Talk:Boston Brahmin

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Is Boston Brahmin a pejorative term?

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[edit] Pejorative

I'd say almost, but no. The article says they coined the term for themselves, and people naturally have some distain for the born-wealthy. When I hear the word (and I live near Boston) it may or may not be used to imply contempt. Sort of like Yankee: it's all the context. To me, a Yankee is a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, a WASP. I am not of that privileged class being Irish and Italian, so I don't like the term being used inside New England. However, if a Southerner complains about the Yankees, or you hear the term Yankee Work Ethic in a national setting, then it is either an empowered word or a positive thing.

CSZero 20:21, 26 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Inbreeding

Would it be fair to call these families inbred? Youngamerican 20:45, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

  • There is a high degree of consanguinity among them. However, consanguinity among married couples is not rare...in any small community in the world, whether it be in England or China or Chad, many people will marry someone with whom they share a recent ancestor -- they just don't know it. The Boston Brahmin are a small community, its just that its a small community defined by shared culture and experience rather than town borders. Therefore, rather than say whether or not it would be "fair" to call Boston the Brahmin inbred, I'll say that it would be somewhat accurate but certainly not polite.◄HouseOfScandal►23:16, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Progressive Politics?

The article claims that Bostin Brahmins are traditionally politically progressive. That's simply inaccurate. I'm going to remove it. If you disagree, please explain. --Francisx 03:08, 3 February 2006 (UTC)

  • You are correct to disagree. At times the Brahmin will be socially or philosophically progressive or politically, especialy in the case of extraordinary individuals. But as a class, they are conservative. Example: During the 1930s, Sylvia Parson Weld visited her grandmother Anna in New York City and happened to mention that she planned to vote for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, earning herself a scathing rebuke. Sylvia then suggested that her grandmother's political guidance was predictable, because she had always supported the Republican Party. "No, I haven't!" the older woman burst out. "Only since McKinley!" Harvard Magazine, "The Welds of Harvard Yard" by associate editor Craig A. Lambert Classic. ◄HouseOfScandal►23:16, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pratts?

Should the Pratt-Romney clan be included here? They are descended from William Pratt, a prominent colonial soldier. Note Mitt was governor of Massachussetts66.72.215.225 21:12, 14 March 2007 (UTC)