Too Black and Not Black Enough, Classism and the Untold Tale of Two Black Cities

Yesterday, charges were dropped against Harvard professor and W.E.B. DuBois Institute director, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. who was arrested for disorderly conduct when he complained about the actions of Cambridge, Mass. law enforcement for obvious racial profiling activities. Just back from working on a documentary in China, Gates was identified as a possible suspect when an officer passing by his residence noticed the lauded African-American scholar and his driver attempting to unhinge a jammed front door.

After the “misunderstanding” was somewhat cleared up, an upset Gates expressed his disappointment, which led to him being taken into custody. Resultantly, the Harvard community was in an uproar once word of the incident spread. The “liberal” reputation that the small enclave of Harvard Square happily touted was now receiving a downpour of what some saw as undeserved criticism.

The Gates case has added to the blatant events of racism that are reawakening the grave race issue in America. This dialogue is shadowing the era of Obama where a cry of a post-racial conscious had been celebrated by many idealists, but seen as a dangerous delusion by those who knew better to jump too soon.

However, there is a troubling fissure in this dialogue and debate. Another serious issue that is being swept under the rug is class issues in the African-American community.

Several months ago, a burgeoning female scholar by the name of Chanequa Campbell, who hails from Brooklyn, NY, was kicked out of her campus dormitory and not allowed to graduate for her association to a murder suspect. More specifically, she was the friend of the suspect’s girlfriend. The confusing part of this case is that while Campbell was banned and not allowed to graduate, the suspect’s girlfriend, Brittany Smith did graduate and is allowed on campus grounds.


Campbell, who says she is from a poor family and was not part of the black elite student circle, has pointed out that it is because of her socio-economic status that she was treated in such a way, and without the support of black Harvard students or faculty. The silence of black Harvard in the case of Campbell drastically contrasting the racket made in support of Gates illuminates the serious class issues that have caused serious boiling points in the African-American community.

Gates is an established historian known most recently for his documentary, “African American Lives,” a series that connects noted African-Americans back to their complex lineages such as Oprah Winfrey, Tina Turner, and Morgan Freeman. He is at the zenith of his career. He has achieved what many scholars dream.

On the other hand, Chanequa Campbell was at the beginning of her academic journey. She too has been praised for her academic success, but since her dismissal, her whole life trajectory is questionable. At a time when Campbell needed the utmost guidance and support from black Harvard faculty and peers, she was quietly disregarded, suggesting that her less-than-desirable background would possibly mar the reputation of blacks on campus.

Though many do not like to acknowledge the classism in African-American communities, it is prevalent throughout the group. It is a hideous historical social construct that is determined by more than wealth, but also skin color and hair texture (espcially for women), education level, and sadly how distant is one’s slave lineage.

Ironically, Gates, who in his African-American heritage series repeatedly points out the “white ” blood in him, so much so, that he smiles in delight when a DNA scientist tells him that he has more white blood than black, is nothing but black when the police come. Yet he is not “too” black to be rallied and insulated by the black and white Harvard community. Yet Campbell, with her Brooklyn roots, who is a darker, young woman with blatant West African features, is too black, even for black Harvard.

Like in the days of DuBois, who was proud of his European ancestry (Dutch and French) and his Massachusetts roots from a community of free people of color who were educated and reasonably prosperous; his pedigree, which also included his physical characteristics, were perfect for the black elite of that time. DuBois’ elitist ideology was so heavy a belief that he campaigned for blacks to support his vision of the “Talented Tenth” or a group of black intelligentsia that would further the black race and lead the rest of the group. This idea was heavily contested by other thinkers and black activists of the time, but the idea and practice of an insulated, crème de la crème, black circle still remains.

It is not surprising that Gates’ (or should I say gatekeeper's) name has been saved, and in some eyes, has been elevated, while someone like Campbell, who could’ve been the next Gates or Oprah, or perhaps furthered his work, is now forgotten.

****RETRACTION*****When I wrote this article, I pulled a write up from the NY Post that said in a May 25, 2009 report, Brittany Smith was not barred from campus. However, in a Newsweek report I saw yesterday, Smith was not allowed to graduate like Campbell.