''Black American princess'' (''BAP'') is a (sometimes)

pejorative A pejorative or slur is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or a disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, or disregard. Sometimes, a ...

term for African-American women of upper- and

upper-middle-class In sociology, the upper middle class is 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 strat ...

background, who possess (or are perceived to possess) a spoiled or materialistic demeanor. While carrying "

valley girl A valley girl is a socioeconomic, linguistic, and youth subcultural stereotype and stock character originating during the 1980s: any materialistic upper-middle-class young woman, associated with unique vocal and California dialect features, ...

" overtones of the overly materialistic and style-conscious egotist, the term has also been reclaimed as a matter of racial pride to cover an indulged, but not necessarily spoiled or shallow, daughter of the emerging

buppies Tatyana Marisol Ali is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' from 1990 to 1996. She starred as Tyana Jones on the TV One original series '' Love That Girl!'', a ...

or black urban middle class. At best, such figures carry with them through life a sense of civic pride, and of responsibility for giving back to their community.J. C. Smith, ''Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture'' (2010) p. 93

History

The term can be rooted back to the end of segregation. After segregation ended, black children were put into predominantly white schools, and were able to take advantage of the opportunities they were given. The BAP stereotype can be seen as linked to the "

dumb blonde Blonde stereotypes are stereotypes of blonde-haired people. Sub-types of this stereotype include the " blonde bombshell" and the "dumb blonde". Blondes are stereotyped as more desirable, but less intelligent than brunettes. There are many blo ...

" stereotype associated with white women.

Culture

Stereotypically, younger BAPs are often members of

Jack and Jill "Jack and Jill" (sometimes "Jack and Gill", particularly in earlier versions) is a traditional English nursery rhyme. The Roud Folk Song Index classifies the commonest tune and its variations as number 10266, although it has been set to severa ...

, a social and civic organization for upper-middle-class African-American youth. BAPs usually then go on to attend a " black Ivy" institution, mainly

Spelman College Spelman College is a private, historically black, women's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman re ...

Hampton University Hampton University is a private, historically black, research university in Hampton, Virginia. Founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School, it was established by Black and White leaders of the American Missionary Association af ...

, or

Howard University Howard University (Howard) is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commissi ...

, where many of them join either Alpha Kappa Alpha or

Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta ...

sorority. BAPs often later become members of The Girl Friends, Inc. or

The Links, Incorporated The Links is an American invitation-only social and service organization of prominent Black women in the United States. Founded in 1946, it is the largest nationwide organization of Black women in the USA. Members include multiple prominent wome ...

, and pass in black enclaves of

Sag Harbor, New York Sag Harbor is an incorporated village in Suffolk County, New York, United States, in the towns of Southampton and East Hampton on eastern Long Island. The village developed as a working port on Gardiner's Bay. The population was 2,772 at the ...

, or

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts Oak Bluffs is a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,341 at the 2020 United States Census. It is one of the island's principal points of arrival for summer tourists ...

. Many BAPs have friends in a variety of organizations, include

Sigma Pi Phi Sigma Pi Phi (), also known as The Boulé, founded in 1904, is the oldest fraternity for African Americans among those named with Greek letters. The fraternity does not have collegiate chapters and is designed for professionals at mid-career or o ...

fraternity and the National Association of Guardsmen, Inc.

Cultural depictions

'' The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess'', 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. The 1997 comedy ''

B.A.P.S. ''B.A.P.S'' (an acronym for '' Black American Princesses'') is a 1997 American female buddy comedy film directed by Robert Townsend and starring Halle Berry, Natalie Desselle, and Martin Landau. The film was written by Troy Byer and was her f ...

'' depicts a pair of women ( Halle Berry and

Natalie Desselle Natalie Ann Desselle-Reid (July 12, 1967 – December 7, 2020) was an American actress who performed in several films, including ''B.A.P.S.'', ''Def Jam's How to Be a Player'', '' Set It Off'' and ''Cinderella'', and the television series '' Buil ...

) who become "BAPs" living off a millionaire's money. The character of Hillary Banks (played by

Karyn Parsons Karyn Parsons Rockwell (born October 8, 1966) is an American actress, author and comedian. She is best known for her role as Hilary Banks on the NBC sitcom ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' from 1990 to 1996. Parsons also starred in the 1995 film ' ...

) from '' The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'' is a stereotypical "BAP".

In other cultures

Princess sickness Princess sickness, alternatively known as princess complex, princess syndrome or princess disease ( Vietnamese: ''bệnh công chúa''; ; ko, 공주병; Revised Romanization: ''gong ju byeong''), is a neologism used colloquially in East and Southe ...

, China and South Korea * *

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants In the United States, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants or WASPs are an ethnoreligious group who are the White Americans, white, American upper class, upper-class, Protestantism in the United States, American Protestant historical elite, typically ...

References

External links