ways.

[@brittneywitherspoon8530]

Firstly, what do you consider to be “rich?” Secondly, how do rich people “scam” poor people? Thirdly, how is that related to lazy people burdening and/or blaming others for their laziness?

[@mwp446678]

@@brittneywitherspoon8530 You are forgetting that ultra-wealthy people take advantage of government programs through the tax code.

[@DorisPayne348]

⁠@@brittneywitherspoon8530 Who told you this nonsense? No one gets more welfare than the rich! Brett Farve gave us insight into that… That’s what entitled looks like.

[@fayefaye3208]

I'm in black middle class now, I grew up Extremely poe, not poor, and now that I'm middle class, I have so many people now that dislike me. It's so sad we can't want the best for one another.

[@guesswho217]

So you're saying everyone loved you when you were po?

[@sarahsimpkins1311]

People become jealous when you have move up

[@dominiquewyatt6704]

Become private

[@missshannon9790]

Do you give back to your poor community or did you abandon it? Do YOU reach out to those you claimed ostricized you? What are you doing to be included in the larger Black collective? Or do you isolate yourself in your perceived middle class status?

[@fayefaye3208]

​@@missshannon9790I'm always giving back❤

[@wesleyshelby8163]

The mother at 8:33 said a lot in a few words. Getting up by your boot straps, but you’ve got to have boots first. Dr. King said the same thing! 💪🏾💯

[@Webbgurl2000]

Right. Racist policies hurt us

[@mskiara18]

I vaguely remember this documentary, thank you for sharing. Growing up in poverty, I wish I was born in a middle/upper class. I was in the company of relatives and strangers who sadly have called others bougie for simply having distinguished attire, not wanting to engage in certain activities, not listening to rap or being accused of "talking white" for enunciating their words. To hell with people who will call you bougie for wanting to communicate eloquently or wanting better. I wish the crabs in a barrel mentality would leave our people in general.

[@TijaunaK]

I grew up in the burbs. Raised by a single mom in the medical profession. All of us aren't Jack and Jill. Some of us are just unassuming that value a life of freedom.

[@manman3792]

Burbs does not mean anything. Some of us make over $200,000 annually and we choose to live in urban Black communities because we don’t want to live around w bunch of non-Blacks.

[@katyarnold6757]

It's good to see the African American upper middle-class people creating a life for their families and future. I am African American, and I am for black Americans bettering themselves but when you exclude other black American because they don't have a doctor degree and lawyers' degree and they don't have a P.H.D then that the problem with the jack and jill social club. I don't associate myself with either black upper-class Americans or the ghetto African Americans. I just deal with black Americans who are decent, hardworking, and just plain good people.

[@julijakeit]

but don't you see why classes are exclusive? don't you see the entitlement of people without the degree, their saying 'it's not gonna happen to me', while others went on and earned their degree. someone will go and do it and someone will complain that they are excluded.

[@aceb4634]

@@julijakeitugh. Stop.

[@Ms_T_Perfectly_Imperfect]

@Katy Arnold I couldn't agree more.

[@sheilastewart6618]

We know that opposites don't blend well, so it's good to separate ray-ray from Justin. We need some upper class people to represent us at state affairs etc....not just at riots and looting sprees.

[@themonsterwithin4000]

Classism exists in EVERY CULTURE and has been a thing for millennia.

[@themessengacross1581]

I Love being Black...Thank you Jesus

[@warpnin3]

I'm alright with it. I was born that way, and don't give it a second thought. What I really love though, is my (....insert skill....) ; I had to work hard to get that😄

[@missshannon9790]

Black is where it's at!

[@marleythomas4123]

Why?

[@E55666]

Cope.

[@tralosum9854]

You can say my family is Black American Middle Class! My daughter was accepted into Brown U, Northwest U, and otherPWIs. She chose to go to Howard U where she graduated, it was always her dream. She’s now at UIC’s graduate school. Education is not a question in our family it’s life. We’re not uppity, we have family and friends all over what you would call class whom we love and socialize with because that’s who we are in this world. How you relate to people with kindness is the key, if it is not received we move on.

[@iloveyougumi]

Awww! I graduated from Howard for undergrad and then Columbia for graduate school. I have 4 small boys and I honestly don't care if they go to school. College and even before. I'm trying to convince my husband to let me homeschool them. School kills the entrepreneurial spirit or the ability to think outside the box. My husband and I are working to establish businesses for them, so they can have passive income. I DO NOT want them to have the goal of finding jobs, as this is what typically happens after college. I want them to be more like what I saw with my classmates that didn't have to work , like my grandfather, a black man, that had a Gulf gas station in the 60's in Louisiana or my dad that started two multi-million dollar companies and provided work for countless minorities. My dad emphasized school, but I wish he would have taught me to take over his businesses instead. We can stay middle class or work to give our children the mindset that this is not the limit.

[@lvettesonai]

I relate to this documentary so much. All of my life I've been made feel a certain "guilt" (from other black people) for being raised in a upper middle class lifestyle in the 80s and 90s. I'm proud "bougie", because my grandparents and my parents worked hard to give us an easier life. Not easy..... easier.

[@kreativeforce532]

Ditto

[@guesswho217]

Some people never understand that their attitudes toward poor people and their propensity to look down on the have-nots fuel a lot of the so-called guilt. This is what happens when you lose the ability to relate with people of a lower class.

[@jennifervail5433]

When I was a young debutante, I quickly learned being called bougie was not complimentary. Don't perpetuate the word and its ill meaning. Simply be proud of your family's hard work which provided you an easy life. Now, that's something to be proud of, not being "bougie".

