Greetings, fam. What I would like us to break bread on today is the concept of the Black Middle Class (BMC) and more specifically, the young Black Middle Class i.e. 18 - 35 years. What concerns me about this group, to which I believe I belong, is how much do we matter in terms of influencing our national discourse. We seem to be stuck in this void where our voice does not really seem to matter.
Historically, to be in this age group means that you were too young to be able to say you were THAT actively involved in the pre-'94 action. You have a vague recollection of the smell of teargas, at best. Meaning one cannot claim much personal credit in the ushering in of the Rainbow Nation. Your opinion is inherited.
You probably got a pretty decent education which has translated into a even prettier standard of living somewhere with a security guard and a sign in book. Yet your don't yet have a trust fund of Juju proportions and you are not necessarily in a very high powered chair at you 9 to 5. Basically, those in the BMC are not poor enough to be able to "justifiably" burn down schools and property shouting away with poverty. No, you watch that on the plasma. Also, those in the BMC are not wealthy enough to make high impact decisions in terms of national economics.
You understand your brother's frustration with not finding a job to provide to his family. But you are against him burning down your hood to get that point across. Every time you bring it up he tells you that you don't get it. Yet you don't get invites to the Sunday golf with the execs in order to put ensure your family's financial freedom for generations to come.
My question to you is; who do think you matter to in this country? I have a scary answer for you, fam. Retailers! Yes, retailers seem to be the only part of society that actively seek you out and attend to your wishes, dreams, aspiration, fears and addictions.
Happy Festives. Chaa ching!
Photographer // Khumbelo Makungo Writer // Vus
Note*posted this article on behalf of Vus because his internet connect is giving him problems
BMC are the loudest yet they are useless when it comes putting a revolution in motion in this country. I dont know they problems & concerns my mother faces - BMC must not pretend that they have same problems as the rest of the country.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the time for the black middle class to be defining and solidifying its position in society. BMC (love that accronym) is in a unique position to guide politics in a different direction, to sort of create that balance between the rich and the poor and white and black.... Economics is another issue which we (yes I belong to this group too) can only influence when the aforementioned balance has been struck!
I think the reason why Black Middle Class folk are not socially active is because we are so disillusioned about politics and society we just end up thinking consumption and personal security are much more urgent matters than wider social movement.
I don't totally agree with you all( Vusi, GG and KG), but you do have valid points. I think the BMC does not yet fully understand their contribution to society, but we have a huge role to play. We may not be able to directly influence political or economic change, but we can certainly show our brothers that there is something beyond ekasi and that it is reachable. And that it is not completely hopeless!
I agree with you Dee, what im saying is that BMC must not talk as if they understand the lower class problems because they dont ... they are not there everyday.
nice article ;)
the BMC is going to be responsible for a huge portion of being the cog in SA's economy. I love seeing the rise in the BMC, it shows progress, if only we could speed it up a little...
BMC need to know their place though, they must not speak for the others ...
We need to star building together! all this new money and experience needs to be put to good use!!
The rise of the BWC (Black Working Class) into thinking they are Middle class!!!!
LMAO! so the question is does the Black Working Class know that some of them they are not Black Middle Class and how does one differentiate between the two. I think im a BMC but i could be BWC as well ...
This is funny ... I mean the comments not the article
sad [but true] ∙ can we add "your mother" to the people you matter to?
So whats the conclusion to this, a way forward nyana, something something ...
@Odyzeee you are right, perhaps the line between the two is not as clear as it should be. I think it's about each person taking responsibility for yourself first. Creating a legacy that starts with you and influences those around you.
@Tebogo101 unfortunately that is not always the case. There are foul mothers out there too