Cultural Ponderings: Has 'Bougie' Been Down Graded?

**This is a post I wrote a while ago but never published I don't think I finished it but I needed to test out blog post pagination so here is that cultural pondering I had about a couple of years ago. If you like it, "Yay!" If not, that is okay. This was pretty much just a stream of conscious musing anyway** 




A week or so ago I read a post from one of my favorite blogs, Very Smart Brothas titled "Sh!t Bougie Black Girls Say". This amusing post was later followed by the YouTube skit of a similar name (video located at end of the post). While very amusing, the post left my best friend and I with a realization -- Bougie has been down graded.

A Bourgeoisie Overview

Now back in my college years in the 19__'s, the black bourgeoisie -- or as they often called bougie or bourgie -- were the African-Americans who were middle-class, had at least a four-year college education and worked within Corporate America behind a desk and computer. They had expensive, not extravagant taste, but were commonly known to try and "keep up with the Joneses". There were two types of black bourgeoisie, the old and the new.

The old black bourgeoisie actually came from money. They had a traceable lineage that connected them to their wealth. They were upper-class and upper middle-class African-Americans who either lived on or had vacation homes in Martha's Vineyard, Southern estates and some even came from families that once owned slaves. These blacks were either (traditional) Ivy League educated or attended one of the Black Ivy colleges -- Morehouse, Howard, Hampton, Fisk, Tuskegee and Spelman. They often did not need to "keep up with the Joneses" because they were The Joneses!

The new bourgeoisie did not come from a family of wealth. They came from middle-middle and lower-middle class (working class) families. However, these African-Americans often excelled in school academically and sometimes athletically and attended either an Ivy League or Black Ivy school. One thing that was important with the new bourgeoisie was establishing a network. This is where belonging to a Black Greek fraternity or sorority  comes into importance. The Black Greek organizations became a nouveau-lineage for the new bourgeoisie.

Black Bougie Girls

When it came to African-American females who were classified as bougie, think about Robin Givens -- aka the bougie girl's patron saint -- in Boomerang. (Side note: It seems as if a lot of things in modern black culture can be linked to either Boomerang or Coming to America. I don't know, maybe it's just me) I mention a character Robin Givens played in a movie, however, she kind of was a bougie girl outside of her roles as well. She was the bougie girl that most are stereotyped as  being: Neuveau-riche black women who were stuck up with two expressions -- the almost duck face (to show smugness) and the Elvis snarl (when they looked down on someone or something). Granted, some were exactly like this but a good deal were not.

These women drove luxury cars, had boyfriends that were "on the rise" (had potential of becoming a pro-athlete, doctor, lawyer or were headed for Wall Street) and they were headed for high profile careers as well. They lived in upscale apartments or condos. Style-wise the hair was either long -- natural or weave -- or cut in a sophisticated short style. Makeup was never overly done, just enough to enhance and camouflage. Clothes were the latest fashions from top designers. The bougie stores of choice included designer boutiques, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Lord & Taylor (it was the spot back in the day) and Nordstrom. Quite frankly the cheapest retailer they would frequent was Macy's and on occasion, a discount shop that sold vintage items -- when vintage was en vogue. Their choice of water -- yes there was a choice of water -- changes with whatever brand is the trend. Perrier had its day, as did Evian and Voss. Fine wines were the alcoholic drinks of choice, however a martini, fine scotch or bourbon were also acceptable for specific occassions.

Proper pronunciation of words, good diction and having a well-rounded vocabulary (which included a few urban slang words) were the oral trademarks of the bougie black female. Bougie females were knowledgeable about a lot of things, not experts, but just enough to contribute to conversation. They had good posture and were skilled at walking in heels. These females still exist and live the lifestyle they always have. However, I think the bougie female has been down graded or more appropriately mistaken for a new breed of black woman.

Are These Females Really Bougie or Something Else?

In the blog post from Very Smart Brothas they listed certain things that Bougie black girls say. The list includes:

1. Inquiring if a potential date or boyfriend has a passport
2. Denying they are bougie
3. Having a favorite Thai restuarant
4. A love for Target

While the list was funny some things on it made me do a double take. I can understand the love for Thai food. Honestly each decade or so a new cultural cuisine becomes the "it thing". Yes because of the stigma within the black community (being bougie is not a compliment) the new bougies deny that they are and the old bougies don't even acknowledge the label --which is a good thing. I understand asking about a passport because you can't even fly to and from the Caribbean without one. The thing that stood out to me was the love for Target. Target! Ummm...really?

I am not bougie -- no that is not denial, I honestly do not fit a majority of the characteristics -- but I will admit that I have bougie tendencies. While I do love recommending Target for those who want designer names that fit their budgets, I am not a frequent customer. I probably should be, though. I know that even if I, who just has bougie tendencies won't go crazy over Target, a real bourgeoisie won't be impressed by the store. This is not to say that they do not like cheap chic, I haven't come across too many people rich, middle-class or poor who does not enjoy a good sale. However, it depends on where that sale is. A bougie black female will be ecstatic over purchasing a standard Jason Wu handbag for $45.95 at Nordstrom during a clearance sale rather than spending $40.00, regular price for a Jason Wu for Target handbag. Don't get mad. Just hear me out on this.

*Placing designer hat on*

A designer's ready-to-wear collection features items made from quality fabrics that are constructed to be durable and fit  the sizes they were made for (based off their measurement chart). You will see 97 percent strait/even stitching, very little yarn slubs in the fabric, facings, interfacings, underlining, lining and quality notions (buttons, zippers, embellishment, thread, etc).

Designer lines made for a discount retailer like Target will be made to fit the sizes based off the collection size chart, however the quality of materials used is reduced. Chances are the fabric is not very tightly woven which means it could tear more easily than a comparable item from the designer's ready-to-wear collection. The notions used will be of a lower quality, meaning thread probably will break easily, buttons may be of a cheap plastic or metal. The garments won't have as much inner construction details like facings, underlining, interfacings and probably won't be lined.

Why have I gone into so much detail about the difference between ready-to-wear and Target-wear, because bougie females know the difference. If a girl you think is bougie has many of the tendencies but her style markings, education, and brand recognition do not jive, then chances are she is not. Do not mistake tendencies for the real thing. Some of the females I know have the same tendencies and are mistakenly called bougie as a result. Don't get it twisted we don't have bougie checkbooks and we can get quite ignant (yes, that's right) with your behind if you take us there.

So if a woman is budget shopping at a mass retailer and not a department store, but has a bougie attitude, that is all she has is the attitude. She is not bougie. She might get there one day. Babydoll, she aint there yet.

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