Comments on: “We are all from the Cosby Show”

By: nopasanada

nopasanada — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:48:57 +0000

Ok, because I wasn’t able to fully involve myself in the discussion for this post, I’m going to do some writing and hopefully get something up next week. When I’m around so we can really talk about it. Danielle brought up a lot of good points and I kind of glossed over the real meaning of the article and that was a mistake on my part. So stay tuned for something a little more cohesive and comprehensive.

By: schmutzie

schmutzie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:45:56 +0000

That article left a really horrible taste in my mouth. I don’t even know where to begin.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:15:46 +0000

That’s actually a really great point that I hadn’t considered, Monkey – the reality that a lot of homes are familial property and passed down through the generations. That gives the segregation reference slightly more foundation for me – modern day black families visiting Martha’s Vineyard are not choosing to segregate. Thank you for that.

I think my problems with this article are rooted in quotes like this: “When you see a beautiful black family with their kids, it makes you feel really good about being black” and “Several Only Ones say there’s nowhere in America that makes them more proud of black people.” So, beautiful black families can only be found on Martha’s Vineyard? And, as an African-American who never plans on or wants to spend one MINUTE on Martha’s Vineyard, I shouldn’t cultivate racial pride in other distinctly more realistic and attainable ways?

I agree with Momo Fali that it seems like more of a status issue; black families that spend time in Martha’s Vineyard may, from the tone of this article, view it as a respite from the day-to-day reality of having to justify their wealth and/or privilege. What I don’t understand is why these families feel the need to disregard and insult the larger portion of the population, the middle to lower class families who have no designs on a Martha’s Vineyard lifestyle but remain proud and beautiful on their own terms.

By: Momo Fali

Momo Fali — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:40:14 +0000

I understand what Danielle is saying, but I don’t think successful black families alienate underpriviledged black families any more than successful white families alienate “white trash”. You just tend to associate with people to whom you relate. I understand more of why it’s a status issue than I do why it’s a black and white one. I’m not saying I’m upper class BY ANY STRETCH of the imagination, but I don’t prefer to be around people who act ignorant. It doesn’t matter what color you are.

For the record, I think this may be the first serious comment I have ever left here.

By: monkeyinasuit

monkeyinasuit — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:59:58 +0000

Long time lurker, first time commenter! To Danielle-I think the person quoted may have been referring to the Inkwell Beach area. One of my post-undergrad dot com buddies is from a family that owns a house in that part of MV and the way she explained it to me (on our way there one weekend) was that many of those homes have been in the same families for years. It’s the part of MV where affluent black families were forced to buy property when legal and societal segregation was still in effect-I believe her great-grandparents bought the land a long time ago. It isn’t as much self-segregation as demographics that stay stable because a lot of property on the vineyard just passes to family members.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:10:59 +0000

ALSO:

The article references a quote in which someone says, “The black part of the vineyard…” So in order to be “successfully black”, you also have to resign yourself to segregation?

Sorry. I’m done.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:08:22 +0000

While I understand the intent of this article, it still comes across as divisive.

The problem, in my opinion, is that underprivileged black families are constantly exposed to wealthy or well-to-do black families (via TV shows, movies, etc.) but successful black families rarely associate with underprivileged black families. Being a poor black person is viewed as something contagious, something to run away from.

It lends itself to a feeling of “other than” rather than “part of”.

I also think that the gauge with which success is measured here is unrealistic. For most poor black families, success may mean paying bills on time, having a secure place to live, food on the table, etc. Vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard isn’t the norm for anyone, regardless of race; why is it being used as a paragon of wealth here?

Interesting article. Very thought-provoking.