A LETTER from Sowetan reader Peter Brachtis accusing the black middle class of being "insensitive" to the poor sparked a firestorm on our website.

"An emerging black middle class (has) moved into suburbia, drive flashy vehicles, dress well, earn substantial salaries ... the pain that their parents and grandparents endured conveniently forgotten," Brachtis wrote.

Leslie Mashishi vehemently disagrees with Brachtis: "Black people who are part of the middle class must be proud. Otherwise it would have been pointless to acquire an education and skills."

Flora Somo says the money government gives the poor "is taxpayers' money" and that is how the black middle class contributes to society.