A review by beverleefernandez
Black Bourgeoisie by Franklin Frazier

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.