No One’s Elite Enough For “Our Kind of People”

First Lady Michelle Obama with the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.Snob reader Fanita was nice enough to point out to me this little bon mot I missed in the Martha’s Vineyard story from the New York. How did I miss this money quote?

Many blacks from Oak Bluffs are elated that the Only One–in–Chief may be joining them. “People are going to lose their minds!” Tonya Lewis Lee says. At the same time, there’s also a bit of wariness among the wealthiest ones, an uncertainty whether Obama will affirm them. “Obama is more a man of the people,” says a Vineyarder who’s part of black high society. “He doesn’t seem to identify with affluent black people. His wife definitely doesn’t; she is basically a ghetto girl. That’s what she says—I’m just being sociological. She grew up in the same place Jennifer Hudson did. She hasn’t reached out to the social community of Washington, and people are waiting to see what they’ll do about that.”

Um … what the?!?!

Rant after the jump!

All she is is the First Lady of the United States. NOT ELITE ENOUGH! You know? Just in case you didn’t know. Is this a paper bag test issue? New money issue? Not enough ass kissing to snooty patooties? Rolling eyes now. Rolling them right out of my head and onto the floor. For real.

Also … um, he’s the president and she’s the First Lady. Shouldn’t you be kissing their asses and begging to be in THEIR inner circle? Who the EFF are you people? Are YOU leader of the free world? Why do the Obamas have to reach out to you? You should be working the phones, harassing Desiree Rogers to get your name on the damn list, not bitching about how Michelle won’t show up at Cavalcade. Jack & Jill of America should be sending letters and gift baskets BEGGING for Sasha and Malia to join. You should be the one inviting him to organizations and events, like when the Alpha Kappa Alphas made Michelle an honorary member. You know? Because they’re not INSANE and they wanted to be down with the most famous black woman in America.

THE NERVE of some people. Again. Who the hell are you? What military do YOU command? Remove the stick from your ass and your mind will follow.

daniellebelton

106 responses to “No One’s Elite Enough For “Our Kind of People””

  1. Als SImmons Avatar
    Als SImmons

    Black America is too complex for an Island girl like me. Laughing my head off how people build up their own importance and look down on their "own" colour or what ever it is.

    Reply
  2. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    LOL.Oh honey you didn’t know. A blog that shall remain nameless often talks about how Michelle and Obama are not the best and the brightest the black community has to offer (I’m not saying they are either, but her reasons for saying it is what gets me) especially since they weren’t born into affluence.She regularly has something to say against Michelle’s "behaviour" and when she does offer praise it is often back-handed. She’s one of "Our Kind of People."So I’m not surprised at the comments…Not. At. All.Another chick who has a blog who is from that set said during the election essentially the same thing…that the black glitterati were not impressed with him and there was no guarantee that Obama would get their votes. *shrugs*Oh the humor

    Reply
  3. sarah Avatar
    sarah

    The first black FLOTUS described as a "ghetto girl"…wow…that’s just shameful. I hate to say it but I think it comes down to color…they are mad that this dark skin black woman with kinky (but relaxed) hair is sitting in the White House. The probably feel like it should have been one of their light skin curly haired daughters.

    Reply
  4. spiderlgs Avatar
    spiderlgs

    Hilarious Quote.. It’s amazing how people create stories to make them feel more important than they really are. The neighborhood Michelle grew up in could hardly be called a ghetto now, let alone 40 years ago when she was growing up. Solidly middle class, followed by her magnet school, then Ivy education. Gimme a break. "She hasn’t reached out…" She IS the social community of Washington LOL by default! Also, Michelle is not an AKA. They invited her… she wrote them a nice note. She hasn’t been initiated. God forbid I ever meander into Oak Bluffs, I’d be run out like the plague.

    Reply
  5. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    ……they are mad that this dark skin black woman with kinky (but relaxed) hair is sitting in the White House. The probably feel like it should have been one of their light skin curly haired daughters.And there u have it…

    Reply
  6. miss kate Avatar
    miss kate

    this is making my head hurt. "Obama is more a man of the people." So what, is he like Tupac now or something? GTFOH.

    Reply
  7. Danielle Belton Avatar
    Danielle Belton

    @ spiderlgsI wrote: … like when the Alpha Kappa Alphas made Michelle an honorary member.Michelle accepted the honorary membership. Honorary. She also said she would accept an honorary membership from any other Greek organization. So she accepted it, but I never wrote she was a traditional member of the group. Just honorary, like an honorary degree.

