The role of the Black Middle Class/ Rich in the Black Community

[ogc163]

The Bruce Springsteen/Jay-Z thread had folks throwing around the word "c00n" because of how supposedly Jay-Z does not help out the Black community even though financially I guess people feel he has a obligation to do so. I just started reading Lawrence Otis Graham's "Our Kind of People" and in the book he points out that many wealthy Black folks who are apart of the "Black Elite" would rather help out from a distance but don't really want to interact with poor Black people on a regular basis. He also points to wealthy Black people who just don't give a fukk, who feel that the situation is out of their hands and can't do much about it. My questions are...

Should the Black upper middle class/rich be obligated to help out Black people living in poverty?

How do you feel about wealthy Blacks who are indifferent to the problems in the general Black community?

I'm sure I'll add questions later on...

 

[Sinnerman]

It depends on what you mean by help out. if it means investing in black businesses, or mentoring the youth, college funds etc. then sure. shouldn't be obligated but encouraged

If you mean just straight up giving handouts,

 

[BlvdBrawler]

It depends on what you mean by help out. if it means investing in black businesses, or mentoring the youth, college funds etc. then sure. shouldn't be obligated but encouraged

If you mean just straight up giving handouts,

Pretty much this.

I don't think they should be obligated, but there are a lot of ways that someone in that position could help out the black community w/o going out of their way.

 

[Serious]

If you mean just straight up giving handouts,

There are no free handouts in the real world...

 

[tru_m.a.c]

It depends on what you mean by help out. if it means investing in black businesses

see now I've always had a problem with folks (not you) who say "we need to invest in black businesses"

it sounds like the republican "small businesses" talking point

most blacks don't have a problem "supporting" but we want our support to match the quality of service

or mentoring the youth

most adults find this hard cause they got their own youth to raise....I think adults that can raise kids, hold a job, and mentor should get like a tax deduction or something lol

college funds etc.

probably, problem here is that money to college funds (which jay does) don't get publicized

and then when you publicize it, folks will still judge it and say "well you could give more" or "the money you put up doesn't match the money the individual needed"

 

[Sinnerman]

see now I've always had a problem with folks (not you) who say "we need to invest in black businesses"

it sounds like the republican "small businesses" talking point

most blacks don't have a problem "supporting" but we want our support to match the quality of service



most adults find this hard cause they got their own youth to raise....I think adults that can raise kids, hold a job, and mentor should get like a tax deduction or something lol



probably, problem here is that money to college funds (which jay does) don't get publicized

and then when you publicize it, folks will still judge it and say "well you could give more" or "the money you put up doesn't match the money the individual needed"

These two points are exactly why I think rich/upper middle class blacks(like my father) look at the black community like

can't blame em tbh

 

[Carter G. Hoodson]

Honestly, I don't think they can help our community. At some point, there's a disconnect. They are willing to come out and saying I'm "pro african" but their actions never seem to show that. You can have those that lived among you but will do absolutely everything to discredit you or look down upon you. Besides, they bring in the wrong help. And you know what group I'm talking about. Garvey said it best, they can donate, but they can not be a part of any important role.

 

[ogc163]

These two points are exactly why I think rich/upper middle class blacks(like my father) look at the black community like

can't blame em tbh

lmao

 

[ogc163]

Honestly, I don't think they can help our community. At some point, there's a disconnect. They are willing to come out and saying I'm "pro african" but their actions never seem to show that. You can have those that lived among you but will do absolutely everything to discredit you or look down upon you. Besides, they bring in the wrong help. And you know what group I'm talking about. Garvey said it best, they can donate, but they can not be a part of any important role.

What group are you talking about exactly?

 

[ogc163]

Those High siddity bougie ass redbones 'What?! I look like Carlton Banks" this dude said it with maaaad pride.

 

[ogc163]

Charlie Rose: December 20, 1993 Cornel West, Ellis Cose, Graham among others discuss the Black middle class.

 

[Sinnerman]

CNN PRESENTS BLACK ELITISM BOULE EDITION ( house nikka ) - YouTube Those High siddity bougie ass redbones 'What?! I look like Carlton Banks" this dude said it with maaaad pride.

that was a cool video. "carlton banks"(calling him that cause I don't know his name) seems like a cool ass dude.

 

[ogc163]

that was a cool video. "carlton banks"(calling him that cause I don't know his name) seems like a cool ass dude.

Man I'm trying to find the second part, where a guy calls them out on being elitist. He was tight as hell too.

 

[THEANGEL&THEGAMBLER]

I dont think they have an obligation beyond their family because the question is how exactly should you help. The hood is economically depressed and smart business people dont start high quality business in economically depressed areas. If I were to start a high quality school in the hood for residents who is gonna pay for it? Look at Derrick Coleman he started that Black mall in Detroit to try and revive the hood economically and ended up bankrupt after career in which he earned over 100 million bucks.

 

[you're NOT "n!ggas"]

i know it won't happen but what i truly, sincerely wish is that more black middle class people would MOVE to the hood and give the rest more hope... give somebody in the neighborhood to look up to. let them SEE peers with the same skin color and diff aspirations so i aint automatically pegged as bein "white". the main reason that shyt happens is cuz of its such a disconnect. how could we you ever expect different when there's rarely a concrete example...

my moma was a teacher. i don't think we was doin it like that at all but i guess you could say we were middle class. i just graduated college this saturday and while i'm lookin for jobs, i'm REALLY hopin i get this 1 year full time volunteer opportunity in god knows where cuz they got the program in so many cities except for my own. after that i wanna teach and LIVE in the hood. be an active/recognized part of it... it takes alot of sacrifice, but honestly thats the kinda attitude i think is needed alot more... i just wish more were willin to commit.