Too manyAfrican American men and women not caught up in the vicious cycle of prison, find themselves dancing precariously between their world and mainstream society. They appear doomed to walk the tightrop of being true to themselves and pleasing those who have economic power over them.
www.phoenix5.org/essaysry/graphics/tightrope.jpg
A man that I know (I’ll refer to him as a friend of a friend), who works as an Architect at an African American firm in Houston, is one. He has my utmost respect because he is holding it down for his wife and daughter, his community, and his family. He often visits home to see about his people. He has much to be grateful for and I ain’t mad at him if he doesn’t agree with my assessment: I feel sorry for him.
Even though he works for an African American business, commands a decent salary, has a tight-knit family, and is basically living the American dream…I feel sorry for him. In a global economy, this friend of a friend has to put on his suit and tie to perform his soft shoe sell, his precarious dance in order to get and keep business. Especially from clients outside the African American community.
www.tapatoe.de/images/startbild.jpg
Why is it that African American money and resources immediately leave our hands to circulate outside our community? When will we, collectively as a people, wake up to continue the fight for economic freedom that Malcolm and Martin began?
http://www.22west.com/graphics/martinsmall.jpg
The only wide-scale “solidarity” among African Americans on a consistent basis is from watching documentaries about prison life. Prisoners must quickly assimilate to their new surroundings and align themselves with other prisoners, within their own race, as a means of protection. As long as the new inmate follows the rules of the prison gangs hierarchial society, they will die for you. These elements, among others, is crucial to their survival. Without it they will become a victim of assault and murder.
http://www.njslom.org/magart1005_page46_pic1.jpg
I’m not recommending we should go to prison to experience unity and solidarity. We can, however, learn some valuable lessons from prison life.
There was a time when I was guilty of not supporting African American-owned business. A few years ago, I purchased all of my hair products from the local beauty supply store. I must have spent hundreds of dollars in this small store and others like it. It seemed okay as all of my friends recommended this store because of its discount prices. Plus, many black women shopped there. I figured, how bad could it be?
The problem was the store was owned by Asians, most of whom had taken over businesses in my predominantly African American neighborhood. Now, I’m not against free enterprise and I intellectually support all people of color who develop start-up businesses.
But the Asians and every other person of color who set up shop in African American neighborhoods do not directly reinvest the money they receive from African Americans into our local schools, churches, etc. Their money is invested in their own communities.
http://www.aacsa.org/Images/art_ConvSubPic.jpg
I believe every business owner who reaps economic benefits from the community where the business is located, should responsibly reinvest their money and resources into that neighborhood. This way everyone wins.
I no longer buy hair products from the neighborhood Asian store. I now support an African American-owned company, Carol’s Daughter, that has a full line of health and beauty products specifically for African Americans.
I hope to start an economic revolution. When knowledge is gained and is used, there is power. The challenge, to get this economic revolution started, is to support as many legitimate African American-owned businesses as you can, spend your money there first, then go outside the African American community to supplement the rest of your purchases.
www.bbi.ca/pictures/BTB23.jpg
Maybe then, and only then, will my friend of a friend’s little daughter not have to do the same precarious dance her dad is doing now.
The question is: will you continue to perform your precarious dance to please the mainstream masses or will you join me in this economic revolution?
Our Precarious Dance
February 12, 2007 blackbeautifulqueen
Too manyAfrican American men and women not caught up in the vicious cycle of prison, find themselves dancing precariously between their world and mainstream society. They appear doomed to walk the tightrop of being true to themselves and pleasing those who have economic power over them.
www.phoenix5.org/essaysry/graphics/tightrope.jpg
A man that I know (I’ll refer to him as a friend of a friend), who works as an Architect at an African American firm in Houston, is one. He has my utmost respect because he is holding it down for his wife and daughter, his community, and his family. He often visits home to see about his people. He has much to be grateful for and I ain’t mad at him if he doesn’t agree with my assessment: I feel sorry for him.
Even though he works for an African American business, commands a decent salary, has a tight-knit family, and is basically living the American dream…I feel sorry for him. In a global economy, this friend of a friend has to put on his suit and tie to perform his soft shoe sell, his precarious dance in order to get and keep business. Especially from clients outside the African American community.
www.tapatoe.de/images/startbild.jpg
Why is it that African American money and resources immediately leave our hands to circulate outside our community? When will we, collectively as a people, wake up to continue the fight for economic freedom that Malcolm and Martin began?
http://www.22west.com/graphics/martinsmall.jpg
The only wide-scale “solidarity” among African Americans on a consistent basis is from watching documentaries about prison life. Prisoners must quickly assimilate to their new surroundings and align themselves with other prisoners, within their own race, as a means of protection. As long as the new inmate follows the rules of the prison gangs hierarchial society, they will die for you. These elements, among others, is crucial to their survival. Without it they will become a victim of assault and murder.
http://www.njslom.org/magart1005_page46_pic1.jpg
I’m not recommending we should go to prison to experience unity and solidarity. We can, however, learn some valuable lessons from prison life.
There was a time when I was guilty of not supporting African American-owned business. A few years ago, I purchased all of my hair products from the local beauty supply store. I must have spent hundreds of dollars in this small store and others like it. It seemed okay as all of my friends recommended this store because of its discount prices. Plus, many black women shopped there. I figured, how bad could it be?
The problem was the store was owned by Asians, most of whom had taken over businesses in my predominantly African American neighborhood. Now, I’m not against free enterprise and I intellectually support all people of color who develop start-up businesses.
But the Asians and every other person of color who set up shop in African American neighborhoods do not directly reinvest the money they receive from African Americans into our local schools, churches, etc. Their money is invested in their own communities.
http://www.aacsa.org/Images/art_ConvSubPic.jpg
I believe every business owner who reaps economic benefits from the community where the business is located, should responsibly reinvest their money and resources into that neighborhood. This way everyone wins.
I no longer buy hair products from the neighborhood Asian store. I now support an African American-owned company, Carol’s Daughter, that has a full line of health and beauty products specifically for African Americans.
I hope to start an economic revolution. When knowledge is gained and is used, there is power. The challenge, to get this economic revolution started, is to support as many legitimate African American-owned businesses as you can, spend your money there first, then go outside the African American community to supplement the rest of your purchases.
www.bbi.ca/pictures/BTB23.jpg
Maybe then, and only then, will my friend of a friend’s little daughter not have to do the same precarious dance her dad is doing now.
The question is: will you continue to perform your precarious dance to please the mainstream masses or will you join me in this economic revolution?
Entry Filed under: black commentary
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