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Black People and Cadillacs
Using economics to combat racism
When I was a teenager, it was a common perception that Black people loved their Cadillacs.
Some of my Black friends’ parents had them, and television and movies regularly featured Black people and their Cadillacs.
Pioneering Black comedian Moms Mabley featured Cadillacs in her jokes.
Iconic comedian Redd Foxx drove one.
Even today, Black millennials are 57% more likely to drive a Cadillac, compared to other races, according to a 2018 study from the Marketer’s Guide to African American Millennials.
The Escalade, Cadillac’s luxury sports utility vehicle, remains a favorite among many in the Black community.
Outkast entered the Super Bowl LIII halftime show in a classic Cadillac convertible.
Snoop Dogg has one, too.
Rich Boy’s 2006 hit, “Throw Some D’s,” contains a proud line, “Just bought a Cadillac.”
I thought it was just a weird stereotype in the 1970s and 80s, but it turns out Black people didn’t come to love the car by accident.
Cadillac debuted in 1903 as General Motors’ top luxury car.
