Family Quote by Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor
““Quiet as it's kept, there is a certain type of "upper class" white folks who don't use "colored help" at all. In fact, household labor is a segregated occupation. A Lancashire-born (English) butler, asked if he had encountered many black men and women in his 20 years of service, said reflectively, "I can't think of one I worked with. On one job we had Italian cook, an Irish kitchen man, a French lady's maid, an English butler, and an English parlormaid." The upper echelon's household staff is 99-99/100% white.””
About This Quote
Upper‑class white households historically employ almost exclusively white staff, revealing systemic racial segregation in domestic labor.
In simple terms: Domestic work is racially segregated.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge racial inequities in employment.
Themes
racism
class
labor
segregation
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
analysis
social commentary
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- diversity hiring
- community education
- advocacy
Key Concepts
social stratification
intersectionality
historical labor patterns
Questions to Reflect On
- How can hiring practices become more inclusive?
- What historical factors sustain this segregation?
A Different Perspective
Change requires systemic overhaul, not just individual awareness.
