The black middle class in America (1865- ) is made up of those black families who own their own homes. Some say it is made up of those who have a university degree or own a small business. For the most part it comes down to the same thing.
About half of all black Americans are now middle class.
Because so many poor blacks live at the doorstep of the American media machine, in New York and Los Angeles, many whites have this picture of blacks as being mainly poor. They would be in utter shock if they drove through some of the all-black middle class suburbs of, say, New York or Atlanta.
It is a part of America you rarely see on television or in films, yet it is one of the most notable changes that has taken place in the country in the past 50 years.
There has been a black middle class since at least the 1860s when the slaves were freed. Most blacks were poor back then but they still needed undertakers and barbers, ministers and teachers.
The black middle class was small until the 1960s. After that it started to grow. By the 1980s it had come into its own: “The Cosby Show”, Anita Baker, Terry McMillan and so on. Even Run DMC and LL Cool J, if the truth be told.
A married black couple with university educations makes almost as much money as their white counterparts. But compared to whites they have little money saved – many live paycheck to paycheck – and their houses are not worth as much.
Their houses are worth less for two reasons:
- They tend to live in older, but still nice, houses closer to the centre of the city.
- A house in a white neighbourhood is worth more than the very same house in a mixed or black neighbourhood.
Most whites live in places where there are only a few black families. If too many blacks start moving into their neighbourhood, whites start moving out in increasing numbers. After a point only the old people are white while almost all the children are black. In time the whole neighbourhood becomes black.
Most whites do not want to live near too many blacks, even middle class ones. Among other things, they see them as bringing in crime and lowering the value of their homes.
A common idea is that the black middle class has sold out, that they are acting white, that they are not black enough. That is what the hopelessly square Carlton in the television show “Fresh Prince” is all about.
A sad fact: For every 100 black women who have a university degree, only 70 black men do. That means nearly 30% of them will never marry: most men are not willing to marry a woman who makes more money than they do and most white men are not willing to marry a black woman, who will give them black babies.
See also:
- Interview with Mary Pattillo – she is one of the leading sociologists who studies the black middle-class
- Race in America
- How white people think
- The welfare queen stereotype
- sundown towns
- mutual assimilation
- white flight
- Growing up black and middle-class:
Abagond 
The Black middle class deserves recognition. For decades, this class was ignored by the powers that be. Or, the powers that be may be so jealous of Black success that they either minimize or try to destroy such success through mobs(think Tulsa in 1920).
What say you?
Steph
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I think that most people’s ideas about the world change little after age 30. That means the people at the top of society, who are mainly in their 60s, think it is about 1973, give or take five years. It is not a question of minimizing it: they have no idea how large the black middle class is to begin with.
With Obama in the spotlight that may change. I could see Time magazine doing a cover story on this some time in the summer. I am expecting an email from them any day now (haha).
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great blog. I grew up in the middle class with no media representation. But I was still fly anyway. . .and always will be. Keep on keeping on.
W
P.S. Can I add you to my blog roll?
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I agree with you the SOME white or non-black men do not want to marry black women, but many want to and do marry black women. Many…
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Well, some white men in North America will marry black, I agree (I am not blind), but I think most, meaning more than half of them, will not.
Some think black women are not good looking,
some think they are too hard to get along with,
some do not want to go against their family’s wishes and
some do not want black children.
I think I am on safe ground when I say that all these somes add up to more than half of all white men.
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Yes, by all means, add me to your blog roll!
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“Most whites live in places where there are only a few black families.”
WELL? MOST BLACKS LIVE IN PLACES WHERE THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WHITE FAMILIES.
“Most whites do not want to live near too many blacks, even middle class ones.”
WELL? MOST BLACKS DO NOT WANT TO LIVE NEAR TOO MANY WHITES…
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You must be white.
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“You must be white.”
Period.
lmfao!!!
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Great post. I can always trust you to come through, it seems….
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Some think black women are not good looking,
some think they are too hard to get along with,
some do not want to go against their family’s wishes and
some do not want black children.
I think I am on safe ground when I say that all these somes add up to more than half of all white men.
Yes, dear. Yes you are. But heaven forbid one actually point these things out.
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Hi, I’m a white guy which I’m sure puts me at a disadvantage on your site. I can’t wait to see the responses. I’ve date a lot of women black and white and inbetween meaning a lot of other races. I do agree that family exerts a lot of influence on choices to marry and that’s from all races that are different. I think it is tough on the kids and the parents need to be prepared for that and realize it may cause problems with acceptance by society. On another side, I’ve been turned off when some of the women I’ve dated felt uncomfortable with me as a white guy interacting with their friends and wanted me to be ‘mo black’ or in other words more ‘manly’ like a lot of macho males do but I think more so in black and hispanic cultures. I feel that I’m tough in my own way and that I don’t have to go around with tattoes and backwards baseball caps spouting endless opinions to prove it. I think that would be like me telling the woman I love to dye her hair blonde when it was black because I thought it would look prettier around my white friends. Anyway, no matter what culture, I will say that if any woman comes off with the bossy ‘take it or leave it’ without giving a guy a chance for fear of rejection than they’ve already lost it with me. Its about respect on both sides even though there’s a lot of room for romance. Just leave the attitude halle berry stuff at home.
