beverleefernandez's review
4.0
To think this started off as me being curious what it really means to be "bougie". Frazier's study, originally published in 1957, still rings true today in some ways. I think the line between "the masses" and the middle class has all but dwindled to a mere couple of dollars. The values of the middle class are supposed to reflect the majority, so...if one doesn't agree, is that a bad or good thing? I think moral beliefs shouldn't be separated into black and white, it should simply be right and wrong. I agree with Frazier's assessment of self employment- in that black people haven't created major corporations, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't run their own business. I thought Frazier's assessment of Christianity and the Black Bourgeoisie raised an interesting point of how religion was presented in a demeaning way during enslavement- in this position because of a curse. Yet most Black people have a strong belief in God regardless of socioeconomic status. The most entertaining passages of the book in my opinion dealt with Frazier's analysis of the lack of culture and common behaviors of the middle class. One has to wonder if personal experience has anything to deal with his harsh criticism- "the decor of their homes reveals the most atrocious and childish tastes. Expensive editions of books are bought for decoration and left unread. The black bourgeoisie, especially the section which forms Negro "society", scarcely ever read books for recreation. Consequently, their conversation is trivial and exhibits a childish view of the world" (p 208). Overall, reading Frazier's study left me not wanting to be a part of the black bourgeoisie. I think I'd rather be true to who I am rather than lose my identity to fit in with a group of lost people.
nattybookz's review
5.0
E. Franklin Frazier leaves no stone unturned.
“I’ve often thought that if Mr. Ostrowski had encouraged me to become a lawyer, I would today probably be among some city’s professional black bourgeoisie, sipping cocktails and palming myself off as a community spokesman for and leader of the suffering black masses, while my primary concern would be to grab a few more crumbs from the groaning board of the two-faced whites with whom they’re begging to “integrate.”
-Malcolm X
From the summary of the book I knew it would be something worth reading. Not sure of what but halfway through I overstood that “if I were bad and boujee, umm I mean black and bourgeoisie I’d be trying to kick his ass too, or encouraging someone else too.” E.Franklin Frazier is relentless in his approach to this phenomenon. Initially I couldn’t tell if he had self-hatred or really trying to inform the masses? Black or white? Wasn’t sure, but he left no stone unturned when he spoke on inferiority and black business. He speaks so much truth, it’s a wonder if this title became the official playbook of the black bourgeoisie because NOTHING has changed.
Not literally NOTHING, well maybe except a few things. Negroes love more than just Cadillacs now and it only takes 5 seconds of any sort of behavior to receive likes and instant gratification. No amount of effort needs to be put into being black bourgeoisie anymore except maybe a social following. I have yet to meet anyone physically who hasn’t exalted themselves with ideas of business or wealth. You see it in all of the “follow the leaders, tv/radio personalities aka salesmen, omg social media revolutionaries (selling shirts, I mean building their BRAND “new same type of bullshit”), ball players, etc.” It’s never nothing serious either except for the CONsumption of something.
This book deserves to be in everyone’s hand because it’s actually a well needed read. We need to be fully aware of what E. Franklin Frazier says in this book so maybe we can actually trod forward. Damn the prestige and the ism’s. I can’t stand someone who equates life to money and presentation.
I’m not even finished with the book and I don’t know if the violent impact that the Black Bourgeoisie brought upon us is spoken about. Since the flashing of red handkerchiefs of the fortunate seems to strike some egotistical nerve in the less fortunate of us. But they are a huge part of this problem. If you want to continue blaming the less fortunate then go ahead but the child learns from it’s OWN family before it learns from anyone else.
Don’t get me wrong we do need some form of ism and maybe that’s just some good ol’ REALISM. We and I mean black folk don’t need to follow anyone down any dim alligator infested alley expecting to be safe on the other side just on the hopes of a brighter future.
“I’ve often thought that if Mr. Ostrowski had encouraged me to become a lawyer, I would today probably be among some city’s professional black bourgeoisie, sipping cocktails and palming myself off as a community spokesman for and leader of the suffering black masses, while my primary concern would be to grab a few more crumbs from the groaning board of the two-faced whites with whom they’re begging to “integrate.”
-Malcolm X
From the summary of the book I knew it would be something worth reading. Not sure of what but halfway through I overstood that “if I were bad and boujee, umm I mean black and bourgeoisie I’d be trying to kick his ass too, or encouraging someone else too.” E.Franklin Frazier is relentless in his approach to this phenomenon. Initially I couldn’t tell if he had self-hatred or really trying to inform the masses? Black or white? Wasn’t sure, but he left no stone unturned when he spoke on inferiority and black business. He speaks so much truth, it’s a wonder if this title became the official playbook of the black bourgeoisie because NOTHING has changed.
Not literally NOTHING, well maybe except a few things. Negroes love more than just Cadillacs now and it only takes 5 seconds of any sort of behavior to receive likes and instant gratification. No amount of effort needs to be put into being black bourgeoisie anymore except maybe a social following. I have yet to meet anyone physically who hasn’t exalted themselves with ideas of business or wealth. You see it in all of the “follow the leaders, tv/radio personalities aka salesmen, omg social media revolutionaries (selling shirts, I mean building their BRAND “new same type of bullshit”), ball players, etc.” It’s never nothing serious either except for the CONsumption of something.
This book deserves to be in everyone’s hand because it’s actually a well needed read. We need to be fully aware of what E. Franklin Frazier says in this book so maybe we can actually trod forward. Damn the prestige and the ism’s. I can’t stand someone who equates life to money and presentation.
I’m not even finished with the book and I don’t know if the violent impact that the Black Bourgeoisie brought upon us is spoken about. Since the flashing of red handkerchiefs of the fortunate seems to strike some egotistical nerve in the less fortunate of us. But they are a huge part of this problem. If you want to continue blaming the less fortunate then go ahead but the child learns from it’s OWN family before it learns from anyone else.
Don’t get me wrong we do need some form of ism and maybe that’s just some good ol’ REALISM. We and I mean black folk don’t need to follow anyone down any dim alligator infested alley expecting to be safe on the other side just on the hopes of a brighter future.
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