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The Bourgie Blues
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Posted By:
citizen477 at 09/04/2008 5:00:40 PM
Comment:
Another poster claims to not understand the need to "live black". I don't understand how the poster doesn't understand that. Almost every country on this planet has ethnic groups that stick together, but just as easily interact with other groups when that needs to happen. What's wrong with that? Here, in Miami, I live in predominantly Black Miami Gardens. I'm not wealthy. I'm just a single, 30-somethin' with a regular 9-5', but compared to some of my neighbors, I have some financial freedom to live in so-called "better" neighborhoods like Aventura, Coral Gables and so on, but you know what? Why would I? My neighborhood's safe, the rent's inexpensive, and shopping for organic foods and patronizing all sorts of good restaurants and so on are quite within reach. I feel more comfortable being around Black folk from the diaspora. Sometimes little things get on my nerves, but I suspect that that would be the same eslewhere, but just a diffrent "little things". -
Posted By:
kreicken at 02/22/2008 11:18:20 PM
Comment:
This sentence doesn't make sense:
Could this be a source of the frisson making intelligent conversation about class-based distinctions among black folks so awkward and uncomfortable?
Frisson means "thrill," or "pleasurable shudder." Try inserting either of those locutions and then see what sort of flapdoodle's in your bucket. -
Posted By:
kreicken at 02/22/2008 11:16:41 PM
Comment:
This sentence doesn't make sense:
Could this be a source of the frisson making intelligent conversation about class-based distinctions among black folks so awkward and uncomfortable?
Frisson means "thrill" or "pleasurable shudder." Try inserting that locution in its place and see what sort of flapdoodle's in your bucket. -
Posted By:
Datdamwuf at 02/19/2008 7:10:45 PM
Comment:
I don't understand this need to "live black", I would like to get it. I am italian/jewish descent and grew up with the Italian side of the family. I've lived all over the US, at times in predominately black neighborhoods, one of those times was in Wash DC. Once I lived in Little Italy in Baltimore, on the west coast a Chinatown, etc. I have enjoyed cultural differences everywhere I've lived. I've also been just as happy in neighborhoods that are mixed. My family never really paid attention to the race of the people when looking for a place to live, we looked for a home that we liked, and I always found walking my dog helped me make friends :). Whether it was an apartment or a house changed depending on our ability to pay of course.
I have found that people are people, there are good and bad of all races and religions. I wonder if you will be doing an article about "living white" or "living italian" or "living pakistani" or "living hispanic".
I also wonder what my neighbor, who is Iraqi , would think of this article. He is so sweet and so happy to be in America where, he tells me: everyone can be together and treat each other with respect. His overwhelming wonder is that he can grow any food he likes here and share it with his friends. There are only a few black families in my current neighborhood, I didn't know who lived here when I bought my house, I just liked the trees and wildlife and that there was no HOA. I wonder now if it's because it is "too white"? -
Posted By:
Datdamwuf at 02/19/2008 7:06:27 PM
Comment:
I don't understand this need to "live black", I would like to get it. I am italian/jewish descent and grew up with the Italian side of the family. I've lived all over the US, at times in predominately black neighborhoods, one of those times was in Wash DC. Once I lived in Little Italy in Baltimore, on the west coast a Chinatown, etc. I have enjoyed cultural differences everywhere I've lived. I've also been just as happy in neighborhoods that are mixed. My family never really paid attention to the race of the people when looking for a place to live, we looked for a home that we liked, and I always found walking my dog helped me make friends :). Whether it was an apartment or a house changed depending on our ability to pay of course.
I have found that people are people, there are good and bad of all races and religions. I wonder if you will be doing an article about "living white" or "living italian" or "living pakistani" or "living hispanic".
I also wonder what my neighbor, who is Iraqi , would think of this article. He is so sweet and so happy to be in America where, he tells me: everyone can be together and treat each other with respect. His overwhelming wonder is that he can grow any food he likes here and share it with his friends. There are only a few black families in my current neighborhood, I didn't know who lived here when I bought my house, I just liked the trees and wildlife and that there was no HOA. I wonder now if it's because it is "too white"? -
Posted By:
lifetithe at 02/19/2008 4:09:51 PM
Comment:
This is a good article and I will be sure to check out the book. I am a product of the "bourgeois" upper middle class black family (if thats what were calling it, lol) my parents both HBCU educated, professional individuals raised us in a 50-50 suburb because there was no all-black community in West Michigan similar to those in the culture-rich DMV which happens to be my current residence. They made sure to expose us to black culture at all times whether it was a greek fashionetta or a block party in neighboring community. They also went above and beyond to expose us to predominately white actvities and events. My father always said we should have to be able to stand our own whether were together or just one among a sea of caucasions. Every program, camp, arts, technology, music, sports thingy, we were exposed to. In addition he also raised us to interact with the world beyond our window across racial and socio-economic lines, "you need street smarts too," he would often dish. I attended a state school for undergrad and finished grad at an HBCU for exposure (my sister did the reverse). I think exposing your family to all types of cultures is the best ideal. Sometimes I feel as if the DMV is some type of bubble or there's 2 different DC's, gorgeous Prince Georges', and Virginia's. If the neighborhood is limited make it work for your family. As a professional who speaks and trains all people I thank god for my upbringing and the neighborhood kids and being exposed to cousin Kisha's world as well as Laura's. -
Posted By:
PHX at 02/18/2008 6:01:15 PM
Comment:
I would love for my kids to know other "well-off" blacks, but its much more important that my children know all-around, good people regardless of their race. I myself tried too hard to keep it real by dealing maintaining unhealthy relationships mainly because of race. I don't plan to pass that thought process on to my children. -
Posted By:
blessinggirl at 02/14/2008 11:22:49 PM
Comment:
Excuse me, but I find this supposed angst emblematic of American self-absorption. First of all, the term "bourgeois" has disappeared with the advent of multimillion dollar rappers, WalMart and multiculturalism. Secondly, let's all agree that these families are not wringing their hands, really, about "blackness." Although the parents may be professionals, don't tell me they do not face foolishness due to their race in the workplace. Having raised my girls to adulthood, I am proud that they can speak standard English, put their children first and have no fear of white people. That's the best one can hope for, whether one lives in a white neighborhood, a black middle class enclave or the 'hood.
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