    Reply
  8. spiderlgs Avatar
    spiderlgs

    I understand that. She sent a note to their Centennial celebration, but has yet to complete the ceremony that will make her a member, honorary or otherwise.

    Reply
  9. keke123 Avatar
    keke123

    @SarahI highly doubt they said it b/c of color. i think it’s more about her background. If the black elite wanted one of their own as the president and first lady. Trust me, they would’ve ran him or her by now. But they haven’t. The black elite have had PLENTY of time/opportunities to run one of their own. But they didn’t, and I suspect part of that is b/c they didn’t want the news dissecting everything about "their kind" and putting it out for all of America to see. B/c if all of America knew about the black elite and how they roll they wouldn’t be so exclusive anymore…Also, Snob made a comment about them inviting Sasha and Malia to join Jack and Jill, i wouldn’t be surprised if they already have. But then I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide not to invite the girls. I mean imagine if the media were to get a hold of the fact that the girls are involved in that type of organization. Every black parent would be trying to get their child in, some way somehow. And that is exactly what the jack and jill set DOESN’T want…Plus one of my friends who is in the D.C. jack and jill chapter says that it is the second most exclusive/snobby/cut throat chapter in the country next to the founding chapter(in Philly).So i could see why the Obamas wouldn’t want their daughters to join that set. what kind of message would it send out to normal middle class black folk or your average poor or working class black people? "oh, the obamas are too bougie…"

    Reply
  10. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Stay classy black elite. Stay classyIs there any question why we sometimes embrace the likes of Tyler Perry and hold on certain working class values? Look at the alternative. I’m not even an Obama fan and I have to say Negroes please. Even I take pleasure in the fact that Obama is not a peer of the Larry Otis Grahams of the world. No Boule for Barry (Thank God).(Oh and I hate the pretentiousness of the Black Socialite. I wish she would fall into the Grand Canyon.)

    Reply
  11. Monie Avatar
    Monie

    Honestly I’m not surprised by what’s being said only that it’s being said publicly. These people are usually allergic to media attention. Didn’t they put a hit out on Lawrence Otis Graham? Lol

    Reply
  12. polticallyincorrect Avatar
    polticallyincorrect

    Like I said in the other post, these people aren’t relevant. Many new money folks have surpassed them in like one or two generations. Poor ghetto Michelle, son of an African Barack, field hand Oprah, Lil Billy from Philly, Condoleeza don’t even want to be seen with negros.And why are black colleges struggling if these folks are so important. Oh yeah they don’t have the big bucks they have to go and beg Coke and Pepsi for donations.

    Reply
  13. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    @MonieI think they did but the thought of having to deal with the unwashed/unmixed Negro was too much for them to handle. They decided to give old larry and his nose a pass.

    Reply
  14. polticallyincorrect Avatar
    polticallyincorrect

    Is there any question why we sometimes embrace the likes of Tyler Perry and hold on certain working class values? Look at the alternative. Good point, Monica, I can’t stand the chitlin circuit to but I get your point

    Reply
  15. dukedraven Avatar
    dukedraven

    I know there was something about the Obamas that I didn’t like. They’re way too ghetto for me. They’re straight out of Compton, from the projects–with those two crumb-snatchers of theirs, Sasha and Malia.

    Reply
  16. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    LOl @ monicai didn’t mention any names.Seriously, it’s not an issue that folk want to be exclusive and have their organizations or whatever…I grew up around the set…I come form a part of the semi-deep south where there is a lot of old black money…the issue is that you would get into a national magazine and say such things about the Pres and First Lady.Keep your snobbishness to yourself. Contrary to popular belief everyone doesn’t want to be you…

    Reply
  17. polticallyincorrect Avatar
    polticallyincorrect

    Why would Sasha and Malia want to be a part of their group when they grow up, where by being the presidents children they will be hanging out with the real deal big honchos like the Kennedy’s, not the wanna bee’s. They are gonna hang out with the real movers and shakers, and not he decendants of their slave mistresses.

    Reply
  18. Saida Latigue Avatar
    Saida Latigue

    Black people, from the glitterrati to the ghettorati, are their own WORSE enemy.DIssapointing, yet not surprising.

    Reply
  19. thepoliticalcat Avatar
    thepoliticalcat

    Girl, you hit that one right out of the park. Sweet Jesus wept! These people are beyond … never mind.

