Gaining the World, Loosing Our Soul: The Black Middle Class

Ever since the era of George and Weezy, African Americans have had aspirations of "movin on up".  The thought of that "deluxe apartment" gave many blacks in America a glimpse of what the good life entails. It gave us a picture of just how green the grass on the other side truly grows and a belief that despite the oppressive Archy Bunker-esque attitudes of the greater society that we could persevere and make it out.  Perhaps most the important development was the understanding that we as a people are not predestined to live in the ghetto but in fact have control of our own destiny.

As a result we began to envision ourselves experiencing the better side of life. Many pursued education, using this as our ticket to success, with hopes of landing upwardly mobile careers and living the lifestyles of Heathcliff and Claire Huxtable.  This group was able to factor the simple equation that education equals dollars, and dollars subsequently lead to a piece of the American Dream.  I am a part of this population and have found this recipe to be reliable, for the most part.  I stumbled my way through high school, and developed my academic prowess while in college. I have achieved an advance degree, enjoy a professional career, a decent home and several material amenities. This is what has been marketed as "success". But what I've noticed about many of my counterparts in the same position is that we seemed to have neglected a fundamental principle. We seemed to think that graduating into another income bracket would automatically cause our mentality to change.  This, as I have come to see is a fatal error. 

Class is something that cannot be purchased, and perhaps the term "middle class" is somewhat misleading in this regard.  Because you drive an E-Class Benz does not mean that you have developed a sense of tact or couth.  We exist in a dilemma where we have left the 'hood for greener pastures been have taken our 'hood ideologies and behavior along with us.  This is particularly true with regard to our parenting. We are blessed with the ability to give our kids the things we never had, but are NOT instilling the values that would cause them to appreciate the blessing.  We reward mediocrity, forfeit discipline, and reinforce negative norms and yet expect our children to turn out well. It's too the point where being from a middle income household doesn't even give one the head start that it once virtually guaranteed.  Our mentality has superseded our income and in turn diminished our quality of life. So this is it? This is what the Eastside is all about. More money...but more of the same.  I guess we truly are "on our Jefferson's ya'll but we forgot the theme".

If African Americans are truly going to share in the prosperity of this nation, it is going to require a true shedding of destructive allegiances and reshaping of our value system. We must remove ourselves from the delusion that being "higher class" some how makes us "classier".  We have to remember to carry on the traditions that made our communities strong even in the midst of poverty.  We must readjust our moral compass and remember that above and beyond all, we must live lives pleasing to God and manage our families in the same way. We may have a black president and in many ways be in a better position than at any time in recent history. But one thing we cannot neglect is remembering to uphold a standard. The moment we lower the bar, we erase all of the potential benefits of our accomplishments.


-Judah