Black American princess

Black American princess (BAP) is a (sometimes) pejorative term for African-American women of upper- and upper-middle-class background, who possess (or are perceived to possess) a spoiled or materialistic demeanor. While carrying "valley girl" overtones of the overly materialistic and style-conscious egotist,[1] 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 or black urban middle class.[2] At best, such figures carry with them through life a sense of civic pride, and of responsibility for giving back to their community.[3]

  1. ^ R. R. M. Coleman, African-American Viewers and the Black Situation Comedy 91998) p. 141
  2. ^ J. C. Smith, Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture (2010) p. 92
  3. ^ J. C. Smith, Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture (2010) p. 93