The Next Level

[RBL]

I agree with what has been posted also, but the black middle class has to reach back. All organizations, just not Greek, has to get involved with the community. I live in a relatively small town so I see the "hands off" approach with most of the poorer blacks in our town. Volunteerism, mentoring programs, monitoring education, and challenging the faith communities to exercise their beleifs and responsibilities to the community. That should be our next level.

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by TonyB06
I agree with what's been said; particulary with Professor's take on voting, but it goes beyond that..

We need to build alliances around our strengths, not just our race (because, contrary to popular belief, we DON'T all think alike). To the extent possible we need to build alliances around our religious (church) and professional endeavors (associations of Black XYZ) and personal interests (Black investment clubs, etc...). These translate into economic power, which creates a progress agenda that translates into political power.

I think these are regional at best, because we're affected by different geographical, and to a lesser degree cultural forces.

No disrespect intended, but that's why I think some national orgs, such as NAACP are less effective than they once were. Solutions have to begin where the problems manifest most acutely --- at the local level. National mandates don't work as well in this day and time. (If you have strong NAACP-type chapter where you are, great; but that's not the case here, so other organizations have to take the leadership role.)

Once our economic/social development house is in order, politicians and political parties (both D and R) will see us as the force we should be and not as they do today.

peace.

Tony,
I tend to disagree with your approach. I understand you to be saying that we need to develop these clubs and groups in order to build economic wealth and gain political clout. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I tend to disagree with this approach b/c focusing on economics has only gotten us a formidable middle-class (at least larger than it was back in the 70's) BUT OUR POOR ARE STILL JUST AS POOR B/C THE MIDDLE CLASS ARE GAINING WEALTH AND NOT SHARING THEIR $$ OR THEIR EXPERIENCES. I would say that it's not the money that we need as much as each of those people who would be in that investment club to take one afternoon a week to go back into the 'hood and be a one-on-one role model. Back in the day we didn't have as much money but we were much more willing to lend a hand toward the less fortunate in our community. I think that we need WORKERS in the community more than we need the middle-class to continue to just gain more wealth.

Further, I like the political clout argument but it just seems like a means to get someone else to help us once again and I like the notion of focusing on self-reliance.

SC

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by SummerChild
Tony,
I tend to disagree with your approach. I understand you to be saying that we need to develop these clubs and groups in order to build economic wealth and gain political clout. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I tend to disagree with this approach b/c focusing on economics has only gotten us a formidable middle-class (at least larger than it was back in the 70's) BUT OUR POOR ARE STILL JUST AS POOR B/C THE MIDDLE CLASS ARE GAINING WEALTH AND NOT SHARING THEIR $$ OR THEIR EXPERIENCES. I would say that it's not the money that we need as much as each of those people who would be in that investment club to take one afternoon a week to go back into the 'hood and be a one-on-one role model. Back in the day we didn't have as much money but we were much more willing to lend a hand toward the less fortunate in our community. I think that we need WORKERS in the community more than we need the middle-class to continue to just gain more wealth.

Further, I like the political clout argument but it just seems like a means to get someone else to help us once again and I like the notion of focusing on self-reliance.

SC

SC,

I accept your disagreement. But I think we're never going to be respected as a political force until we show we have economic power. I hate that it's true, but the world is run on m-o-n-e-y. Those that have it tend to get listented to more than others. When those WITH economic clout, demand that politicians create policy initiatives and seriously address the plight of the economic lower class, then it'll happen beyond the periodic lip service it gets now.

In terms of the community you're right. People who develop economic tools within the community HAVE to reach back to those WILLING TO BE REACHED to teach them skills that will elevate their station. I didn't mean to suggest that economics was the only way. But it seems to me that to only rely on a political system in which one party takes us for granted, and the other seems to not truly be interested in our issues, is not going to advance us far.

peace.

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by TonyB06
SC,

I accept your disagreement. But I think we're never going to be respected as a political force until we show we have economic power. I hate that it's true, but the world is run on m-o-n-e-y. Those that have it tend to get listented to more than others. When those WITH economic clout, demand that politicians create policy initiatives and seriously address the plight of the economic lower class, then it'll happen beyond the periodic lip service it gets now.

In terms of the community you're right. People who develop economic tools within the community HAVE to reach back to those WILLING TO BE REACHED to teach them skills that will elevate their station. I didn't mean to suggest that economics was the only way. But it seems to me that to only rely on a political system in which one party takes us for granted, and the other seems to not truly be interested in our issues, is not going to advance us far.

peace.

Tony, I agree with your above post. I guess that we differ on the underlying effect that politics should have on our community. I am saying forget Bush, Gore and all the rest and rely on ourselves. I know that we don't function in a bubble so this is probably really more fantasy than a realistic outcome but I'd really be happy with seeing our people more toward more self-reliance, at all levels (as opposed to waiting for someone, be it a politician or whoever, to implement policy initiatives that are going to help us along).

Good convo,
SC