[@AmoebaInk]

@@guesswho217 Classism is not limited to the rich. There are many among the poor who resent the rich or middle class because it's a reflection of what they could be. Race just adds another dimension. It's harder to blame all your financial trouble on your skin tone when you see a black middle class rising. You either have to accept some responsibility for your own situation, admit race is not the only factor, or find a way to label that person a "traitor" of some kind. There are unfortunately a lot of people who conflate black culture with poverty culture. And it's a vicious cycle mindset... But the history makes it understandable. Slavery/segregation made it extremely hard to build wealth as a black person, so older generations tended to see class segregation along racial lines. As that breaks down, it changes what it means to be black in America and not everyone handles that with grace. There's also people who tend to think presenting as middle class gives you unlimited funds. Had some one argue with me last month that I could afford a thousand dollar trip out of the country, even though currently making a little over $600/mo before insurance. I am privileged in that I can live rent free with family right now but that wealth isn't infinite. Sure, I could empty my savings or retirement to go, but that would leave me financially vulnerable. I barely eat out. But I drive a nice car because my grandfather died. "Middle class" can be weird. It's privilege, but it's fragile privilege. At the same time, I get frustrated with some of that waste or excess I see from peers. So I can understand resentment when you're struggling to eat or make rent and someone is dropping $100 on their hair. I have to limit my charitable giving, but I deeply believe in the importance of it. Small luxuries turn into a complex ethical debate.

[@guesswho217]

@@AmoebaInk - You seem to harbor the very arrogant belief that too many of our self-proclaimed middle-class people hold dear. That belief is that once you get 3 paychecks above broke and start testing your credit limits by buying all the frivolous excess items you believe you're supposed to have (ex. Designer clothes, Gucci purse, fancy car, expensive home next to yt folks), that all of the poor people are "hating on" you, believing they are just jealous that the way they conduct themselves has made it hard for them to achieve all the things you have. Your analysis is flawed in the assumption that 1) All poor people want material items to validate them 2) People are poor (or have less money than you) because they're lazy and don't want to work as hard as you to achieve all of the required material possessions you were told you needed to look the part, and 3) Poor people's alleged jealousy is the reason they don't like or "hate on" middle-class blacks. I can assure you that as a working class person that I have absolutely no desire to waste good money foolishly on expensive clothes, fancy cars, and a big home with a zip code that brings me nearness to white people. My value system doesn't prioritize materialism over everything. I could care less what you drive or the name on the bag that holds your $25. Pseudo rich blk people THINK people are jealous of their material gains when in reality they only hate the 💩 attitudes that blk folks tend to gain once they think they've made it. These types are the ones you see that start talking down on blk people, gain a delusional paranoia that every blk person is jealous of them, and start voting Republican. These are the attitudes I've seen from the so-called blk middle-class that I take issue with. I could care less about you having a Range Rover. I only care about how well or bad you treat others, and it seems as if too many of the blk aspiring elite have forgotten how to relate to common folks and want to blame their communal alienation on jealousy.

[@carmennicholson2867]

There are class structure within every races of people! There are upper class/middle class/ lower class/ then come the poor within the one race. Attaining success don't means one of to lose their cultural roots, but its how you treat others when you're at that level of success. If your nose is always "UP"looking down on those below you, it's time to reacess and examined SELF!!.One thing we all have in common is, we ALL BLEED RED AND WE ALL WILL DIE SOMEDAY!

[@theduke6174]

Wonderful and RIP to Lawrence Otis Graham, he opened my eyes to this part of Black America

[@asia_jo]

Sad he passed so young.

[@KINGCABA-if4nk]

Yes I love how it’s black old money families. Like the Kennedy, Rockefeller which makes sense are the segregation there was lots millionaire generational and created hbcs, naacp etc

[@jboss729]

May he rest 🙏in peace. He wanted more for us. People say I am bourgeois but I dc.

[@susanhurst3292]

Wow, I didn't know he passed away. Rest in Peace to him. His book is a excellent read!!!

[@tracymorgan5386]

I read his book, I wasn’t aware of this world until then either. Oh my lord I didn’t know he passed I’m so sad. When did he pass

[@reggieking98]

I didn't know anything about this, actually extremely interesting being me from the projects & back from prison (again). I still love to see my people doing well

[@nicolewigfall6035]

This resonated with how I grew up And RIP Lawrence Otis Graham - I was very sad to hear of his passing.

[@Bahia82]

Yes indeed RIP Lawrence

[@kimberlyowens5496]

Did not know he had passed.

[@Century2008]

Now this is real high achievement at its best. No matter what people say it is necessary in preserving the future for the children with minds that move forward and improve society for everyone. I don't mind missing out on this opportunity. 65 yrs too late but it makes me feel good to see this is going on. You got my support; good people make for a better society.

[@christinerichardson6596]

I'm feel the same as you! I'm thrilled to see this! This should be a goal instead of a negative!

[@djholidaytv414]

not even close to high achievement

[@vernonrobinson1685]

The black bougie class needs to be put on a pedestal without apology.

[@beelz5932]

No they do not. The bourgeoisie are simply the owning class, not the “better” class that deserves laude. The working class should thank themselves, they are the producers of this world, and they will inherit it.

[@vernonrobinson1685]

They absolutely will not, should not, and I stand on my original comment. #Exclusion is the key.

[@beelz5932]

@@vernonrobinson1685 You are the exclusionist, you want to maintain the system that leaves many parts of the world underdeveloped, especially the global south. Most prominent black leaders were socialists, they understood the necessity for Socialism for Black Liberation. Your class will not exist forever.

[@stacyjackson4793]

Thanks for letting the world learn something more about the diversity within our community

[@josiahgreen242]

This is more representative of the black upper class, maybe some upper-middle class but not middle class. A Nurse and Fire fighter with 2 kids are middle class. They don’t live quite at this level. The Banks’s would be Upperclass, the Huxtable’s would be upper-middle class, middle class are the Windslows

[@Cheryl-cg8bn]

The Banks would be wealthy.