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WTF is “Halle Berry attitude stuff”?!?
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Mira, I’m wondering the same thing.
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You all sure don’t keep up with the news and her hair trigger remarks when she sees someone as ‘having a racial moment’- a BBC DJ , but she doesn’t mind dishing out the anti semitic humor about the ‘big nose’ jewish friend on jay leno. That’s minor slights but it shows that anyone has this underlying stuff that can pop up as she is so quick to lay the stuff on someone else. That’s WTF. So now that you know I’m sure you will feel free to look it up on the web and see that poor little halle is not so slighted. Its the respect thing again I’m talking about here and not every battle is worth the war. That’s why I say its hard for interracial marriages because folks want to play dumb and not give respect and call things for what they are by action and not by preconceived notions and give others a hard time. Anyone can be a racist just as anyone can change but no one walks on water. The interracial couples face a lot of folks who aren’t into respect.
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Anyone can be a racist just as anyone can change but no one walks on water.
Tiger Woods walks on water. I’ve seen a video of it.
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Hi, I’m a white guy which I’m sure puts me at a disadvantage on your site. I can’t wait to see the responses.
How so? How do we know you’re white? You can’t wait to see the responses, well neither can I!
On another side, I’ve been turned off when some of the women I’ve dated felt uncomfortable with me as a white guy interacting with their friends and wanted me to be ‘mo black’ or in other words more ‘manly’ like a lot of macho males do but I think more so in black and hispanic cultures.
Don’t date women who feel uncomfortable with you whilst out in public! Sheesh. I love manly men! what’s wrong with manly men, you got something against them?
I feel that I’m tough in my own way and that I don’t have to go around with tattoes and backwards baseball caps spouting endless opinions to prove it
You love to stereotype others eh? There are a lot of manly men out there who do not fit that stereotype. All they have to do is stand still and look stupid and women flock to them. Perhaps you should apply this strategy!
I think that would be like me telling the woman I love to dye her hair blonde when it was black because I thought it would look prettier around my white friends.
Women will dye their hair however they like. They will just find another man if the one they are with doesn't like it!
Anyway, no matter what culture, I will say that if any woman comes off with the bossy ‘take it or leave it’ without giving a guy a chance for fear of rejection than they’ve already lost it with me.
In other words, if they do not stroke your almost non-existant ego and behave submissively, than you don’t want them.
You all sure don’t keep up with the news and her hair trigger remarks when she sees someone as ‘having a racial moment’-
I read the National Inquirer so I wouldn’t know about that.
So now that you know I’m sure you will feel free to look it up on the web and see that poor little halle is not so slighted.
Nope, I would prefer to shop for handbags on the web. Hey, do you know where I can get a deal on Tano handbags?
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black woman telling their white boyfriends to act more black doesn’t seem like it would be a common thing.
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I like my white men to be white. Thanks.
And I don’t know what “be mo’ black” means. And why it would involve tattoos (which I generally don’t like).
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Come on?
White neighbourhoods and black neighbourhoods? I don’t know what they call it in America, but that’s segregation.
It’s not the 1800’s!
Really, I mean why can’t a black guy date a white girl? It’s skin colour for crying out loud! I’ve seen American media and not many stereotype black people as being disadvantaged and homeless because of the negative reviews they would get.
“Most men are not willing to marry a woman who makes more money than they do and most white men are not willing to marry a black woman, who will give them black babies.”
Ok. What the hell? So now we’re just bringing back sexism too?
Come on, grow up and start living in the 2000’s. Nobody cares if you’re black or white or green.
No offense to people off to go Ku-Klux-Klan’ing but discrimination is ridiculous and childish.
And worse, it’s boring.
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i swear this race and class issue leaves no one blameless, i grew up in gary, ind, and saw full well how realtors treated my dad when he was to buy a home,til they saw how much he made from his job at uss(tin mill). boy how they changed their tune.as for white men and black women, it’s picking up fast here, i live in minnesota and have heard black men say they don’t want us and how white females are so much better and will do more for them to meet their needs and look better to their folks and friends. okay, more power to both.my take on it is this, no matter how much money you have, what race you are, who you’re with,where you live,job and schooling,too, there’s always to be someone in your midst that gets issues on you,shake off the haters and live your life to the hilt because at the real of it all our lives and experiences are all we have.
