Interesting read. Could be summarized by this quote: "We divide first by class, and later by race" but it was quite interesting. A lot of detail and name dropping that maybe wasn't totally necessary, but I do agree with the author that this is a side of history that deserves to be known, so I thought it was worth the read. (I did a lot of pausing to google as I read when I wanted to know more about a person or place, and consider that a measure of how interesting the topic was overall.)

For me, the book's strength lies in its oral history interviews.

On the one hand, it's a fascinating look into a culture that I'll never be a part of. On the other hand, it was somewhat of a slog, as Mr. Graham talks about "everyone" who was a part of the black elite culture during the 20th century. It was a worthy slog. I learned about the many social clubs that most all of the black elite were a part of. So much socializing! If you're a member of 3 different social clubs, AND you go to church, AND your children are in Jack and Jill(basically, a social club for kids), AND community service, AND...career, you are very busy. The idea of such a busy social life starts my head spinning.
I am elite in no way, but I have much respect for the elite black community and their strength of mind, body and character to get to where they are despite the racist nonsense they have to deal with.

This is worthy of a bookclub discussion. I stumbled across this one while I was at the Upham's Corner Library in MA. I saw it there a couple of times. I decided to peruse through it and found that it might open my eyes and brain to another world I was not entirely knowledgable about. So with that said if you want to get an inside view of the so-called Black Elite/Old Guard/Black Greek and so forth...try reading "Our Kind of People". I think the opening to this Non-Fiction outline is well written and informed but then I feel that the information gathered and presented contradicts itself in many sections of the book. The author himself gets really caught in the names and lineage of this and that person. It is obvious that the concern is not clearly about those in need and helping or guiding them to be where they are i.e. Links, Boule, Girl Friends, Jack and Jill. It is more or less if you already exist in the circle or if you have the monetary means to be considered then you are worthy to them. My words to that "ridiculous and bull****". But I can appreciate in a weird way where they are coming from. Since the Black Elite have worked so hard to maintain themselves, their traditions and their families. I will still give the book a good reference as it opens the door for discussion on the perspective that I may have and the perspective of the author Mr. Lawrence Otis Graham and those in between. We are all of great worth in our own rights and it is a shame that other blacks would think otherwise. The most important piece that I have taken from this early on in the beginning 5 chapters is that we as blacks should never feel that we cannot accomplish that of what white people have. We should never be ashamed of our accomplishments and should continue forward on an upward path all the while knowing where we come from. We are just as smart (if not smarter) and or as wealthly as them. It may be harder, however we do have culture, we have invented, we have created, we did not steal. We have earned so much. The sad part is that their "WE" in Our Kind of People does not include all blacks. You have to be a certain skin tone or have to have a certain lineage or certain connection to the social organizations... PLEASE READ and discuss. Areas of reference Washington DC, New York, Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee.

Graham certainly deserves credit for cataloging and bringing awareness to a distinct social class. He was one of the first authors to manage to create a book on the subject, so I'll applaud him for being innovative at least.

However, I found this book to be fairly lacking. It mostly just consists of dry lists of various organizations, sororities, camps, and schools, with fairly simple anecdotes from people who encountered these social institutions.

Graham experienced so many of the things he writes about, but he barely touches on his own thoughts and feelings on the subject. And there's not really much introspection into the idea of black people chasing the white social structures that directly contributed to and benefited from racism. Everyone basically just says "if white elites can do it, why can't black elites?" and then blithely goes on with all their condescension and exclusion towards poorer black people.

Altogether, this book was missing the academic analysis or personal connection found in other similar books like Margo Jefferson's Negroland. There's nothing to grip you and pull you into the story, and there's nothing to encourage you to thoughtfully consider the presented facts.

This was a very enlightening look at a subset of culture I didn't know existed. Sport stars and entertainers don't count -- wealthy, privileged black Americans have contributed greatly to the fabric of our country, yet the media rarely features them.

I actually read this some years ago, but mention it now because I just finished Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns, and there were a couple of references to the black society clubs Our Kind of People details, so I glanced at this again. I also think this book is an interesting complement to the other, because it makes you realize that the struggle for many was not always the struggle for all. This is both good and bad, but important to understand if we are to continue to make progress in race relations as people of the world.

Unfortunately, the author's style of writing makes this book a little tedious at times. Look beyond that and go deeper into the story he's trying to tell. Research the people he references, note their accomplishments.

Not what I expected

I purchased this book immediately after reading it was going to be a series with 2 of my favorite actors. I was expecting a novel. While it was an educational read and interesting , it was not my style of reading. So I was a bit disappointed. I will do more research in the future before choosing a book.

I read this in the 1990s I was so clueless that I didn't know that there were well off African-Americans even in the Jim Crow days. No group is a monolith, Duh. Interesting history on the overlooked and relatively privileged black upper crust. Good tale and a reminder not to stereotype.

As Graham explains near the end of his exploration of the black elite, to ignore the reality of class differences amongst African Americans is to ignore a vital and important part of our history. We must remain blissfully aware of the struggles and history that led to a small, but very real black elite. And we also must celebrate it. The book also serves as a challenge towards members of the black elite. Graham does not whitewash any of the communities he visits and points out their flaws that often emerge from class prejudice towards other blacks. Although the book was published in 2000, it still has an urgent and impactful message that warns of the potential dangers of the continued process of integration and civil rights activism. This is best exhibited through the last chapter, which focuses on the harmfulness of colorism and “passing”. Graham pointed out back in 2000 that it was an issue becoming less relevant in the modern black community, but he also points out there will always be the temptation to “pass”, which is certainly true for modern-day African-Americans living in even the most liberal cities as interracial relationships/friendships continue to be normalized. As African Americans continue to make slow, but incremental economic progress – there will always be the temptation to “pass”. We must never forget where we came from or who we truly are, while also being unabashedly unashamed of our heritage.

Reading this book was both intriguing and tedious because I wasn't 100% sure about the inner workings of the black elite, although I have been in those spaces. After reading this book, I was left with a sour taste in my mouth, although still intrigued. The writing seemed to drag on at times even though there was obviously an interesting narrative at the heart of this story. Illustrates that clearly there is a sort of color barrier among the black elite and even worse. There's an ability barrier : you are a disabled person. Good luck even trying to get into these spaces. Space is essentially hoarding their resources money connections that's what gets you in.

Okay, I'm not completely finished with this, but I will come back to it. I found it fascinating! I did feel my ignorance at the number of names I didn't recognize at all. There is so much for me to learn. I got more than halfway through this and had to return it to the library. I will request it again to explore more. I've also been surprised by things mentioned that I now see popping up around me. Were they always there? how did I miss them? A call to open my eyes and wake up!

Extremely informative. If you curious as to how a lot of us Black people actually live, this is a must read. This is a part of our actual culture that is not publicized on MSM at all. Had a like little gossip as well. But for the most part, it's a telling of how much we have actually sacrificed and contributed to our culture, but to the country as well.