The 5 types of black British women in the U.K. under the age of 35

Previously, I wrote a blog post about the 5 types of black British men in the U.K. under the age of 35, and it received a lot of attention. Both positive and negative. Either way, it started a conversation around the different identities of black British men in the U.K.

So, since I believe in equality, I have written an article examining the 5 types of black British women under the age of 35.

Disclaimers (in case someone says I must be cancelled now):

• This article is my opinion and my own lived experience growing up in London and having spoken to and been around black women all my life. Therefore, you have every right to disagree with it. Feel free to post a comment if you want to express your views.

 

• This is not an attack on black women. As a black cultural observer and writer, I analyse black British culture. Being black British myself, I not only have the right to do this, but I am in the best position to do it.

 

• None of the types of black women I have described are superior or inferior than the other. I am simply describing the different identities of black women I have come across in the UK. Nothing more.

 

• Lastly, I am describing black women under the age of 35 as this is the age range I am most associated with as a millennial.

​
With all that out of the way, let’s get to it.
 
1. Hood black women (also known as ratchet girls)

The ratchet or hood black woman are admittedly not excellent terms to describe these types of black women in Britain. But I can’t really think of any other word. The ratchet or hood black woman is almost the equivalent of the roadman but not quite. She may date a roadman, do favours for them or simply have them in her social circle. Still, she isn't usually stabbing people or selling drugs, although they are exceptions. 

While stereotypically associated with South London, although they can be found in any part of London, the ratchet or hood black woman love going to very hood clubs (often these parties have a very heavy Caribbean influence) and usually smoke weed. They can sometimes be overly aggressive with their I-don’t-take-any-shit attitude. They’re unapologetically sexual but also very tough and resourceful women since they often come from working-class backgrounds.  Most of these types of black women wear very colourful weaves, long fingernails, tight outfits, and fluffy sliders from boohoo.com. They are bold, loud and proud.

Examples: Some of the black girls on bkchat London, Stefflon Don (her brand anyway)

2. Urban black women

The urban black woman is like a middle-class black woman. But what separates them is that the urban black woman is still very connected to black urban or hood culture. However, she is too academically accomplished and financially well-off to be considered a ratchet or hood black woman.

Urban black women are incredibly aspirational, so often excel in corporate jobs and have degrees. And these traits are the only similarities they share with middle-class black women.

Outside of their jobs, an urban black woman will predominately have black friends (even close friends who are hood girls or roadmen). She only really listens to black urban music (afrobeats, drill, R'n'B, etc.) and will often attend classier black parties. Although, sometimes you could find her at a hood party as well.

Despite earning an impressive salary in some cases or having an education that would technically make them middle-class, urban black women often have similar tastes to black hood women but they wouldn’t necessarily date a roadman although they exclusively date black men, but these black men have a certain calibre or status.

Urban black women are a lot more refined and classier in the way they talk and present themselves than black hood women.

Examples:  ZeZe Millz, Maya Jama

3. Middle-class black women or black women with middle-class interests

Sometimes, the only way to distinguish the difference between an urban black woman and a middle-class black woman is to look at their interests outside of work. Both of them appear remarkably similar at first: aspirational, financially well-off and educated.

Whereas the urban black woman predominantly consumes typical black culture entertainment and most of her social circle are other black people, a middle-class black woman is more fluid in terms of her interests. This particular type of black women probably attends art museums, jazz cafes, listens to alternative music genres and has a diverse range of friends. From my experience, middle-class black women will often have many middle-class white friends.


In terms of their dating preferences, again speaking anecdotally, I tend to find middle-class black women often date outside their own race. Urban black women will exclusively date black men, but a middle-class black woman is a lot more open in her dating preferences.

Lastly, you most likely won't find a middle-class black woman at an urban or hood party although she may attend occasionally. They don't tend to be party girls, and if they do go out to shake a leg, it's often at bars playing a diverse range of music. Their fashion sense is a lot more reserved and elegant than that of a hood black woman and less overly sexual than what an urban black woman might wear.

Examples:  Candice Carty-Williams (author of Queenie)

4. Super creative and liberal black women

The super creative and liberal black woman is like the middle-class black women in that her tastes aren’t exclusively black, and neither is her social circle.

But where she differs from the middle-class black woman is that she is exceptionally creative. Very rebellious,  creative and liberal black women often engage in pursuits and hobbies that would be considered too extreme or ‘out there’ for the hood, urban and even middle-class black women.

Often these black women's fashion sense is very eccentric and influenced by other styles outside of black culture. These types of black women might really be into gaming, anime, or hobbies that are associated with different subcultures. Even their choice of occupation is often highly creative such as being actors, writers, or painters.

Examples: Michaela Coel

5. Highly religious black women

The highly religious black woman can be working class or middle class and can either be academically brilliant or not. Often a strict Christian, a highly religious black woman is God-fearing, and many of the decisions they make are guided by their religious beliefs.

They are quite conservative in nature, and so it's doubtful you will find them at a club or twerking at any party. Usually, these women often strive for a stable and traditional life. Their social group is based around people with similar values to themselves, so they do not always exclusively socialise with black people. However, many choose to have predominately black friends because they share a similar experience and understanding of Christianity. 

Examples: Couldn’t think of any well-known examples but you’ll find many of these young black women at any predominately black church

Conclusion

Everyone is obviously an individual, and the above groups are just my own personal broad categories based on my 30 years of growing up in London around many black women. As I mentioned earlier, if you have an opinion, then feel free to leave your comments below and let’s engage in a conversation. 

​