Scan barcode
ralowe's review
5.0
i was always on my guard the whole time i was reading this. perhaps frazier might not be interrogating his fundamental internalized racism as much as i imagine myself to be, but his bigger point in the grand scheme come incredibly close to my own. maybe his writing is just an example of how critical black study in public discourse invokes an awkward interiority that unseemly blurs subject/object. just go with it. the alternative ain't appealing, and is the primary (a)social problem. but he doesn't seem to be going that deep into psychical master-slave dialectics, and i think i might have only hallucinated a gesture to psychoanalysis early in. he nails the biggest obstacle facing blackness in the political realm-- the inability for the existing order to ever establish a black subject. that subject that is somehow a product of history as well as an agent unhindered to play and compete in the democratic sphere is wholly a myth. rappers on tv. yet this maddening game, its cruel optimism, are desperate claims for internal coherence. frazier goes over how these protestant thrivings were programmed in the crucible of slavery and i know that when i finished this book i need to go back and get through to the end of dubois' 'black reconstruction.' god, the set-up. saidiya hartman's 'scenes of subjection' captures so well the life built to fail. dreams of success under a state of terror. can we blame ourselves? and the impossible necessity that this myth be dispelled.
thesterlingstudy's review
4.0
This book is an in depth look of the Black Bourgeoisie aka the Middle Class that is still relevant in today’s age. I found myself, re-reading some of the texts along with making notes in the book. Some of the content may interested you in further research but the author tries to give you enough context to get the concept of what he is writing about. I liked how this is more of an analysis than a book telling others what to do to break out of this mindset. Many current books today do this but, it’s all on the advice of a single person that may have been a position of privilege.
At the same time, I believe the author is also taking a look within himself since he is one of the Black Bourgeoisie by his standards. He was a Professor and Chairman at Howard University, and a President of two national association.
At the same time, I believe the author is also taking a look within himself since he is one of the Black Bourgeoisie by his standards. He was a Professor and Chairman at Howard University, and a President of two national association.
brooksdac's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
The book gave great context on the beginning of black society in culture, specifically focused on the upper and middle class.
mrpointy's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book provided a well rounded history and background to the ideals of the black bourgeois. I think this book is essential reading when it comes to understanding black history and the current misconceptions around black business and the black middle class. My only complaint is the lack of women mentioned in the book outside of their relationships as wives and mothers. The few women the author found to be of notes where seldom mentioned by name.
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.
More...