Quote:
Originally posted by 1 Woman of Virtue:
Actually, if you look at the Latino community, you find an excellent example for why you are about %95 mistaken. They may speak the same language, but they have as many different cultures, as there are Latino countries. They very wisely galvanized around the one thing that unified them--language. Not to mention the fact that they do come from a capitalistic system. Look at Asians. Yeah, you have China towns, little Korea's etc. but no matter how many different countries are represented, they would support another Asian before they would support you. Reality is much different than the lecture hall, and the reality is that many Black people will make every excuse for why they can't follow this model, or that model. The reality is also that before most of us were scrambling to get into the White man's neighborhoods, we had thriving businesses. We had our own laundry mats, banks, funeral parlors, dentists, insurance agencies, clinics, schools, etc. All of the things that make up a viable community. So let's not pretend that economic models that are working brilliantly for others can not work for us. We've already shown that they do! Let's try to be about the spirit of Sankofa and look to the past to reclaim the eggs that can push us into the future. Let's try doing research on our recent history pre-integration, and see how succesful we were (albeit still suffering the pangs of discrimination!) in a time when Black men were openly hanged for looking at White women. If we could do it then, why is it that we spend time discussing why we can't do it now??? Asians and Latinos could function very, VERY well outside of their own groups, the fact is they choose not too. That is why they are successful and we are still struggling. I don't mean to sound angry, so please excuse the tone of this post if it comes across that way. It's just really hard to see my people take such a lackadasical(sp?) attitude when it comes to our future.
[This message has been edited by 1 Woman of Virtue (edited June 29, 2001).]
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I remember my grandfather telling me of self sufficient Black communities in each city. One of note that many know of is Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK. I don't think that anyone can possibly take this lightly. The indoctrination with capitalist thinking so pervades, that it seems nearly impossible for some to fathom sole reliance on the BOB.
The quality and prices of these businesses is are truly the things most striking to the nay-sayers. Additionally, in some areas, it is almost impossible to find a BOB of note. I'm currently in Pittsburgh, and its truly a struggle for me.
But its now time to consider a strategy. Since I can't patronize many here, I choose to patronize those afar over the Internet. I think that is in an excellent point to turn this discussion.
Since there is much ado about color in whom we support, what can we NOW do to direct more of our personal and collective dollars into Black-owned hands? How can we each contribute to seeing a revitalization of quality BOBs?
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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)
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