    Reply
  20. Roslyn Holcomb Avatar
    Roslyn Holcomb

    Obviously I know nothing about elite people, except that they usually abhor media attention. It’s simply ‘not done.’ I would also think that if the Obamas were actually so ‘beyond the pale’ and too, ‘of the people’ for their taste, why do they keep talking about them? Isn’t that the point of designating people as ‘beneath you?’ It seems odd to me that so many of these elite people feel compelled to talk about them. Aren’t they irrelevant?

    Reply
  21. thepoliticalcat Avatar
    thepoliticalcat

    I just realized I fell off your blogroll. Was it the long time away getting a new knee? I’ll make it up to you! Damn!

    Reply
  22. rikyrah Avatar
    rikyrah

    Lawdhammerdcy.Bless you, Snob.Cause you know I GOTZ to bring this to JJP..I missed this one too. LMAOOh, I can’t wait for this debate. I am LMAO….this is SOOO ‘ Our Kind of People’BWA HA HA HA HA HA

    Reply
  23. rikyrah Avatar
    rikyrah

    A blog that shall remain nameless often talks about how Michelle and Obama are not the best and the brightest the black community has to offer (I’m not saying they are either, but her reasons for saying it is what gets me) especially since they weren’t born into affluence.JJ,come on…name the blog…I totally want to kinow…I know about the second blog, but don’t know the first one.

    Reply
  24. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    @Rikyrah,Didn’t you and the Black Socialite have a tiny blog war last year?

    Reply
  25. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Wow. Actually, the article wasn’t that bad – just had one offensive quote from some knucklehead that the Snob excerpted. Why all the hate on rich Black folks in general? The ones I know all are pro-Obama & Michelle: whether Girlfriends, Links, Boule, J&J, etc. Of course there are haters here and there, but they come both rich & poor. There is so much wrong with that quote above that I can’t imagine the person who gave it (to the press nonetheless) is tethered to sanity and must be known to spout ridiculousness regularly.And as for LOG and ‘certain other blog writers’, their insecurities are what make them obnoxious, not their alleged wealth or lineage.

    Reply
  26. fly girl Avatar
    fly girl

    My People, My people. This does not surprise me in the least. Bougie Black people have always prided themselves in being more exclusive and arrogant than the average white person. For the record, Jennifer Hudson grew up in Woodlawn, which is generally considered a rough area. Michelle grew up in South Shore which has a mix of middle class, bougie and working class. I sincerely doubt if Michelle has ever referred to herself as a ghetto girl although she has never looked down her nose at people for their economic circumstance. The Obamas do not need the Bougie class and I reeally wish they would spend some of that toxic energy "uplifting the race" instead of dragging it through the depths of hell.

    Reply
  27. Robert M Avatar
    Robert M

    ROTFLMBAOAll i can think of is the old Frank’s Place" where he can’t get into the club in NO because he can’t pass the paper bag test. and then the girls are "Bebe’s Kids" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0RfGKIqPH8

    Reply
  28. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    @RikyrahWell, like i said…I won’t say. But if you’re into musical instruments you should be able to guess:-)

    Reply
  29. TruthTeller Avatar
    TruthTeller

    "If the black elite wanted one of their own as the president and first lady. Trust me, they would’ve ran him or her by now. "I call bullshit on this here (no offense to the poster).I don’t believe that for a second. They don’t have the clout or the influence to run anybody for President of the Dogcatchers Association, let alone the United States. They are as dependent on white folks for their wealth as everybody else. If they were white, they wouldn’t even be considered upper class, which is the truly hilarious part to me. The Kennedys and Rockefellers are looking at them like "Who are you people again?"PLEASE. President of the United States outranks the supposed "black elite" everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

    Reply
  30. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    They are as dependent on white folks for their wealth as everybody else. If they were white, they wouldn’t even be considered upper class, which is the truly hilarious part to me.And that my dear friends is the winning answer of the day.I wrote a post along htose lines during the election when I realized much of the "black elite" were throwing their weight behind the Clinton’s because the Clinton’s and their friends kept them fed.There isn’t a single group more beholden to white folk then much of the black elite. Black folk don’t have any real power in this country. You name me an "elite" black person and I’ll name the white person signing their checks.This essentially rules them irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, especially since most aren’t even as charitable as say the Rockerfellers or Kennedy’s. If they want someone to truly care about them then they would use some of that money and influence to raise the boats of the bulk of AA’s in this country who are working class and poor and then you can be in a real position to wieldl power.Otherwise you’re just exclusive clique who want to keep folk out…which is fine…but stop pretending you matter.

