I enjoy making fun of the bourgeoisie of all colors. However, Frazier's scathing sociological study of the US black bourgeoisie is so mean-spirited and bitter that the reader can feel his venom. And his savage skewering of Negro colleges, fraternities, and 'society' was a bit too personal at times...Was he rejected by those Jack and Jill types? Also, how does his conclusions hold up today with regard to ongoing arguments about black politics, black nationalism, and the role of class in African American politics? What about the argument that the more wealth an African American person has, the more likely they are to be in favor of black nationalism or racial politics? Surely, Frazier's study of the black bourgeoisie contradicts that theory.
Moreover, one cannot help but wonder how Frazier responded to the 'domestic colony' argument for the conditions of African-Americans. The Negro bourgeoisie as a dependent, comprador class that exists based on the good will and interests of the white bourgeoisie, playing at being rich in their 'make-believe' world, does suggest a comprador class. Indeed, their conspicuous consumption, which certainly connects them in habits to the white bourgeoisie, is their sole basis as bourgeois class in the first place. Indeed, Frazier hints at possible implications of the African American bourgeoisie for the decolonizing world. Fanon also warned us about the indigenous bourgeoisie after colonialism. Does Frazier's study support the Black America as domestic colony of the US, an argument popular with some of my good leftist friends?
The true tragedy of Frazier's book is his message on the failure of black capitalism as the salve to white supremacy is still under debate. Despite political scientist Lester Spence's critiques of neoliberalism's infiltration of Black America, some of us still believe supporting black businesses and entrepreneurial spirit will save us. And for the fools who think Jim Crow was better for us because of black businesses, even before its dismantling, black businesses in the North were doing better, according to Frazier's data. No, black businesses and capitalism will not save you from white supremacy.
Moreover, one cannot help but wonder how Frazier responded to the 'domestic colony' argument for the conditions of African-Americans. The Negro bourgeoisie as a dependent, comprador class that exists based on the good will and interests of the white bourgeoisie, playing at being rich in their 'make-believe' world, does suggest a comprador class. Indeed, their conspicuous consumption, which certainly connects them in habits to the white bourgeoisie, is their sole basis as bourgeois class in the first place. Indeed, Frazier hints at possible implications of the African American bourgeoisie for the decolonizing world. Fanon also warned us about the indigenous bourgeoisie after colonialism. Does Frazier's study support the Black America as domestic colony of the US, an argument popular with some of my good leftist friends?
The true tragedy of Frazier's book is his message on the failure of black capitalism as the salve to white supremacy is still under debate. Despite political scientist Lester Spence's critiques of neoliberalism's infiltration of Black America, some of us still believe supporting black businesses and entrepreneurial spirit will save us. And for the fools who think Jim Crow was better for us because of black businesses, even before its dismantling, black businesses in the North were doing better, according to Frazier's data. No, black businesses and capitalism will not save you from white supremacy.
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