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The problem with underrepresentation of middle class blacks in America, in my opinion, focuses on the lack of developmental networks within our communities to help rise some of the impoverished black neighborhoods. How can you truly break the chain when so many of our own are left behind, and those that have successfully improved their economic standing fail to build on that triumph that should extend to those that so desperately need to see these positive examples. Networking and mobilizing is the key failures that have led to the failed movements since the Civil Rights era. To the change the system, you have to learn to play the system, by working together. Any ideas on this please feel free to respond.
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@ Roger,
Perhaps a series of blogs/bulletin boards that are set up for networking: business investment opportunities, jobs, education, training, housing, mentoring or whatever information that might be uplifting or helpful to whomever in need.
If we can somehow get past our issues of trust, people not committed to keeping their word, jealousy, competitiveness (as opposed to cooperation) and self-hate, and stop doing everything the way “others” do them (because that’s the way its always been done) Black folks could thrive like never before.
Another idea: a series of gatherings similar in principle and the spirit of the million man march/gathering – but on a smaller scale. Instead of gathering in only one location, interested parties could come together as a community where ever we – in whatever city or town – all across America to share resources, information, and whatever …
“Networking and mobilizing is the key failures that have led to the failed movements since the Civil Rights era.”
The local black church was an integral component in many aspects of black life prior to and during the civil rights movement. Especially mobilizing .. Today, not so much.
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“Well, some white men in North America will marry black, I agree (I am not blind), but I think most, meaning more than half of them, will not.”
Even if only 30 percent of White men would marry Black women, that would entail all the available Black women, even ones that don’t want a White man.
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I am a long-standing member of the black middle class. Both sides of my family were middle class going way back to the 1800s. My great, great grandfather was a minister, my uncle marched with Dr. King, I think it’s interesting that a lot of people don’t understand that we exist – even black folks – and have forever. When I hear people talking about sell outs and authentic blackness they seem to be alluding to the belief that most blacks are part of the underclass. However, the truth is blacks have always existed in every strata of American society: poor, middle class, upper class.
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It’s an exaggeration to say 30% won’t marry. Someone isn’t set to marry someone of their ethnicity by default
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Most women aren’t willing to marry a man that makes less or is below them in some perceived value, why are you framing it as an issue of male insecurity?
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@ Roger
Here’s an interesting NYT editorial from the author of Race Without Racism that backs up your point:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/how-social-networks-drive-black-unemployment/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
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This reminds me of when the Cosby show was first introduced white America could not conceive of this idea of a black middle class professional family verses the poor black family that lived in the ghetto. Yes black middle class families have always existed.
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Mary Burrell:
This reminds me of when the Cosby show was first introduced white America could not conceive of this idea of a black middle class professional family…
Really? Then why was the show so popular and long-running?
I’d bet that whites were more accepting of the Hollywood version of a happy black home than blacks were.
Meanwhile, the show was a derivative of the Donna Reed Show, with shades of Leave It To Beaver.
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To Mary Burrell:
This reminds me of when the Cosby show was first introduced white America could not conceive of this idea of a black middle class professional family verses the poor black family that lived in the ghetto..
Denzel Washington appeared as a regular cast member on St. Elsewhere as Dr Philip Chandler in 1982, two years before the Cosby show.
When the Cosby show debuted in 1984 the Jeffersons had already been on for 9 years:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072519/
Previous to the Jeffersons..was Room 222 which ran from 1969 – 1974, although it didn’t focus on family life it did have non token black middle class characters.
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Must agree that the Cosby show was not the first time that the concept of black middle class was introduced to white America. If the other images had not been introduced in the 10-15 years prior, the Cosby show would not have made sense to them.
But, having said that, I think it is still difficult today in the 2010s for most white Americans to conceive of black Middle class as the norm for black Americans. There are 10 images of black ghetto for every one of middle class in their minds.
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I don’t think Blacks had any problem accepting a “happy Black home”. But I do remember that even some Black entertainment commentators and journalists fell into the trap of supposing that it was “unrealistic” for a Black doctor to marry a Black lawyer and have a two-professional family
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To Jefe:
But, having said that, I think it is still difficult today in the 2010s for most white Americans to conceive of black Middle class as the norm for black Americans. There are 10 images of black ghetto for every one of middle class in their minds.
10 to 1, really, why do you say this..? I can’t probe into the minds of US whites but the majority of images in movies and TV of blacks are of middle class to wealthy blacks. In any city with a black population beyond a few percent you will find black US postal workers, city employees, grocery store worker, etc… your average white person is much more likely to interact with the former than so called blacks from a “ghetto”. Also many US whites from rural areas where there are few blacks go into the US military where basically by definition the large majority of blacks are middle class.
