Black Middle Class - Conversations from Penn State

[distractionxx]

you have some great stuff here

[MusicandRitual]

It's not really scholarship, and this has become a practical disease within the academy over the past 40 years. Sociology had become a playpen for social activists. There are, for all practical purposes, no sociologists within the academy that are not overtly Progressive (read regressive) Liberal activists- exactly what she admitted she was. She would never have received tenure if she had strayed from the party line. Of that we can be certain.

[m015094]

This lady says that middle class blacks are living in areas of more poverty than poor whites.

That does not make logical sense.

[lordblazer]

@m015094

it kind of makes sense. a lot of black people who earn their degrees sometimes move back to their old area if their family owns the home. usually doing this can change the income demographic of an area. But also she is neglecting to mention that there are black middle class areas.

[lordblazer]

@m015094

also I am black and middle class, grew up middle class. Lived in all black area for a portion of my life, other parts I've lived in other countries. I've lived in other states in the US on military bases(military one of the most egalitarian institutions in the US very tolerant, they do not tolerate racism). Anyway its interesting to see because the middle class of blacks is largely ignored. Even my experience people simply think its unusual despite how common it actually.

[lordblazer]

@m015094

also I am black and middle class, grew up middle class. Lived in all black area for a portion of my life, other parts I've lived in other countries. I've lived in other states in the US on military bases(military one of the most egalitarian institutions in the US very tolerant, they do not tolerate racism). Anyway its interesting to see because the middle class of blacks is largely ignored. Even my experience people simply think its unusual despite how common it actually.

[WaywardWinds]

Wonderful conversation. 

[askar4kill]

She looks mixed with something

[fred5399]

@askar4kill As are most African Americans.

[davisismail1comcast]

What I find incredible, disturbing, lopsided, and funny about all of this conversations is that once again that some how there is this notion of a perfect homogenous white aesthetic value, which other groups should subscribe to. As a African American Im sick and tired of this facade. simply put I aspire to have a better life period based on our own aesthetic, NOT to emulate some MIRAGE of a perfect white social, and cultural order based on money and white curriculums.

[lovelynann]

everyone have it wrong in my opinion . just because a person or a family have less or work a job that somebody has to do dont make them less worthy than the next, everyone cant go to college everyone can not make the grade for college some do have to work 2 job just to live , however in this contry everyone believe that if you don't have a degree you should be pay a less wage and your worth is less,also there are poor who don't break the law but are treated with less value this mind set is wrong

[b1ueocean]

I loved listening to this lady - an impressive gallery of thought. Just to think - i inadvertently happened on this video.

[CarlaMills]

Thank you Mary !!!!!

[Thedarksecret1]

Yeah, every time the media covers anything about black people it's always lower class inner city blacks. They fail to cover the whole spectrum.

[doshiaman1]

IM NOT TOO SURE middle black class even cares about the lower level. Lets look at the reality, middle class across the street does not help improve poor schools, they send there kids to suburban schools. Middle class does not fight for improvement of ghetto life they just move out of sight out of mind. Lets stop pretending poor black america is treated like more then a 3rd world country. Stop. There are two Americas. poor america and rich america and middle class is but a fading transition

[emomagica]

@doshiaman1 Why would someone want to send their child to a bad school, and stay in a bad neighborhood? Why do poor black people always think that it is someone else's job to improve their lives? The black middle class is doing the right thing: Grab more money, move to a safer area, and send your kids to schools where the teachers can spend more time teaching than discipling children.

[justicecarly]

@thelizturner This video is very informative, America is still a very racist country that STILL refuse o acknowledge any and all achivements made by blacks and have been doing this for the last 400 years since slavry, which only ended 145 years ago. Blacks are only seen in a negative light. White America will NEVER truly acknowledge any truths that are associated with the positive side to BLACK PEOPLE!

[GeneralRdot09]

Good video

[firemarshall007]

the black middle class doesnt really exist because theres still gangs in well-to-do black neighborhoods...nobody wants to talk about

[21centuryg]

How does that prevent it from not existing? There are serial killers, child molesters, and drug dealers in white middle class neighborhoods. Does that make them any less middle class? I live in a black middle class neighborhood, and I've yet to see any gangs.

[firemarshall007]

how old r u? if u were young ud see them

[21centuryg]

I'm 19 and have been living in my neighborhood since I was 15. I've yet to see any gangs. All I see are 11 and 12 year olds riding bikes and playing football. I'm not saying this is the case for all black middle class neighborhoods. I know there are many that unfortunately do have gang activity. I'm just lucky mind's doesn't.

[firemarshall007]

its a sickness in many, affluent young  black males imitate the poor ones

[21centuryg]

I agree. This is something I have seen before at my high school and sometimes at my university. I have no idea what their parents are teaching them. One thing I do ask is do you think this is something they will grow out of? It is just a teenage thing?

[wierdogirl9]

46:52 48:40 49:40

[Aprinsa]

Wow! I grew up in a white community and would love to show this to some people from high school who think race isn't an issue!!

[LifeLibertyLove]

@Aprinsa Everyone gets picked on for how they look, this idea of white verses black is bullshit. I have seen people made fun of consistently for being Polish, Italian, German, Jewish all of these things being white, I have seen blacks made fun of by other blacks for using words actually from a dictionary and they made fun of them calling them white(the black people) so this idea that it is black verses white is bullshit. It is stupid people verses smart people.

[thelizturner]

I would love to study under her. Definitely going to read her book. Very knowledgeable.

[aminah61]

Quite informative with the introduction of Dr. Pattillo and her work utilizing this venue. Shall order two of her books as a result of this interview. Thank you.

[shenose123]

excellent interview