The Myth of Black Class Distinctions

In reading coverage of hurricane Katrina and the Millions More Movement I keep coming across references to there being a black lower, middle and upper class. I agree that upon first glance it may seem so. What they are actually referring to is differences in black income. Money is typically associated with class when such distinctions are made in the popular press.
Class is more than money. It is also association and control. Despite great riches blacks control very little land, hold little sway in fiscal and monetary governmental policy and own or manage none of the top banks and (while prolifigate content developers) mass media networks. Another example is racial gerrymandering. Blacks are not themselves drawing the demarcation lines between counties and congressional districts. These are functions of class that supercede money.
For there actually to be true class distinctions in the black community (not simply rich and poor blacks) some groups of blacks would have to exert a wholly disporportionate and precise influence on varied significant events. In short they would have to be in a position to decide the fate of capital and the legal and social enviroment in which it operates.