Perceptions of Poverty and Community Among Middle Class African-Americans

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the extent to which middle-class Black people adhere to the same meta-narrative that is currently used to tell the story of African-Americans. Using a qualitative approach, the author interviewed five middle-class African-Americans to answer the question: How do middle-class Blacks understand themselves, poor Black people, and the Black community? The experiences and beliefs of the participants indicate that the current African-American narrative of victimization needs to be reconceptualized and expanded to include current and variable stories that represent the various class structures of Black people.