[@CarolynForney]

We are allowed private social lives that only consist of people that we choose. Spending time with a group that wants to exclude me doesn’t sound very encouraging or uplifting. There are millions of people in the world . We can all create our own circles.

[@quix66hiya22]

True, but some of these people are gatekeepers, working to get theirs and keep other Blacks out.

[@sheilastewart6618]

Amen. 👏👏👏😁😁

[@sheilastewart6618]

@@quix66hiya22 Are you sure you want pookie and his baby mama next door, or hooda and her 5 children from 5 different baby daddies?? Just asking??

[@CarolynForney]

@@quix66hiya22 That is fine. I wouldn’t want to mix and mingle with those who want to keep me out of their circle.

[@brittneywitherspoon8530]

@@quix66hiya22 Nobody owes anybody anything and not all black people are entitled to entry into social circles. A lot of folks have been excluded from established social circles (e.g., Jewish people were not alway considered white and were excluded from elite WASP social circles), but have gone on to form their own with equal or greater success than the groups they were excluded.

[@sheenspeaks]

Fun fact: There are many bougie blacks who are in a lower socioeconimic class as well.

[@blkyogi999]

Right… they’re delusional

[@incognegro2315]

They the worst

[@Sellmecandyxo]

@@blkyogi999 wait what makes you say they’re delusional? 😂 I think I’m one of the bougie ones but I’m not middle class

[@collinoliver7049]

Is it ever ok to be bougie? 🚫Capital🚫

[@chocolateradiance7216]

No...not possible. That doesn't make sense at all. They aren't talking about attitude but ppl who have money. I think you are getting it confused. Bourgeois are ppl who come from old money..to act bougie just means your attitude. Not the same..

[@anndeecosita3586]

I grew up middle class. Also my family has owned land and property dating back to the 1800s passed down from my 3x great grandfather. A lot of my family continues to live in small towns and rural areas with farms, horses, and cattle. A lot of them are business owners too. I can say with time and I travel I have discovered just how much socioeconomics influences world view. I don’t relate to most black people from inner cities. I hear them say black people don’t leave their kids property and don’t get life insurance. ?? I heard Chris Rock say something weird about seeing a black man on a horse which I have seen a million times. Especially at parades with the black horseback riding clubs. So because he lives in NYC he thinks no black people own horses? There is literally a Black Rodeo. I remember hearing a on KZbin about income tax returns being Christmas for black kids. I was unaware. I think my parents usually owed taxes both income and property. My mom was a self employed graphic artist much of my childhood. I have never heard of lots of stuff as “black”. I don’t relate to inner city Black people and consider them to be of another culture just like I consider a black person is from a Caribbean or African country to be from another culture.

[@delirous8]

Inner city Black people are descendants from the great migration. That is why they have that mentality they are cut off from their southern roots and integrated with other folks in major cities.

[@geegee260]

These are black rodeo groups in Brooklyn NY so thats BS

[@queenofthesouth4205]

Thank you Lawrence Otis Graham for writing the book!!! Thank you Fox for bring us #OurKindOfPeople starring YaYa DaCosta, Morris Chestnut, Lance Gross, Nadine Ellis, Debbie Morgan. Hello to my #JackandJill Family

[@nj1624]

yay

[@edwarda2033]

I read his book 20 some odd years ago, very eye opening.

[@taurahelms3068]

The late Lawrence Otis Graham's book Out Kind of People is excellent but a pull no punches read for those wanting more insight. I think those who read it will come to gain a better understanding of the black upper classes.

[@joeblow1688]

If you've seen the "White" upper class, then I say, you've seen the "Black" upper class. You won't need a book to tell the difference. There is only one - skin color.

[@Imissyoulou]

@@joeblow1688 The book is EXTREMELY insightful. It gives you an historicial perspective, which is important.

[@phil_accio]

Racial solidarity tends to wane as you move up the economic ladder. Thats what needs to be addressed and fixed. We need solidarity not just in our own socioeconomic class

[@beautyluv2370]

In the 70s my cousins were in Jack and Jill...my Uncle was a Veteran and Factory worker. That was the elite of that time.

[@Imissyoulou]

At one time, your cousins would not have been in Jack and Jill. Lawrence Graham, speaks of it in his book, "Our Kind of People."

[@RocknRollDina]

class is a real thing. Poor people can start their own club that focuses on community and fostering the well being of their kids together; that can lead them out of poverty also.

[@tfh5575]

um chile anyways

[@LatiWins]

@@tfh5575 😂

[@julijakeit]

indeed, what I got from some people is a sense of entitlement just because they are x y z. as an immigrant i put more work because i don't have the knowledge natives have but i accepted that and work on building myself. someone coming to me and telling me 'give me what you have because you are my kin' will be blocked. and yes, i sadly had a few people like that. it's not even a race thing. it's really a class thing. some people only talk about wanting good life but they don't want to put an extra work. nothing is possible if you wait for others to do things for you.

[@intelligencehaswon5714]

@@julijakeit Don't get involve in American issues and focus on fixing the problems in your own country, which is why you're in the U.S. to begin with.

[@thefrenchfieldnigga8078]

Bingo

[@aGwEENapple]

I think the difference between other communities, particularly Asian communities and blacks is they can be with little but they'll help each other. They won't turn their nose up at each other. They're true communities that don't see each other as competition.

[@aGwEENapple]

Black people can't come together and work with each other. It's always about no money/ have money. Even with people with less money. People look down on people that don't wear certain pricey outfits. It's always about money and not about values. I don't hear about organizations/ community groups that help each other out. There's no organizing. There's no villages. Black pride? Yeah right! Everyone is for their self!

[@aGwEENapple]

In Harlem there's flyers for parties but not for committees organizing unity. No meetings for educating each other. People no matter what age need help from time to time. No elders looking to guide younger people. There used to be but everyone sticks to their own families!

