Let me preface this one by saying that all this stuff is just one woman's opinion. I don't want anyone who happens to read this to get too angry about what I have to say because I don't profess to be right about anything though I do believe in a right and wrong way of doing things and I also believe too many folks are trying to make wrong,right but that's a topic for another day. Today I want to talk about a subject near and dear to me, the state of my black people.
Okay so this is a worn out topic I know but I too have something to say on it so indulge me for a bit. First off let me say that we really have come a long way. We are judges, doctors,owners of fortune 500 companies. Some of us are still struggling but at least we know we can achieve if and when we want to. Now I know affirmative action is taking hits, hell lets face it affirmative action, if things continue to go as they have been,will be ancient history. Look at New Orleans, contracts going to out of state companies, people being shipped to destinations unknown without their consent and not given the assistance to return. Most of these people were my people, black people. I say if that wasn't a wake up call to find out how wealth is distributed, how we as a people can become a political force again, to support one another, then I don't know what it will take. A rewind to the glory days of slavery perhaps?
People my cousin is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. She started their first black sorority and was the first black president of her dorm. Why still all these firsts? Is it the MAN keeping us down or have we become complacent? Do we think the fight is really over?This is a country that thrives on putting some class of people down to raise another and the web is a complex one. It only starts with White over black. There are so called scientist who are still dedicating precious resources to comparing the intellect of one race vs. another with of course the African always being dead last. Should we be asking why they are doing this HELL NO we know why! Let us then ask who's paying for this bull. Who is so invested in keeping this bell curve ringing. My point is this we are asking the wrong questions. Here are my questions.....
1. What ever happened to the black owned business and why don't we support the ones we have?
1a. Why don't we join together to make these business ventures?
1b Why don't we have a hold on this tech industry by now are we too busy working for Bill Gates to become a Bill Gates?If there's a sister/brother out there trying to do this why don't we know who they are? Let me know who they are please.
3.Why in the world are we still buying gangsta rap? 50 cent is rich enough to start talking about something other than shooting someone or slang'n dope. Why can't these "brothas" rap about getting an education? Also if 50 and those like him are making millions imagine what David Geffen is worth.I personally don't want to support any more soul numbing music to make him and cats like him richer.
4. Can we vote please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4a. Can we educate ourselves about the political process ex. who we write to when we want our needs addressed,how we form groups (lobbies) to push our interest, and who do we have to pay (you heard me) to get something done in our towns. I know it's not suppose to come down to how much we're willing to pay but people mind where you live AND put your dollars to good use. I'm not talking about being unethical I'm talking about using all of our resources to benefit our people in an organized way.
5. Do we know our rights?
6. Are you a member of theN.A.A.C.P. or some similar organization and why or why not?
6a. Is the N.A.A.C.P. even relevant anymore? Are they helping to advance our people?
6b. Do you know what N.A.A.C.P. ( the letters) stand for?
I'll tell you, I am not a member of any such organization and it's starting to bug me. Yes I have gotten on my own nerves but I refuse to be a part of anything that isn't going to make a difference in the day to day lives of others. My fear is that the board meetings and benefit dinners have over shadowed the causes. But that does not excuse me from getting involved. After all in our chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. there is an award named after my aunt who died earlier this year. Her participation in this and other local groups, some of which she started, has lit a fire in me to be involved myself. This blog is a part of that.
And 7. Can we get it ourselves even if no one opens up the door? Can we pry open the door, kick the sucka off the hinges and sue the dude that nailed it shut if we need to. I think we can.
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1 comment:
I will take a stab at numbers one and two, if you do not mind.
#1, we were often in business because we had no choice. Pushed against a hard wall of disrespect and denial, many of us became business people. But also, too many of us found our supporters that we need for supplies and financing were all too ready to leave us, once "freedom" appeared on the horizon.
As we moved into the new economy of the post 1960's, more of us had dreams of the formally educated professional classes and did not want to take on the work of running a business. For those with dreams of joining the ranks of doctors, lawyers and accountants, there has to be a choice. It can be hard to get a MBA, JD, or doctorate if you have to put in a 12 hour day in your store. If there is not enough people willing to take turns, the strongest family-ran business will stumble.
Furthermore, there has to be a commitment to use one's skills in the family business. Sometimes, that desire is not evident.
In addition, many people were seduced into complacency by the opening of civil-service jobs. They filled in the gap after the loss of jobs for Blacks after the boom years of WWII and the factory jobs.
And there is the small fact that many of us felt it was an affront to not be able to shop where we pleased.
Then, like now, small businesses have a hard time competing on prices and hours. I make it a point to support local business, but I do pay more and I do go out of my way.
#2, it is hard for many people to get past their fears, so they are not willingly to take the leap and stay floating in mid-air for however long it takes to become solvent ion a business. It may take 3 years, may take 5, or even more. Not many people can or want to take that type of risk.
There is a certain type of comfort in knowing that there is guaranteed money and fixed hours on a job.
As Americans, we all want to do it "my way", not "our way" or "your way".
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