Black American Princess
Encyclopedia
Black American Princess (BAP) is a term that refers to black women of upper
and upper middle class
background, who possess (or are perceived to possess) a spoiled or materialistic
attitude.
The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess (ISBN 978-0767905503) written by Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot, and Ginger Wilson offers a behind-the-scenes look at BAP speech, style, and history. According to the guide, a Black American Princess is a pampered female of African American descent born to upper-middle- or upper-class families. Her life experiences give her a "sense of entitlement", and she is accustomed to the best and nothing less.
Stereotypically, young BAPs are often members of Jack and Jill
, a social and civic organization for upper-middle-class African American youth. BAPs usually then go on to attend a "black Ivy" university such as Spelman College
, Clark Atlanta University or Howard University
where they pledge either Alpha Kappa Alpha
or Delta Sigma Theta
sorority. BAPs often later become members of The Girl Friends, Inc. or The Links, Incorporated, and summer in black enclaves of Sag Harbor, New York
or Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
. Many BAPs have friends in a variety of organizations, include Sigma Pi Phi fraternity and the National Association of Guardsmen, Inc.
American Black Upper Class
The American Black Upper Class consists of African American professionals in fields such as law, medicine, business and entertainment that have incomes that amount to $100,000 or more...
and upper middle class
Upper middle class
The upper middle class is a sociological concept referring to the social group constituted by higher-status members of the middle class. This is in contrast to the term "lower middle class", which is used for the group at the opposite end of the middle class stratum, and to the broader term "middle...
background, who possess (or are perceived to possess) a spoiled or materialistic
Materialism
In philosophy, the theory of materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance...
attitude.
The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess (ISBN 978-0767905503) written by Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot, and Ginger Wilson offers a behind-the-scenes look at BAP speech, style, and history. According to the guide, a Black American Princess is a pampered female of African American descent born to upper-middle- or upper-class families. Her life experiences give her a "sense of entitlement", and she is accustomed to the best and nothing less.
Stereotypically, young BAPs are often members of Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill (organization)
Jack and Jill of America is an African American organization formed during the Great Depression. It was formed in 1938 by African American mothers with the idea of bringing together children in a social and cultural environment. Since then, it has evolved into one of the most well known women's...
, a social and civic organization for upper-middle-class African American youth. BAPs usually then go on to attend a "black Ivy" university such as Spelman College
Spelman College
Spelman College is a four-year liberal arts women's college located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman was the first historically black female...
, Clark Atlanta University or Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
where they pledge either Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
or Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
sorority. BAPs often later become members of The Girl Friends, Inc. or The Links, Incorporated, and summer in black enclaves of Sag Harbor, New York
Sag Harbor, New York
Sag Harbor is an incorporated village in Suffolk County, New York, United States, with parts in both the Towns of East Hampton and Southampton. The population was 2,313 at the 2000 census....
or Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,713 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 3,735 as of 2008...
. Many BAPs have friends in a variety of organizations, include Sigma Pi Phi fraternity and the National Association of Guardsmen, Inc.
External links
- "BAP Like Me" by Adrienne Crew, Salon.com
- "Would the Real African-American Princess Please Stand Up" by Derek Powell; review of a play on this topic