Cartoon 770: Great Divide

Americans Blacks have risen much like other American groups at various times. In many cases nascent successes were snuffed out in racial backlash, like Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921.

In America there is a clear delineation in Black society. One is multi-generational and based on culture, with an enduring economic foundation. I will call them “the alighters”. It has existed for over a century. The members have the same upward mobile aspirations and successes as other peoples in America.

The historical identifier was economics. They were the buisness owners and landed gentry. On my Mother’s side her Grandfather started with a house drawn wagon business that expanded to a moving business and dump trucks through three generations. On my Fathers side they owned real estate and were business owners.

The “alighters” make up a sizable percentage of the Black professionals, especially in medicine. Historically they have attended the “Black Iveys”, such as Howard, Fisk, Tuskegee, Spellman, Hampton, and Morehouse. In my case, my parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins attended the same undergraduate university. Another enduring identifier in the education arena is Black Greek fraternities and sororities. My family is strongly represented in the three main fraternities and two sororities. In fact, I pledged [joined the organization] one at the same time my cousin at the same college pledged the other. Education is merely an attribute of this Black society. It is culture that really defines it. There are very exclusive social groups like, “The Links” that mark “alighters” as members in top standing. Many gravitate to the Black Freemasons.

The “alighters” is a group largely invisible, being submerged in the prevailing Black stereotype. It is also a group apart. This group shares mutual animosity with the other group. The other identification problem is confusing “alighters” with individuals newly emerging from the other class through education or finances. They are still not part of the“alighters”. Some successfully marry into it. But for most, it is not an aspiration. The final problem is that today’s generations of “alighters” are confused as to who they are and surcome to the larger Black culture. It is important older generations maintain the link in young people’s minds. Today this exclusive class does significantly grow or advertise its present. The members know who they are.

American perceptions of Blacks would be considerably different if the two groups were instantly recognizable as mutually exclusive. In fact many Whites and some Blacks would be surprised at the existence and cohesion of the exclusive “alighters”. I imagine it makes up not much more than 1% of the Black American population. It was much more visible during segregation.

If only there was a way to change American perception and dispel the broad brush of stereotype.