[@aGwEENapple]

Every man for their self!

[@dguthrie1]

@@aGwEENappleyou are very beautiful

[@sayeedharem4673]

None of the popular content creators would upload then discuss videos such as this . The idea of clubs and societies , structure and discipline is at odds with the blk street culture which leads many astray and has no ownership of any the b.s they promote . The KZbin algorithm is very important. I only see suggestions like these after ive watched tutorials or DIY videos

[@red2k4]

I'm intrigued. I love watching stories like this! I need to find this series. I'm glad this popped up on my recommendations.

[@truegrit7697]

OMG - this rings so true! We went to Jack and Jill and were on a swim team, I took ballet lessons and karate (I was terrible). I never went to a Cotillion, though I was dying to wear one of those white gowns! I grew up with mostly whites and asians. Blacks that we met did not like us. Racism did not come from the hands of whites or asians, it came from the blacks that were bussed into our junior high school. They were awful to be around. Eventually we became cordial (I wouldn't call it "friends"), but they had very rough upbringings; it was sad. At 7:20, those two women who seemed angry that they weren't "invited" into Jack and Jill, well, that "anger" is what was wonderfully MISSING from Jack and Jill. Those two women make the exact point as to why they weren't invited.

[@user-ex1vd9td7k]

Remember being recruited for Jack n Jill as a kid... when that social group found out my family was very poor, off n on homeless, drug addicted parents... Never heard from them again lol

[@chanelg376]

Seeing this come up in my recommendation and the comments is really a slap in the face and a huge reason why black solidarity won’t ever happen. The future is so bleak rn and all we care about is making more money for ourselves and our children. 🥴

[@jacklynnmjackson2383]

So

[@chocolateradiance7216]

It's called classes and it's in all races. Has nothing to do with black solidarity

[@smiley32s]

Each one teach one.

[@Thizlamic]

Spike Lee: School DaZe....WAKE UP!!!

[@cnam2000]

Look in the description above for links to download or purchase the entire film!

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

This is the black upper class

[@arabionjames9290]

I am reading Lawrence Otis Graham novel right now. I also saw the first episode of ""Our kind of People """.

[@nj1624]

oh remember it is not really a novel... it is a NON-fiction... true stories you will read in that book... so amazing!

[@arabionjames9290]

@@nj1624 thank you I was so disappointed with the television depiction of their lives

[@nj1624]

@@arabionjames9290 yes just a little I was hoping that (besides the drama) more information on the Jack and Jill, the Boule, etc. They only gave snippets of it in the first three episodes......

[@CreolePearls_]

Grew up in black middle class during the late 90s and early 2000s. I grew up going on vacations every year, private schooling, swimming lessons, tutors, dance school and church on Sundays. We lived in a house 🏠 not an apartment, I can’t relate to growing up in the hood. I grew up very blessed 😊

[@TOoLiVe5]

You're boasting about something you had nothing to do with lol.

[@CreolePearls_]

@@TOoLiVe5 so what

[@soulglowsheen]

You got a vacation erry year ... Lucky

[@CreolePearls_]

@@soulglowsheen not every year lol that’s was exaggerating but we did go on summer vacations from time to time

[@LDrumsOhio]

Same!

[@FredrickLBishop]

I was born in East Point, Georgia which is on the south side of #Atlanta. Predominately, the south side of Atlanta (East Point, College Park, Union City, etc.) is a Black and working class area, but there are pockets of middle class neighborhoods/suburbs, luxury subdivisions, and even affluent estates. I would say my mother and I both grew up middle class. My late maternal grandparents came from humble beginnings, but they attended HBCUs, pledged to Divine 9 BGLOs, obtained graduate degrees, and worked as educators for nearly 40 years respectively. I don’t know if they would be considered Boule or a part of the Black bourgeoisie though.

[@TomikaKelly]

Your grandparents were people who did well for themselves and contributed to their community. As a middle class Black person, let me tell you that's more important than being a part of the Talented 10th

[@FredrickLBishop]

@@TomikaKelly I agree! They inspired and impacted so many students!

[@LisaPellegrino]

I'm grateful for this video to learn from, as well as the comments that offer very interesting perspectives. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@AmoebaInk]

This isn't just middle class. This is upper middle class and lower upper class. I get a little tired of middle class and suburbia being characterized as some rich escape "away from the working class". There are plenty of homeless and working class people in suburbia. The poverty is perhaps better hidden, but it's there, and plenty of working class people still live in neighborhoods. Certainly some neighborhoods are more exclusive than others, but suburbia is not only composed of McMansions. I get that there's more contrast with debutant ball level of rich, but Middle class in the US is more of a range than videos like this get across. I think particularly the idea that working class people don't live in suburbs is what's grating me. The houses tend to be smaller and/or more people squeeze into them. You can have middle class people in city apartments as well... It's generally more expensive to live near the city center. But conflating class and urban/suburban/rural is overly simplistic.

[@CJJohnson-tt6xs]

Cj i remeber seeing this dovumentary on tv sone years i am so glad i fouvused it again on this video ❤❤❤❤

[@samcopeland3155]

It’s crazy what they called middle class back in the day.

[@yannylane]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I think it’s fine to have your own group of middle class. However, I think excluding others and not helping others get where you are is problematic…to each his own. Also noticed that none of the girls had their hair natural. Things to think about.

[@nataliewalters2759]

The problem is that not everyone wants the help instead they want you to do it for them . My husband and I are wealthy African Americans and most of my family are well to do but we help those that really want to work hard.

[@purplezinnia1139]

Hi Yanique. You can be poor, welfare class, lower class and still have relaxed or not natural hair. From your photo, it appears that your hair is long and straight. Yes! I know that Black people can have naturally straight or less afro textured hair. Black people have been helping other Blacks. It's the poverty mentality that some Black peoplebuy into that turns off upper class Blacks from helping them. The poverty mentality is that a Black person must be poor and living in the 'hood an on welfare and that having money, and upper class mores means you're trying to be white. This is B.S. Black people have just as much right to wealth, living well, and speaking the Queen's English.