    Reply
  31. keke123 Avatar
    keke123

    @truth tellerNotice I never said that if one of the Black elite ran for POTUS they would actually win. I just said that if they had wanted their "own" in office they would’ve tried to get him there by now. The point of my comment was to say I disagreed with Sarah, I don’t think that the black elite dislikes Michelle simply b/c of her skin color but the dislike is more about her upbringing and background.For some reason people tend to act like there aren’t dark skinned black elite. In fact I think the point you made is correct. Hell, if one of them were to run they wouldn’t win. B/c the majority of black people (and white ppl) don’t give two sh*ts about the black elite…

    Reply
  32. polticallyincorrect Avatar
    polticallyincorrect

    Exactly JJ, they rely on corporate donors for donations. When you go to white colleges the rich alumni have buildings named after them. At black colleges, its folks that didn’t even go there who give them money.

    Reply
  33. Kris Avatar
    Kris

    Oh they did try to get their own to the top–Harold Ford Jr. I’m glad that they failed.

    Reply
  34. Ope @ Panafya Avatar
    Ope @ Panafya

    Tx for posting this Snob. I read the rest of this article and this got me:

    The Only Ones deal with glass ceilings at work, unfortunate misunderstandings in their neighborhoods, condescension from blacks who think their education or class makes them inauthentic, and identity crises in their kids. When they get to their Vineyard vacation homes, they want to escape that casual, institutional, and intra-black racism and be around people who help them feel less anomalous. Trey Ellis, who wrote the script for The Inkwell, the notoriously bad film about the black Vineyard experience (Ellis himself called it terrible), says, “The black part of the Vineyard is like, I would imagine, being gay and going to the Castro. It’s this mecca where you can be yourself and be with people who have so much in common with you. No one has to feign some street cred when they’re playing tennis.” It’s a source of communion and of pride. “When you see a beautiful black family with their kids, it makes you feel really good about being black,” says Chrisette Hudlin, wife of Reggie and a lifelong Vineyarder who travels there every summer from L.A. “As a person who’s high-achieving and striving for the best for their family, you’re looking at these other black people who have the same goals, and it makes you feel good as a black person. You don’t feel out of place.” Several Only Ones say there’s nowhere in America that makes them more proud of black people.

    I don’t know who the author of this article is but it smells of race and class-war baiting to me.The only place in America that makes them feel proud of black people?? Dealing with "condescension from blacks who think their education or class makes them inauthentic?" This makes so little sense to me because most educated black people still tend to group with those with similar education, career, etc. And they dont go to Martha’s Vineyard to do it. The whole way the article was presented just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t know anyone rich enough to do the MV thing so I claim to know what they believe. But, the tone of this story is very much in the "divide and conquer" vain that mainstream media is always using with black folks. Pit men vs. women, rich vs. poor, light vs. dark against each other. Whenever I see stories like this, I just dismiss because they inevitably don’t dig deep enough and just serve to reinforce the mainstream media image of black folks as their own worst enemy.———www.panafya.comFitness, health & wellness for young black women

    Reply
  35. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    @KrisAren’t we all…

    Reply
  36. Elle Woods Avatar
    Elle Woods

    wow.So what if she has a "ghetto background"? She is the FLOTUS!Who da hell are you guys? I used to hear bout clowns like this but i never actually thought they existed. Dam shame. Nothing i despise more than self-loathing.

    Reply
  37. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Ford overplayed his hand.

    Reply
  38. bee Avatar
    bee

    Ford also didn’t pass the bar and would have a whole lot of other things to explain or dismiss on a campaign trail.

    Reply
  39. blackgirlinmaine Avatar
    blackgirlinmaine

    Well as a working class Black girl from Chicago with roots on the southside, I am proud as hell of Michelle. I now live in New England and have learned first hand that despite the fact I am here and an educated professional, I will never be in the inner circle of those people. So eff em! I read that book put out by Otis Graham years ago and nearly wanted to track that man down to give him a piece of my mind but thought better of it. Like other posters we can be our own worst enemy, at the end of the day Michelle is the FLOTUS and laughing at them all. I am sure she thinks they can have the Vineyard and she will take Barry and the world.

