Affluent and wealthy Black Americans?

Question

I grew up in DC and i lived in South Carolina, PG county MD, and Miami Fl. I currently reside in Northern VA. Anyways, I always went to many private schools when I was younger. I had gotten a lot of scholarships and my uncle had gave my parents a grant so I could get into more private schools. I'm not wealthy at all, both of my parents are lower middle classish. I went to school with a lot of wealthy Black children. Many of them shunned me and treated me like I was nothing and they made fun of the way I talked and said that I was "ghettofied" lol. Anyways, I started to go into public schools in the 6th grade and I had gotten the same treatment they would call me "bougy" or "white" and they made fun of me because I would always do well in school. It's getting a lot better as I get older. But everywhere i go, wearther it's with wealthy Black people or not so wealthy Black people i feel like an outsider. Has anyone else gone through the same thing?

I'm so that i found friends that went through the smae things as me here in alexandria, va

Answer 1

HEY! I live in Prince George's County Md!!! Bowie, MD

I have gone through the same thing with blacks at predominately white schools in Boston, MA (how ironic huh?) I was accused of talking like a white girl (I speak normal now) I use to come home from school crying my eyes out. its all behind me now

Answer 2

I have! My family is not wealthy by any means--probably middle middle class. I grew up in a suburban area with mostly white people. Thankfully, the community there was awesome and I never grew up feeling "different" because I was black. When I'd go visit my family in the city, however, I definitely got treated differently. People would say I talked funny just because I speak clearly and am well-educated. I joined the military after high school and I even got it there--people would say I was "acting white."

Don't feel like you're alone. All I can say is to keep living your life. The people who ostracize you for those stupid, idiotic reasons are probably insecure with some aspect of themselves. Just know who you are. Because whether you're "bougie" or not...you will always be Black. Nobody can change that. Stay confident in yourself and nobody can touch you.

Answer 3

Yeah, my mother and father always taught me to talk properly and that I have to work my hardest at everything I do because I am poor but my mother finances so well that I look upper middle classish but I always spoke properly and never used a word I couldn't spell because of this I am often called a nerd and my friends aren't popular but they are trustworthy and that's what really counts. Anyway now two of the girls that teased me about being smart both have children and one hasn't even graduated yet! I used to be friends with some popular kids but I was suspicious about them and I had a right to be my closest friends told me they had spread rumors and talked about me behind my back so after that I act like I never found out but they aren't my friends anymore. Truthfuly I think its just ideology of black people " that other black people have to be ghetto which is just not true but that's how they think.In reality I guess you could say they don't know any better but beyond what they are exposed to i.e. media portrayals of blacks and other stereotypical images some what derived from "Birth of A Nation" like the slaves only knowing what the master tells them also the more ghetto kids seem to hate "We Got to do better" because it shows a negative portrayal of blacks but at the same it is supposed too encourage us to do better. Thus, the name. Its all about what you're exposed to in your life . I for example will be the 3rd or 4th of my family of 4 to graduate high school if I complete the next 3 years and I say 4th or 3rd because my brother and I are twins. My mother always taught me right and supported me no matter what so my plan is to when I grow up I want to buy her all the things she ever wanted , and I'll be a daughter my father will be proud to look down upon in heaven. But my main goal is to give back all the time and all the love my mother shows me even though it seems it would be impossible I'll show her and you know what I don't care what anyone else thinks because I know my morals and what drives me to work hard and why should I listen to you ? You don't seem to have and morals or goals or standards set for yourself . Why would our proud race need more stereotyping from within , when at truth we are also exposed to stereotyping from places you wouldn't even believe . Even at heart we want to live in a politicallly correct world we cannot deny the obvious.

Answer 4

Social Class is a nasty thing, I've also lived all over the place and have lived everywhere from trailer parks inthe midwest to gated commuinties in the richest counties in FL. It scares me how much people hold class and upbringing as something to judge people with. I think it's just human nature, they are different I wish i had some more wisdom or something but I'm glad it's gotten better for you. It's juvenile and you just grow out of it, so chalk it up as nasty kids and grow above it, it's the trials we go through that make us who we are.
-Andrew...

Answer 5

Yes!! But in my life it was always the color of my skin. I never really connected with black people, which I am, because I'm so light. Being raised by my black mother and bi-racial father, I grew up just like other black people. But no matter what group you try to connect with, you just don't!!

And it is the same with classist black people too. I speak properly and my daughter is in private school, so i'm not ghetto. But i'm a single struggling parent, so I'm not affluent enough to be in that group.

My advice, be your damn self!!! If they don't like you for you, then f**k 'em. You can fly better without all that weight.

Stay up.

Answer 6

I went through the same thing, except under different circumstances... although when I was young, I hated my position and would have traded with anyone, I'm glad that my experiences have given me a unique take on life.
Trust me, give it time, and you'll look back and take comfort in the fact that your experiences have forged something special within you...

P.S: for the time being, stop caring about what those people say... get new friends, and screw those other haters!

Answer 7

Just hang in there - you don't have to prove anything to anyone. They're probaly jealous because a lot ofkids don't have both parents around and many can't put their kids into private school and they're probaly wondering why you're there now. Stop telling people you came from a private school for now.

Answer 8

I grew up in PG County as well, and I never experienced it. But I did go to Public Schools all my life....so that could be why.

Things and situations like that get better as you get older. It will go away. Good Luck

Answer 9

i know a black man who ws adopted by a white family on the main line" outside of Philly. it is a society thing because they feel you are not of money like them. i get that too and i am mexican and adopted into a upper class family. i was told to marry a rich jewish man. don't let anyone tell you how to be. if your not comfortable then thats their problem. i dressed like Lil Kim in Bryn Mawr in the 90's and in this rich setting. you can imagine how that went.! so be yourself. you will be fine.

Answer 10

Yep, rascism is tought, not inherited, and some of the best teachers are those who hold a grudge, like parents.

I am tired of my daughter (half mexicano-half white) picking sides when her school is on lockdown over rascial riots. Its not right for her. Parents teach their children how to do this, it's up to you to perservere and overcome it and make a difference......