[@sharnagrayson9649]

Poor blacks never have their natural hair out either shut up

[@yannylane]

@@sharnagrayson9649 Your comment is so rude and unnecessary. I was simply stating something I noticed and have been noticing for awhile. It’s more common to see someone not in that world with their natural hair out. The rudeness of your comment was uncalled for.

[@lvettesonai]

Why is having natural hair the requirement to be able to be identified as a proud black person? It's an aesthetic choice like anything else.

[@deloresboudreaux2755]

Unfortunately, being “ Middle-Class, “ should not be something to be ashamed of.

[@sheilastewart6618]

Say it loud , Deloris.The hood-rats are proud, why shouldn't others be proud??

[@jchow5966]

All people should strive.

[@KoolT]

You're upper middle class. Lovely neighborhood. Fabulous.

[@ladyk7675]

Sadly America has conditioned Black people to think like toddlers everything is about me. I’m Black and I love it ! I’ve been told I speak well by all races I say Thank you and keep it moving. What I’ve learned in my life is people are really not thinking about you. People of all races have their own problems and don’t have time to think really deeply about what other people are doing. I also feel like it is my duty to live my best life because of what my people before me did to afford me the rights I have and the opportunities made available to me. My suggestion is live your life to the fullest of course treat everyone the way you want to be treated but don’t worry about what random people are thinking. Life is short You could be out of here tomorrow .

[@PoliticalAbstract]

And people like you are the problem. Learn to stand up for yourself and stop accepting rudeness and racism from people. Smh.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Black people think just as well as anyone else. Stop being ignorant.

[@arnibah]

It is white America that conditioned the minds of black people. It is white America that did all they could to block true reformers who tried to recondition us,e.g.Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali, Elijah Muhammad, and Louis Farrakhan. This is another reason reparations are due.

[@mja9376]

When she says " we are BLACK middle class". It's so funny

[@kiaj.d.5855]

That “b” was hardly accented in Black too.

[@1hinita]

It was! I was dang lmbo just say black

[@heathertea2704]

The young Lady with the braids is SO indoctrinated. Wow!

[@christian5327]

It would be best for her to adopt a more conservative hairstyle rather than jail bird braids.

[@lightfootwind4068]

@@christian5327 but those lips tho

[@veronicaancrum4871]

@@christian5327 You’re absolutely correct and it looks raggedy too.

[@eniolarotimi4907]

@@lightfootwind4068 Her lips are better than the lines you need fillers for.

[@eniolarotimi4907]

@@christian5327 Her hair is better than your kids own.

[@juliannakaberovsky4545]

You are not like others blacks cause your are briliants!!! god bless you all! Show them the way !!

[@wellbeingadvocate]

Bougie is a state of mind.

[@deeplus777]

These are the type of black folks I like being around.

[@tfh5575]

and you are the type of person i would hate being around

[@danielhart7435]

@@tfh5575 I like you

[@moongirl3437]

@@tfh5575 who cares

[@EbonyJoneskuye]

Sad

[@DTMyles]

I agree.

[@IndigoCosmic]

I knew a African American woman who was raised upper middle class and this statement reminds me of her @3:20. She complained of something similar about this African American basketball player she was dating..lol. She preferred this non black guy who was worse..

[@lilmizzije]

Where can i watch the entire thing?

[@purplezinnia1139]

Upper class and Black and Bougie proud.

[@kreativeforce532]

J&J is exclusive. All groups for those who are have's are exclusive. The assumption that they would not be on the part of Black people; simply because the group is Black is an insult. African people of all income levels need to throw away this social desperation habit. Learn to be okay in solitude, in small groups, or get those popuation numbers up 😉😉. Inclusivity due to loneliness leads to erosion of a group from the inside.

[@JudgeHill]

Would love to see the whole thing. What year was this?

[@maryprince6011]

Yea, me too. It looks older.

[@JudgeHill]

@@maryprince6011 at the very end of the video they’re announcing the winner and they cite 2000 as the year....

[@VacuumTRapEzoid]

Filmed in 2000

[@freethinking2905]

Filmed in 2000? I figured as much. This video is irrelevant today now that wealth data has become available. The people here may have earned a good living but how much wealth do they actually have? If you compare the black middle class to the white middle class, the difference in median net worth is startling.

[@goodmeasure777]

@JudgeHill83, Looks like 90s to me, looking at the Tupperware plastic tumblers folk were drinking out of, shoulder pads in dresses, and sneakers while doing the tug o war.

[@user-bm9nj1om3v]

I think when there is an exclusivity there comes the feelingness of " I got in because of this, this..." Then that will start a feeling of superiority.

[@thevisitor154]

I've had an extraordinary career. My family and I have lived in several countries and numerous American cities. My kids went to state college and they are starting their careers without college loans. I've never joined are allowed my children to be involved in such organizations (Jack & Jill) mentioned in this documentary. I taught them to work hard, finish what you start and never give up on your dreams. I also taught them to be nice and approachable. I let them know money doesn't grow on trees and to respect money. While my net worth is more than seven digits, I'm still the same guy who started life with $500 and a degree from an HBCU in Mississippi.. Some of these people are pathetic. I've recently started a second career after retiring. I find myself working among the people I see in this video and it really is shameful.

[@israelyasanprince4833]

When you realized the richest devil's always have been among us to the highest class.

[@coachsamir6400]

I grew up in Jack & Jill…..once I became an adult and accepted Islam, I was no longer wanted in those circles.

[@andreadavis4883]

what is it like?

[@deniseeugene1852]

These were called cotillions . They represented the black elites daughters. The movie Something Different illustrated this well.

