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Originally posted by NUPE4LIFE:
First I would just like to say that a person has the right to use whatever products they feel like using. Some people were brought up using a certain product and they've just stuck with it over the years. That goes for both black and white owned products. Second, I don't think that we should assume that just because we support a black product that means they're pumping money back into the black community. Nor do all white businesses take their money and give back to the white community. There are some black entreprenuers out their who are in business to solely make a buck. I say all of this to say, you never who's pumping money where. You never know, Paul Mitchell could have some sort of scholarship for minorities.
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There's merit in what you've said. Many black-owned businesses have the same cut-throat capitalistic attitude as those white businesses that daily exploit us. Some of the stuff I've seen FUBU sell(however nice) had a markup rate much higher than that of their white counterparts. They KNOW they would be a profitable business EVEN IF they sold their wares at K-Mart prices; and yet they go straight for our vains when they price their stuff. Many of the black-owned companies do the same thing. I think whenever we shop for anything, we shouldn't do it at a place that don't have our interests at heart; and I would't suggest supporting them. I do, however, think we should try our best to support thoses businesses that do what they can to help the community that keeps them in business. I don't think we should get bent out of shape over such details as what store you bought the products from though. Most black-owned companies are not as resourceful as their white counterparts; and therefore can't provide a long, wide product line. They don't have stores in every community of every state like their publicly-held competition does either. So I think whenever and however we can, we should support our own. I think that was the point Poplife was making, and I agree.