Gentry Redefined

Gentry: gen·try [jen-tree]
-noun
1.
wellborn and well-bred people.
2.
(in England) the class below the nobility.
3.
an upper or ruling class; aristocracy.
4.
those who are not members of the nobility but are entitled to a coat of arms, esp. those owning large tracts of land.
5.
(used with a plural verb) people, esp. considered as a specific group, class, or kind
6.
the state or condition of being gentleman.

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

The above definitions are a bit antiquated and do not reflect the modernized gentry class that will be discussed in this blog. However, my personal definition is just that. Personal. These are my opinions based on my experiences and by observing our ever-changing society. I am going to focus on people in New York City, particularly Brooklyn because, well, that's where I live. I will make broad generalizations and contradict myself throughout the blog. I will make statements without backing them up.

I will be talking about a new type of gentry, one that is a bit more vague, less noble, more urbane and more tolerant (or at least seemingly) of others. They are educated, worldly and (generally) liberal. They consist of people from all walks of life. Some are yuppies, some are hipsters, some defy classification. (The line between the two aforementioned groups is becoming thinner and thinner each day. That's why it is easier to just classify people into the two simple categories of gentry and non-gentry.) They are bankers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, artists, graphic designers, trustfunders, baristas (at that adorable place you get coffee at that has the most delectable scones and makes your organic soy latte just right), bartenders, scholars, non-profit employees, advertisers, shop owners (particularly quaint little places to buy artisinal soaps and candles if such things exist), etc. They are black, white, gay, straight, androgynous.

Today's gentry class obviously does not consist of middle-aged white men sitting around country clubs in navy blue blazers and khaki pants complaining about the government. They may, however be the children of those men who, much like their parents, like to sit around and complain about the government, but like to think they will actively change the government. They think globally and act locally*, are avid NPR listeners and New York Times readers. They are anti-corporate, anti-government, anti-(hell they're anti-everything) They believe in schooling and are supporters of the arts. They are atheist (or agnostic) but respect everyone's beliefs. They are diversity advocates but not necessarily in their proverbial backyards (although few if any would ever admit this prior to consuming two bottles of organic syrah from an African American woman winemaker.) Now you are saying to yourself. "He just described everyone in Park Slope/Carroll Gardens/Upper West Side/West Village/my own shitty section of town." Well yes I did. Yes I did. I will not even broach the subject of luxury baby strollers.

Of course there are members of the gentry class that are not nearly as self-righteous and hypocritical, but they're not as interesting to write about. More about them at a later time.

This blog is not just about the gentry and classes of people. It's about everything. I will share with you just about all my feelings and opinions on topics ranging from polygamy to methadone.

Welcome to Gentry or Not. Thanks for reading.


*No one actually does this.