[@CoffeeRaven]

This is the black America I grew up in.

[@elana604]

Shame there isnt anything like this in the UK.

[@traditionalmagician]

the thing is if you think black capitalism is the necessary needle for black advancement you already behind the record.

[@darknoble1151]

so superficial...I grew up ina lower income neighborhood and heard some of the same things bcs I spike "proper"...nothing to do with my parent's finances...people will always judge for some reason. Then when I get to an Ivy league school, all the white folks didn't think I deserved to be there. Also, I can go in depth about some of these organizations...but I'll digress.

[@truthseeker6874]

I'm not sure if everyone knows how "middle class" is defined and measured. It's not about social status, dances, and showing material stuff, although that may be a part of it. The main description of class is defined via economics. According to the Federal Reserve Board: Between 2013 and 2016, though, the median net worth for Black families dramatically increased by 27% to $18,200. It jumped 17% (to $181,900) for white families. That growth continued between 2016 and 2019, with median net worth rising 32% (to $24,100) for Black families and 4% (to $189,100) for white families.Feb 6, 2023 So, the middle black family supposedly has $24K in net worth, while the middle white family has $189K in net worth. However, when you take out the durables from each class, i.e., car, clothes, furniture, etc., which is around $15K - $20K, the true liquid net worth for black middle class is around $4K - $9K, and around $169K for white middle class. Now, can you see why black people really don't have a middle class at all? In fact, most of the assets owned or possessed by black families are leveraged by debt, i.e., house, car, furniture, clothes, school, etc. So there really isn't a lot to put on a show when you look at things intellectually. As black people, we need to understand our history and how we became so wealthless in America due to slavery and ongoing oppression so that we can move in a direction to help solve our problems. When we don't see our true condition, we don't seek the appropriate solutions, and our problems get worse. This is why black people repeatedly vote for the democratic party even though the democratic party does nothing to help black people because we don't see our issues correctly. When you understand that you are being made poor by others, you will come together to help yourselves find/execute a solution that will work in your own best interests.

[@2mc121]

@Truth Seeker, my greatest wish is that our people would listen to wisdom such as yours and take positive actions to making it a reality for our community.

[@5x7m]

I agree with almost everything stated except voting and Democrat party. It's not as if voting Republican is the party of Lincoln.

[@truthseeker6874]

@5x7m Voting is about getting policies implemented that represent the will of the constituency. Blacks have voted democratic for the last 60 years with no policy that supports/uplifts the black community. There are many democratic policies that benefit every other group that the black vote maintains (LGBTQ, immigrants, Asians, white women, etc), but no policies that represent a black agenda. For example, the George Floyd bill is about justice in policing. It would benefit black people greatly because we are the majority if not the only people killed unjustly by cops who, through police immunity, are not held accountable for their actions, But the democrats won't get it done, and blacks continue to die unjustly. Then, there is a proposed black hate crime bill that would punish harshly white supremacists in particular, but anyone in general who intentionally harms black people due to racism and biases, very similar to the Asian hate crime bill, which has been passed into law. Although the democrats are mostly supported by black people like yourself, they have no intentions on delivering this much needed protection to black people, but they do expect you to continue to vote for them, and you do. Last, but certainly not least, is reparations for 246 years (1619-1865 ) of brutal, chattel slavery, including buck breaking, raping, killing, breeding, and separation of black families; another 100 years (1865-1965) of Jim Crow segregation and continuing oppression (including, lynching, convict leasing, peonage schemes, joblessness, redlining, economic exclusion from wealth building, segregation, multiple race massacres, etc); and the last 58 years (1965-2023) of continuing trauma and suffering via ongoing oppression and racism, including school to prison pipelines, criminalization of black men, massincarceration, predatory lending practices, continued redlining, unfair housing and child care laws, welfare, abortion clinics, planting drugs and guns in black communities, food deserts, health disparities, gentrification, water insecurities, medical racism, police shootings and injustices, etc. Altogether, this is 404 years (1619-2023) of exclusion from wealth building, which has led to a racial wealth gap that is an accumulation of generational disadvantages and poverty built into the black family of America. So when you say the republican party is not the party of Lincoln, what does that mean exactly? Neither party has done anything to dismantle racism and ongoing oppression of black people, but then again, blacks aren't voting for the republicans, so there is no quid pro quo, as in the case for the democrats. My solution would be to vote downballot for local government only and to sit out the national elections until somebody calls us to address our concerns. There's really no other way to go.

[@warpnin3]

Question: Who do Jews, Chinese and East Indians vote for? Answer: It doesn't matter; your wealth is not determined by your political affiliation but by the work you put in.

[@truthseeker6874]

@warpnin3 Correction. Wealth is determined by race. For example, if you are black American and you are a descendant of American slavery, you likely don't have inherited or created wealth, due to 246 years (1619-1865) of brutal, chattel slavery, another 100 years (1865-1965) of Jim Crow segregation and oppression, and the last 58 years (1965-2023) of continuing trauma and suffering via ongoing oppression and sabotage against the black family. Whatever you have is created through labor which is no longer as lucrative as it was back in the 80s. Whites, on the other hand, took wealth generated from slavery, Jim Crow, and ongoing sabotage and invested it and left it to their progeny as inheritance. This is the basis for reparations as a result of this racial wealth gap, which is an accumulation of generational disadvantages and poverty built into the black community from white supremacy.

[@celestialnubian]

Nice vid but do you think you could've made the logo even bigger. eyeroll

[@nj1624]

this is in the year 2000

[@patriceesela5000]

😅😅😅

[@sparklefairymanagement]

❤

[@blackapples4744]

Very nice organization. I’m happy to see that young black women are groomed to have charm.🕊🤎💐🌸

[@sheilastewart6618]

Me too🤗 , glad we are not all up for rioting and looting and starring in weekend killing stories.

