While tossing about impressions of the characters in Fabulation or, The Re-education of Undine, we were struck by the characterization of the “BAP”, or Black American Princess, as represented, maybe not so much by Undine, but by her equally status-seeking, nouveau-rich friend Allison. But what is the stereotype of a BAP?
Tossed onto the desk of our Promotions Director came the clever, if tongue-in-check, book:
The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess (at amazon.com).This humorous slant by Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot, and Ginger Wilson looks at the definitions of the Black American Princess as:
1 : a pampered female of African American descent, born to an upper-middle or upper-class family;
2 : an African American female whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement;
3 : BAP (acronym) : colloquial expression; or
4 : an African American female accustomed to the best and nothing less.
A whimsical look into “BAP speak, BAP style, and BAP history,” the BAP Handbook, also includes lists of so-called BAP colleges, famous BAPs and a glossary (who doesn’t need to know the crème-de-la-crème of French phrases to toss about?).Our particular favorite feature? A break down of the leading “types” of BAPs:
Betty \’bede, ‘bete, -i\n., usually cap B [short for continuous betterment]: a. A BAP by birthright who strives for perfection in everything she undertakes. B. a BAP whose life expectations are based on a sense of entitlement. C. the Quintessential BAP.
Boho \‘’bo-ho\n. usually cap B [diminutive of bohemian]: a. a BAP by birthright who lives an unorthodox lifestyle. B. A funky-fresh sister with a decidedly unique if not outrageous approach to life. C. A majorette in her one-woman band.
Butterfly \ ‘be·ter·fli\n., usually cap B: A BAP who evolved from a dormant state at any point during her life. B. A BAP who is often presumed to be a Betty. A BAP who may protest the categorization.
We found this satirical book quite amusing, and hope you do too!
Tossed onto the desk of our Promotions Director came the clever, if tongue-in-check, book:
The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess (at amazon.com).This humorous slant by Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot, and Ginger Wilson looks at the definitions of the Black American Princess as:
1 : a pampered female of African American descent, born to an upper-middle or upper-class family;
2 : an African American female whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement;
3 : BAP (acronym) : colloquial expression; or
4 : an African American female accustomed to the best and nothing less.
A whimsical look into “BAP speak, BAP style, and BAP history,” the BAP Handbook, also includes lists of so-called BAP colleges, famous BAPs and a glossary (who doesn’t need to know the crème-de-la-crème of French phrases to toss about?).Our particular favorite feature? A break down of the leading “types” of BAPs:
Betty \’bede, ‘bete, -i\n., usually cap B [short for continuous betterment]: a. A BAP by birthright who strives for perfection in everything she undertakes. B. a BAP whose life expectations are based on a sense of entitlement. C. the Quintessential BAP.
Boho \‘’bo-ho\n. usually cap B [diminutive of bohemian]: a. a BAP by birthright who lives an unorthodox lifestyle. B. A funky-fresh sister with a decidedly unique if not outrageous approach to life. C. A majorette in her one-woman band.
Butterfly \ ‘be·ter·fli\n., usually cap B: A BAP who evolved from a dormant state at any point during her life. B. A BAP who is often presumed to be a Betty. A BAP who may protest the categorization.
We found this satirical book quite amusing, and hope you do too!
~Heather
Photo: Crystal Anne Dickinson, photo by Richard Anderson
