How did the stereotype that Black people want to drive Caddilacs get started?
That’s a good question. I always figured it was an extension of the idea that Cadillacs were the most prestigious car, the “cadillac” of automobiles, if you will. The most obvious status symbols would naturally be appealing to people desiring to move up in society. So if someone drove a cadillac, it would earn them a little “instant respect” for making a good living.
Here’s my theory. I hope I don’t step on any toes with this one.
Joe Whiteguy makes a bunch of money. He wants to make sure everyone else knows that he made a bunch of money. He buys a big old house. (Or a big new house)
Joe Blackman makes a bunch of money. He wants to make sure everyone else knows that he made a bunch of money. He tries to buy a big old house. (Or a big new house) However, in decades past, racist real estate dealers wouldn’t sell houses in “nice” neighborhoods to people of color. Additionally, Joe Blackman might not be too thrilled at the prospect of moving into a neighborhood in which he would stand out so much. Because of this, he is forced to show off his wealth by spending a lot of money on his car.
Just a theory.
Am I supposed to believe that all this rain was suspended in mid-air until moments ago?
I don’t know how the stereotype started, but I read a funny story in James Brown’s autobiography.
James and his band toured the south in the 1950’s and were pretty successful. They were able to afford a Cadillac, but not one with air conditioning. To make people think they had air conditioning, they would cruise around the neighborhood with all of the windows rolled up. They would be sweating like crazy but didn’t dare crack a window an inch.
That just really makes me laugh.
Well, what car is it today?
“‘How do you know I’m mad’ said Alice.
'You must be, ’ said the Cat, ‘or you wouldn’t have come here.’”
I think the equivalent vehicle today would be a BMW.
Saxface’s story reminds me of one. William Bennet said that during his days as poor guy (1960s, I believe) he had a really cheap run-down vehicle. So cheap, that when he was driving in the North, northern teenagers assumed he must have been a Southern hick, and shouted comments to that effect.
Upon reaching the South, southern teenagers assumed the owner of the car was black, and shouted comments to that effect. So I guess you’re better off driving a classy car wherever you go…
Regrettably, I cannot find the quote or who said it, but it goes something like this:
“I may not be able to buy a house, but GM will sell me a car any day.”
With pervasive racism preventing newly affluent black people from buying property, cars were the way to go if you wanted to display your wealth. Hope someone can find who said the above and when.
Of course, there was always PONTIAC. Just ask someone who grew up in the South what that was supposed to stand for.
What does it stand for?
“Poor Old Nigger Thinks It’s A Cadillac”
I used to suffer through hearing my grandfather say that one all the time.