The BAP Handbook
The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess is a humor book released on June 21, 2001.[1] The book was written by friends Kalyn Johnson, Tracey Lewis, Karla Lightfoot, and Ginger Wilson, and published by Broadway Books.[2][3][4]
 first edition, 2001 | |
| Author |
|
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jane Archer |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Humor, nonfiction, Upper Class |
| Publisher | Broadway Books New York |
Publication date | June 5, 2001 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 214 |
| ISBN | 0-7679-0550-4 |
| OCLC | 45618259 |
It is described by its writers as a humor book intended to break stereotypes about African-American women, written in a tongue-in-cheek and satirical manner and targeted to women of all ages and backgrounds.[2][3][5]
Synopsis
editA Black American Princess (BAP) is described by the book's authors as "a pampered female of African-American descent, born to an upper-middle- or upper-class family...whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement...accustomed to the best and nothing less".[3][6] Other traits of BAPs are described as "[striving] for perfection in everything [they] do", as well as abiding by the "Nine Nevers", including never embarrassing their family, never wearing nail decals and never dating a man with a press and curl.[7][8] Examples of "BAP legends" are provided as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Marian Anderson and Zora Neale Hurston, with Ruth Simmons and Diahann Carroll listed as "current legends".[8]
Promotion
editThe BAP Handbook was promoted on a tour that visited Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Martha's Vineyard. MAC Cosmetics sponsored the book tour, based on the book's praise of the brand's lipsticks, and provided free makeovers.[5]
Reception
editCecelie S. Berry of The New York Times calls it "wise, witty counsel".[8] Lola Smallwood of the Chicago Tribune described it as being "mainly...about spoiled, pampered, upper-class women, who don't mind poking fun at themselves and drawing a line between the BAPs and the BAP-nots".[3] Criticism of the book from members of the African-American community has been noted, with it being called "elitist" and "promoting 'white' values". However, Tracey Lewis has stated the values put forward in the book were "learned from [their] parents and friends. In that sense, they are black values" and that the book is "not some great sociological work or commentary".[3]
References
edit- ^ Jones, Mondella S. (July 1, 2001). "The BAP Handbook: Review". Black Issues Book Review. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b Smallwood, Lola (August 13, 2001). "Are You A BAP? Here's Your Guide". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Smallwood, Lola (August 1, 2001). "A wry look at a new stereotype: Black American Princesses". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ^ Allen-Agostini, Lisa (August 13, 2001). "They wrote the book on how to be a BAP (Black American Princess)". Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ^ a b Allen-Agostini, Lisa (2001-07-30). "Four Black 'Princesses,' Royally Revved Up". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
- ^ Johnson, Kalyn; Lewis, Tracey; Lightfoot, Karla; Wilson, Ginger (2001). The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess. New York: Broadway Books. ISBN 0-7679-0550-4.
- ^ Crew, Andrienne (November 26, 2002). "BAP like me". Salon.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c Berry, Cecelie S. (August 5, 2001). "VIEW: The Fresh Princess Diaries". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
See also
edit
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