[@justinwinfree7843]

I noticed something in this video that all the Black people are light skin. I wonder if that has something to do with it

[@CJJohnson-tt6xs]

Cj mistake in spelling glad i found it again on this video is what i meant😊❤❤😊

[@ddavis8988]

I was born middle class and am currently considered upper middle class. I know some Jack and Jill folk. Some are cool, some are asshiles. I knew a few in Jack and Jill whose parents are not doctors, etc. More like financial execs, and im sire that is still consodered to be high level occupations.

[@TEJAYheni]

They can't see the disconnect. You only want IVY league guys? That's wild. Many Ivy league schools sold slaves to remain open. Yes, that crosses my mind when I hear black folks speak like that. I'm wondering how you could form that worldview given the past and the present. It's the ideology that becomes the issue not the success. But, hey, life is hard. I find there's nowhere to go. I couldn't enter that space. But, no, I don't want to struggle either. It's truly depressing.

[@DTMyles]

What are your thoughts on black Christians? The Bible literally says, "... slaves obey your masters...". We all know Christianity was imposed on slaves by the slave masters and yet there are countless black Christians.

[@TEJAYheni]

@@DTMyles Christianity for me is a guide. There's many different forms of it, many different denominations. I like to examine them. I think you can have radical ideas and still be a Christian. I just think many authorities have manipulated black folks. To me that's not an assessment on theology.

[@DTMyles]

@@TEJAYheni Regardless of the various denominations, it is not the religion of our ancestors. I find it absolutely abysmal that any black person would subscribe or use it as a "guide" given it was used as a form of control. I was raised Anglican and King James - King James Version of the Bible, was an Anglican theologian. As I continued to through my teen years, I immediately pushed back on the beliefs knowing the purpose. I don't understand how you can reconcile Christianity and slavery yet take issue with this woman's desire to only date someone who graduated from an Ivy. BTW - would you use the KKK handbook as a guide?

[@DTMyles]

@@TEJAYheni To your earlier argument, I can't understand how you don't see the hypocrisy. But hey, life is hard, right? 😉

[@DTMyles]

@@TEJAYheni To your earlier argument, I can't understand how you don't see the hypocrisy. But hey, life is hard, right? 😉

[@marilynbradley8487]

I never qualified for any of these groups but I get why you can't just let just anybody in. I feel like I'm stuck between two worlds. I'm too ghetto for one world and not ghetto enough for the other.

[@CJJohnson-tt6xs]

Cj at the time I was presented as a deb a lot of blacks considered that was a bougie type thing because we originated from the cotton patch but a lot of people did not know the first black deb balls started sometime in the 1700's as the Ethiopian ball😮😮😊😊

[@jchow5966]

When was this filmed made??

[@vinyasa748]

Notice how most of them are lighter in complexion.

[@lilmizzije]

there was loads of darkskin people but i understand if there are more wealthy lighter complected individuals because in our community when black men get money they go for anything white or close to it and those children repeat.

[@vinyasa748]

@@lilmizzije also dates back to slavery when the Children of the slave master would sometimes inherit something

[@grmmth3]

Jack and Jill are the children of bi racial boule @oons during slavery. Did you notice the "black" woman sounding like a Jewish grandmother?

[@smoothcriminal4038]

@@lilmizzije Most black men with money marry black women stop trying to attack all black men.

[@jacklynnmjackson2383]

No

[@rocnnrollbus]

I ain't good enough for these types of people and that's fine by me. I would want my kids to have exposure to this but to make up their own minds of where they fit in. Outside of that nobody cares. It seems the wishes of some of the oppressed is to become the oppressor..

[@LA_HA]

Rocknroll Busdrvr: I'm extremely curious as to how people who do their own thing are now categorized as "oppressors." I mean, they seem to spend 99% of their time not thinking about the people who resent them. They appear to be doing their own stuff and are happy in their place. Is there a reason this makes someone oppressive?

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Dumb comment. Nobody said they were better than anyone else. You don't want your kids exposed to successful people? Well, expose them to drug dealer and addicts.

[@dominiquewyatt6704]

​​@@LA_HAthey are oppressive due to some not being humble and look down on others, who may not have had certain advantages in life. I'm not saying all are like this but most. Most always say that the poor is lazy, simply not true. I know this is what they have been condition to think.I believe those who are in poverty they are labeled lazy. They have a poverty mentality. A conditioning of the mind that they can't do better. The difference is some people have ambition and drive and achieve, while others have fear and donot have that same drive an ambition. Alot of fear, poverty mentality, some give up to easily, others have more disadvantages stacked up against them.

[@LA_HA]

@@dominiquewyatt6704 And? What's that to do with anyone else? There are more than plenty of people who openly resent the rich and wealthy based on their own perceptions about the entire group of well-off people. Why is That okay? But, to know you worked hard for something, succeeded, and feel your oats about it, suddenly, people demand you to be humble so their self-esteem doesn't suffer? We need to Stop getting in other people's lives and bank accounts like we have the right to tell someone what they need to do or because it's just about envy. If that level of achievement was easy, everyone would be at the top. Now the incapable get to dictate behavior to the capable? Why? It doesn't make sense. Have you ever read the short story, Harrison Bergeron?

[@rocnnrollbus]

​​​​@@LA_HAyes, because society doesn’t see them as any better than the lower socioeconomic are distinguishing themselves from.....which isn't their fault, but herein lies the issue: that's oppressor group think. That's where we get it from. Nuthin wrong with moving yourself forward in this rigged system but leave the classism and the elitism at the door...ya dont need any of that to move yourself forward. It's just dead weight. That's being original. That's doin' your own thang.