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Stereotypes die hard. When I’ve shared various experiences with colleagues they seemed shock that I too did the same things they had (ie vacation every summer, visited abroad etc)
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UM, I don’t know what the ratio actually is (maybe a study has been done?), but even if the images in contemporary movies and TV are not quite as distorted as they were 30-40 years ago, they are still distorted in the minds of most whites because
– many of them GREW UP 30-50 years ago with those distorted images, which were taught and reinforced by parents who grew up 25-30 years before they did during segregation
– whites who grew up within the past 30 years still live in majority white neighborhoods and even if they see some images of middle-class blacks in the popular media, they are taught stereotypes from their parents and their school textbooks.
– the NEWS – this comes out every day. They focus on crime in black ghettos.
– that black interaction you mention is mostly “prop” interaction, eg, interaction with a city govt office clerk. Does the white person really have a chance to learn what black middle class life is all about?
Even if images in the movies is 50/50, the images taught to whites growing up is definitely not 50/50. And I think it might not get better if they start to focus the marketing of movies overseas. Blacks in those films will have to be relegated to minor stereotypical images as those movies are not meant to be psychologically provocative.
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To Jefe:
UM, I don’t know what the ratio actually is (maybe a study has been done?), but even if the images in contemporary movies and TV are not quite as distorted as they were 30-40 years ago, they are still distorted in the minds of most whites because whites who grew up within the past 30 years still live in majority white neighborhoods and even if they see some images of middle-class blacks in the popular media, they are taught stereotypes from their parents and their school textbooks.
I am 52 and I never had the impression that the rate of the white middle class was 10 times the rate of the black middle class nor was this even a discussion among my peer group, What stereotypes about blacks (in regards to poverty vs middle class status) did textbooks teach 30 years ago..? Can you give a citation..?
For decades the US press has sold the the idea that the majority of Americans were middle class. Running counter to your thesis according to a survey in 2011 the majority of (59%) whites thought that blacks made about the same amount of money as whites:
“More than two-thirds of black people surveyed (67%) believed that black people in general make less money than whites. But the majority of whites (59%) believed that they made about the same.”
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/12/perceptions-of-discrimination-a-black-and-white-story/comment-page-1/
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My parent’s house:
Beyond the culdesac sits my parents’ house
It is like any other with bricks reaching great heights
And yet, something different always separates it
From the White seamstress who could not fathom a woman so Black having such a home
Who castigated my mother for not telling her that we live in such a neighborhood, world
faulting her for her White decision to charge my mother less than, treat her as less than
To the supposed White friend who kept looking back as we rode our bikes past my parents’ house
That “friend” who made a constant reminder to see me as uppity
Uppity, because I was not like “those” other Blacks
And even to my sister’s Black boyfriend
Who would serve as a constant reminder of the life never shown on television
The life that I did not know would separate me from other Black people
the life that would lead me to walk on eggshells each time race discussions perfume the air
To be “accepted” but reminded that I am Black
to be denied a say in discussions about race on the basis that “I have made it. Move on!”
my non-poor, Black experience in America
The White experience is that of which is shrouded in sociopathy. Claims that you need to get ahead like everyone else are regurgitated left and right. By doing so, they deny the racism experienced by me, my mother, my father, my brothers, and my sisters. They deny me but claim that I am good to go because I am “other Black”. Do better they say, but my father still carries the stain of their treatment of him and my mother has learned to accept the racism spewed at her, but why should I? Why should I allow them to insult my race? Why should I allow them to scream about the 13%? Why should I allow them to create ahistorical fallacies about the Black experience in America? Why should I listen to Black on White crime claims when the denial of centuries of Black bodies stampeded upon until 1968, being reduced to tree like figurines, is sensationalized as showing little suffering? Why should I allow them to tell me to move on when they stereotype me? I was sassy when I called you out but an oreo when I tried to accept it. Why should I allow White liberals to brand us as poor, defenseless Negros, to mock us like Harriet Beecher Stowe? Why should I allow White conservatives to make a mockery of the toil that my grandmother endured during Jim Crow, to subvert it with denial upon denial about her misfortunes? Why should I allow them to debase my uncle’s beatings every single day by White people when the law mandated that Black children are allowed to attend? Why should I endure spews of Black on Black crime when the bodies that fall to fit their narrative do not matter to them? Why should I allow them to use Black men’s murders for the modern day lynching postcards, with clicks of submission, sending them to their friends and families, the death of Black men, women, and children? Why should I accept White people denying my voice because I am not from “the hood”? Why should I have to listen to them claim Blackness when they have 2% African DNA, because of those “White passers” they make them, my cousins, uncles, and aunts who sent letters to us without return addresses? Why should I? Really, why should I? How do you take care of a wound so deep? To White people, you put a band-aid on. You cover it up and do not look back. But did you stop and think why the wound was not cleaned when you deny racism? Did you stop and think that you cannot remove centuries of trauma by pretending not to be racist? But what can I expect from a sociopath? Just trauma, that is all.
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