Challenges in theorising ‘Black middle‐class’ women: education, experience and authenticity

Abstract

This viewpoint draws on discussions at two seminars to consider ambivalent attitudes amongst a group of Black women towards considering themselves and/or other Black people as ‘middle class’. The first seminar highlighted the experiences of a group of Black ‘middle‐class’ parents and the second, which was organised as a result of the reaction the first seminar received, sought to explore attendees views as to whether they thought Black people could be Black and ‘middle class’. The viewpoint contends that the concept ‘Black middle class’ is incompatible with some Black women’s notions of self, and that their ambivalence about the ‘Black middle classes’ is partly rooted in an emotional need to remain connected to the wider Black community. Whilst these women’s understandings of the ‘Black middle classes’ are informed by their gendered and racialised experiences, there is also evidence of a denial of (class) privilege.

Keywords:

• class
• gender
• race
• identities

Notes

1. ‘Black’ in this paper is used to refer to peoples of African‐Caribbean or African heritage.

2. When the term ‘middle class’ is used in relation to Black people it is referenced in inverted commas to indicate the contested nature of the category.