[@zezeebetaa]

I wonder when did the tradition of a debutante ball that began and by whom

[@unclebobo9456]

What is wrong with being called black??? Middle class is what other people call you. When we don't help others that's when its a problem. You cant escape who you are.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Do you help others. I think you totally missed the point of what she was saying.

[@sparklefairymanagement]

1:23❤

[@god563616]

The problem today is the images of black people from black creators in media are either hood drug deal poverty ridden life or high end bourgeois yet rude and cutthroat families as portrayal of the black community. There are blacks who did grow up as middle class and had food to eat, a car, a home and a bank account. My Dad was a senior auditor for an oil company, my mom was a medical transcriptionist to many doctors and hospitals in Texas and we grew up in the suburbs and there is not a race I don't get along with. But to the media every black person grew up with nothing to eat or drink. I don't like that narrative at all.

[@warpnin3]

Exactly. Good news doesn't make the evening news..

[@lonniejolly5882]

Don't care how much money you have they always remind you what your race is.

[@Cheryl-cg8bn]

There you go.

[@parler8698]

Every culture has a middle class. 🙄

[@KoolT]

My deceased husband was born in DC.

[@rell9601]

4:04 😮

[@carolynsteele1465]

All societies form classes, directly or indirectly.

[@chatgptai2748]

So Do most of them get married?

[@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew]

Bugle

[@quix66hiya22]

Wow, I’m Black, middle-class and Harvard-educated, and I’m cringing at some of these people, especially the woman in braids listing her criteria for her prospective partners. Sad.

[@thefrenchfieldnigga8078]

@Quix66 Hiya are u surprised ?

[@leilanirose3274]

Why? Are they supposed to accept thugs, pookies, and Ray rays?

[@rocnnrollbus]

​@@leilanirose3274 that's who they usually end up with tho😮 Regular dudes are done with the whole lot of y'all.

[@leilanirose3274]

@rocnnrollbus It's the fck you want me to give that confuses me. "Regular guys don't want women" BTCH! Sounds like a good time to me! Tf

[@greenbyrd3665]

Quixx66 Hiya, I agree. It is sad and probably unrealistic. The men she is seeking are probably looking for a Becky. If she is looking for a black (American) man, she he is chasing something that may never happen.

[@geoffreyreeves7213]

That house at 5:21 is a joke right?

[@KxqziSyn]

why you say that

[@mr_willwhite8465]

The interesting thing about the single blk women who feel excluded for not meeting J&J standards - most of the time if you run into a college grad blk woman (doesn't matter if makes 50-60k /yr avg /above avg money,) she'll be QUICK to shut out men who she perceives as "not on her level". Ohhhh but when the shoe is on the other foot & THEY are shut out for not meeting a standard, look at the response.....

[@Bahia82]

When they give those men not in their level a chance and they become baby momma or even worst victim of domestic violence Black men like you blame the women and say “she should chosen better”.

[@mr_willwhite8465]

@@Bahia82 contrary to what gynocracy tells you, MAJORITY of avg blk men aren't making women baby mamas (54% of blk men are childless - the MAJORITY) or commit Dom Violence. Theres a large gap between the avg hardworking, respectable, responsible men & pookie/Ray ray. You just don't know that bc most of the baby mama types put "hot boys/ men with swag" ahead of the good avg, steady man. He's "boring" to yall remember

[@Bahia82]

Please BW domestic violence issues are twice the national average. Please stop acting like Hood boys are the only ones causing chaos Michelle Avan was a Bank of America executive who was murdered by her abusive ex boyfriend Dewayne Turner who was college educated, made 6 figures and also was an executive at Bank of America. So stop with the nonsense even the so called “educated lames” are running around killing BW and committing crimes.

[@mr_willwhite8465]

@@Bahia82 again, what you described is the minority case (less than 50%). 80% of ALL women want the top 20% of men. But most of those 80% women are not women of value to top 20% men. What most blk women lack understanding in is top 20% blk men move/evaluate/analyze women far better than the bottom 80% most blk women have access to. The examples you described is proof of this. Top 20% men who also have D.I.M.E. (Discipline,integrity, morals, ethics) aren't the men you described. But bc you dont have regular access to these higher caliber men, you dont think they exist & all you can comment on is the Lower caliber men. As a top 20% man myself, I can tell you directly, we put barriers between us & low caliber women (and most "strong/independent/boss chicks are considered low caliber to us). We avoid them as much as possible. So when you blk women are talking about "I can't find a man on my level", it's bc top rank men have put barriers between you & us. You just don't know what those barriers are & how we do it

[@Bahia82]

That’s irrelevant. low marital rates of Black males & domestic violence rates extends throughout the economic ladder. Educated or not, high income or not those Black males unfortunately carry the same problematic pathology. You see it in the hood dudes and you see it in the “educated lames”. You aren’t avoiding “independent women” you are avoiding commitment & marriage a mindset which explains low marriage rates

[@ladyj9152]

Alot of them are delusional and refuse to do self-reflection. There's a difference between wanting better & believing you are above others. Alot are in denial.

[@tatendamadziba7026]

Epitome is equally good …not everyone speaks American English .

[@mardavananda373]

Agreed. I mispronounced hyperbole when i first met the word. I seem to attract people who mispronounce cacophonous. I used to be judgmental but one of these guys was a ceo of a tech start-up...so, intelligence comes in different ways.

[@cheche5589]

Know plenty of blacks that may not be articulate but have mil+ net worth. You can speak well and be about nothing. You can have money an opt out of superficial associations. Class can be exclusive of income.

[@collinoliver7049]

I think that quote is indicative of how dumb that ideology is. That is absolutely classism.

[@jacklynnmjackson2383]

3:05 Did I just see PLASTIC drinking cups in a set table? Oh dear.

[@Semifinished]

Being a single mom, they excluded me... horrible

[@collinoliver7049]

So great to see openly Marxist content of this vintage.

[@warpnin3]

One of those wordy comments above?