The black family dynamic has always been complex, but one thing that has and always will remain a staple in the black community are our aunts. Where would we be without our aunties? Aunts are a part of the glue that keeps black families together. The best part is that although everyone's family is different, most of us still have the same type of aunties somewhere in our family. Here are 17 different types of aunties you can find in black families. Don't worry, we love them all.
1. The Cool Auntie
Dope as hell. She's always traveling and brings you a gift from every place she visits. She doesn't have any kids so she treats you and your cousins like her own. She lives in the city and is always on the go. She's been with her man for 10 years, but they still aren't married and she isn't really pressed about it either.
2. The Bougie Auntie
Went to college and has at least two degrees. She's probably Greek. Lives in the suburbs, and drives a Benz. She married well and lives a pretty fortunate life. The person everybody in the family asks for money; she's tired of them asking but she gives it to them every time. Her kids go to private school and really be out here wildin', but she doesn't know. Slightly jealous that nobody ever wants her to make the potato salad (or the macaroni and cheese).
3. The Extra Auntie
Always trying to outdo everyone, and is always bragging on her kid's accomplishments to make people jealous. She's actually really fun when she gets drunk. Is insecure because her life didn't turn out the way she wanted it to so she vicariously lives through her children. She's a trustee at the church. Usually jealous of Bougie Auntie and is silently competing with her. Her stories are usually exaggerated. Always crying to Saved Auntie about man troubles.
4. The "Mama" Auntie
Took over as the matriarch of the family when grandma died. She makes some bomb potato salad. She had kids young and never really left home. Secretly jealous that bougie auntie got to go to college and she didn't, even though she would never tell her that. Always makes sure her brothers and sisters are taken care of and well fed.
5. The Saved Auntie
Used to be in these streets, but is now living for the Lord. She may have married a preacher. Doesn't listen to anything but Gospel music in her house. People are afraid to say anything in front of her cause she's so holy. If you spend the night at her house on the weekends, she makes you and your cousins go to Sunday school and service. She loves T.D. Jakes and Tyler Perry plays. She secretly keeps a stash of wine coolers in the outside refrigerator.
6. The Shady Auntie
She knows everything about everybody in the family. She calls your mama up just to tell her the latest family gossip, and somehow in the process, finesses your mom out of all of y'all's tea too. She will read anyone for filth so stay on her good side. Messy, but you love it as long as you aren't in the line of fire. Loves to throw shade every chance she gets (especially if the potato salad is nasty), but if you don't pay attention, you may not catch her shade.
7. The "Never Would've Made It" Auntie
She is always going through it, but she loves the Lord and faithfully goes to church. Every time it seems like things are gonna fall through, everything works out in her favor. She's always trying to keep her sons out the streets and in the books. She's a single mother. She has a stable CNA job to make ends meet, but bougie auntie helps her out too from time to time. Everybody knows she's going through it, but doesn't mention it because they're just happy she came. Mama auntie always send her home with extra plates. Her sons are her kings.
8. The White Auntie
Married into your family (your uncle may or may not be cheating on her). Still hasn't gotten the hang of doing your little cousin's hair so she be looking a mess sometimes, but you commend her for trying. She's cool for real, but your older aunties still refer to her as "the white girl Earl married."
9. The Favorite Auntie
Everybody's favorite auntie. Always has the best cookouts and parties at her house. She's been married to your uncle for 25 years and they have a great life. Her husband is a grill master. The only person that can out-shade shady auntie. Always calls to check up on you. Probably the only auntie that still remembers to give you a Christmas gift. She and her husband love to travel. Can throw down in the kitchen, and makes some bomb sweet potato pie.
10. The Homegirl Auntie
She's usually the youngest aunt in the family. She's cool AF. You can talk to her about all the things you don't want to talk to your mom about. She sticks up for you when your mom is coming for you. She'll still tell on you if she thinks what you're doing is endangering yourself or your health. She lets you drink with her.
11. The Auntie That Lives Out Of State
Moved out of state for college, and never looked back. You only see her every two to three years. She's successful and funny AF. She's never brought a man with her when she visits, but nobody asks any questions. She does always bring her roommate with her, and of course, Shady Auntie has a field day because of it. She always has fun stories to tell you and your cousins. She encourages you to get out of your hometown and go see the world.
12. The Successful Auntie
Your auntie who did everything she said she was gonna do in life plus more. She refuses to age, and is the definition of "black don't crack." Has a personal trainer and encourages everyone to start working out and loving their body. She still sneaks slices of Favorite Auntie's sweet potato pie home. Keeps a young tenderoni on her arm. Always in a business meeting so don't even think about calling and asking her for money.
13. The Conscious Auntie
She may have been a Black Panther at one point. She has a Ph.D. She teaches African American studies courses. Loves burning incense in her house. Doesn't eat red meat; used to be vegan, but that was too much for her. She's always telling you the things that "the white man doesn't want you to know." Gets into it with Saved Auntie a lot because Saved Auntie isn't trying to hear all that. Main person to call White Auntie "the white girl Earl married." And she smokes a little Mary Jane every once in a while, but no one judges her because it totally goes with her personality.
14. The "Single & Ready To Mingle" Auntie
Your auntie that is always just getting out of a relationship…and wasting no time trying to get into a new one. She got married young to her kids' father, but it didn't work out and she's been a serial dater ever since. She's gorgeous, but complains there are no good men left out there. Shady Auntie just says she just can't keep a man. At this point, she's turning into a cougar. Really just wants love, but she'd rather pretend she's having fun. She probably does hair.
15. The Auntie That Thinks She Still Got It
Always telling you how she used to have it (in her mind she still has it). Loves pulling out pictures from her early 20s. Loves to dance at the function, especially in soul train lines. Don't offer her a dancing partner over 40 because she wants "one of them young boys." She really was pretty back in the day, but she won't let you forget it. She loves Hennessy.
16. The Drunk Auntie
She's always drinking, and the more you think about it, you can't remember the last time you've seen her truly sober. She requests "Down Home Blues" at every family function. She's pretty, but life and cheap vodka has taken its toll on her. She can be really embarrassing, but you still love her because she keeps the get togethers entertaining.
17. The Great Grand Auntie
One of the oldest living in the family, everyone's happy she's still alive and doing well. Gets honored at all the family reunions. Everyone is secretly trying to get her homemade biscuit recipe before it's too late. She has great stories about your parents and grandparents growing up. She can be kind of forgetful, but always remembers to throw a little shade. She always slips you a few dollars. Loves seeing the whole family together.
Who are some of the aunties in your family? Let us know in the comments below.