    Reply
  40. CK_one Avatar
    CK_one

    She’s good enough to be accepted and invited back to Buckingham Palace for a private visit with Queen Elizabeth but not for "our peopel" in Martha’s Vineyard? Go figure.

    Reply
  41. Cocoa Fly Avatar
    Cocoa Fly

    That’s a heavy quote to put in an article without naming the source.

    Reply
  42. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    @BeeFord didn’t pass the Bar?Damn.His addiction to white women was going to be a problem as well. He’s effectively ruined his shots at gaining any office with the white wife he has now. That’s just not going to play well in the south.

    Reply
  43. bee Avatar
    bee

    @ JJNope, Ford didn’t pass. I don’t say that to point out that he didn’t pass (and never tried again), but Ford comes from the black elite, while President Obama went to Harvard Law, became the first black to to be chief editor of Harvard law review, and PASSED the bar. However, Obama is still looked down on by some from Ford’s circle / "people."

    Reply
  44. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    @JJ,I have to point out Ford marrying a white women was a political death knell not with Southern white people but with black women. Let’s not forget that support Obama received from black women because he married Michelle. Even with his qualifications, I truly don’t believe Obama would have made it out of the Illinois House of Representatives, if he had a white wife.Ford with his sense of entitlement, and his Republican a** kissing, will hold another elected political office.

    Reply
  45. bigwilligirl Avatar
    bigwilligirl

    @ ‘blackgirlinmaine’ – Trust me, I feel and smell ya! I’ve lived in Conn. for a good portion of my life, but when I tell you that these 3rd/4th generation black New Englander’s are a different breed – Baby! It’s difficult to describe as an outsider (I’m a Jersey girl, mama’s from Va, daddy – Ga.). You’re not exactly looked down upon, but you certainly know you aren’t one of "them" either. I have a longtime friend from Hampton who grew up part of the "negratti" (in fact, she was in J&J w/"Baby Graham"!) – when her mother found out I was not one of "them" I thought for sure I’d be banned. 30+ yrs later, she still refers to me as "that girl"! Barack/Michelle seem to be real cool w/their humble pedigrees, in fact I found his self-deprecating "mut" statement refreshing. I’d much rather prefer that kind of realness in leadership AND friendship.

    Reply
  46. rikyrah Avatar
    rikyrah

    Monica, I had a hard time understanding why Michelle Obama didn’t rank good enough to get a post over there. You sort of couldn’t avoid it after he sealed the nomination. But, she got her post. All’s well that ends well…LOL

    Reply
  47. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    @MonicaThe reason he lost in TN is because they "white womaned" him. that infamous ad wa sa BIG deciding factor. Believe me it may not play well with Black women but it REALLY doesn’t play well with southern white males in particular and white southerners in general.There are still churches in TN you can’t attend if you’re black. All the republican ass kissing in the world isn’t going to get him an elected office…in the south at least…however…he may get an appointed one. Hmmm…I still can’t beleive he didn’t pass the bar. Talk about a disappointment.

    Reply
  48. rikyrah Avatar
    rikyrah

    I have to point out Ford marrying a white women was a political death knell not with Southern white people but with black women. Let’s not forget that support Obama received from black women because he married Michelle. Even with his qualifications, I truly don’t believe Obama would have made it out of the Illinois House of Representatives, if he had a white wife.I’ve said this for forever. Without Michelle, Barack Obama wouldn’t have made it to the U.S. Senate, let alone the White House. Plain and simple. Might be politically incorrect, but doesn’t make me wrong….LOLFord with his sense of entitlement, and his Republican a** kissing, will hold another elected political office.He might get an APPOINTED office, but elected office?Not unless he moves to another state. Personally, I could never get past that he hid Snowflake in the basement like the ‘Crazy Uncle’ during his Senate Campaign. Even with all his family problems (they’re as crooked as the day is long), simply put, if he’d had his OWN Michelle Obama, he’d be in the U.S. Senate right now. Straight up, no chaser.

    Reply
  49. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    @rikyrahHmm…I’d have to look at the numbers and see. I think he got the majority of the white vote. It wasn’t news that he liked white women…he’d called off his engagement to the pretty black lawyer some time before. So I think his lack of his Michele O. was less of an issue then his black skin in a very southern state…

    Reply
  50. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    that should read: I think he got the majority of the black vote.

    Reply

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