Maggie Hunt

There is no denying that there are great disparities between the black middle class and the
black underclass. There are several complex factors that apply to this dilemma of class
division amongst black Americans. Cultural changes, poverty, racial stigmas, and an
attitude of entitlement are a few key concepts and factors that begin to explain the
differences in class for black Americans.
Culture has endured a significant change amongst the black American
communities. Surrounding the era of the civil rights movements, the black American
community was a close unified network of people who were joined in the same cause and
dealing with the same struggles. During the civil rights movement era the culture of
black Americans was to nurture one another and advance as a whole community. After
the civil rights movement era the walls of segregation and racism diminished
substantially allowing for many of the black American community to take advantage of
the opportunities to advance in social class. Not everyone was ready or able to take
advantage of the opportunities and thus many remained in the underclass brackets while
still dealing with the remaining challenges of the left over racism, segregation, and
discrimination that lingered after the civil rights movement had passed. Those black
Americans who have reached upper or middle class status have come to see themselves
as different from their underclass counterparts and again this contributes to the
disintegration of the former culture of a nurturing and unified community.

Rising and overcoming poverty is another challenge and another barrier that
further divides the black middle class and the black underclass. Overcoming poverty is a
daunting task as most people have to take on minimum wage jobs to cover the bills and
responsibilities that they have. Many in poverty have families who require care and
attention leaving little time or resources to gain an education or skill that could increase
their earning potential. Poverty therefore becomes a vicious cycle that may seem
impossible to break. The upper or middle class black Americans most likely came from
households with better financial means and better access to educational opportunities.
Class separation among black Americans may also be a result of a sense of
entitlement. This sense of entitlement has been a surfacing issue in recent political
debate. It transcends racial boundaries and applies to the general population. It was
mentioned in the provided video that some of the black youth today feel that they are
entitled to wealth and privileges.

Some feel that they or their ancestors have been

wronged by the governments at large, which may very well have been the case, and that
they are entitled to restitution. This entitlement mentality lacks the emphasis of
educational achievement as well as a focus on community stewardship. Those in the
upper-middle class have found success by becoming educated making contributions to
society as a whole.
Racial stigmas may also play a contributing factor to the class separation of black
Americans. These racial stigmas are evident between the black American

classes. Upper class or middle class black Americans are prone to develop their own
stigmas or perceptions towards the underclass black Americans. The upper or middle
class black Americans may tend to dissociate themselves from the black culture or
heritage and find that they associate themselves with the upper or middle class regardless
of race. The separation between the underclass and upper-middle class black Americans
may not be so much an issue of race as it is an issue with the separation or gaps in class
for all Americans regardless of race.
The separation between the underclass black Americans and the upper-middle
class black Americans may be attributed to many factors. The most specific factor to
black Americans and class surround the civil rights movement and the opportunities that
were brought forth shortly thereafter. Many of the upper-middle class black Americans
were able to take advantage of newly available opportunities in education and in the
workforces to elevate themselves to a new socioeconomic status. Other factors that
contribute to the class separation can be found in all racial and ethnic groups. Poverty,
attitudes of entitlement, and class stigmas are all obstacles and barriers between
underclass Americans and upper-middle class Americans.