The Economic Viability of Black America PT IV

[Inaubryn]

One study on black capitalism has proven that it was not a viable solution to the issue of black economic inequality. We have also reviewed many reasons and theories for the current state of affairs as is, one of them being a lack of education or a lack of interest in education. But what we have yet to look at is blacks working in concert with each other for something other than, or in addition to, philanthropic or civil rights-oriented issues. For instance, let us look at education first. It is well known through many state and national studies that public schools are sorely lacking in their level of education compared to private schools. Some attribute this fact to the smaller, more personalized environments of private schools. Smaller schools mean less students, which means smaller classes, which means the teachers can give more personal attention to students than they would be able to in a larger classroom environment. The one hurdle, however that keeps most black families from immediately withdrawing their kids from public schools to place them in these privatized institutions is, of course, money. A people with limited income can simply not afford to pay the tuition cost of private school. If the most financially successful blacks were to gather all, or at least a good majority of their economical, social, and political resources and then funnel these resources into reshaping the black mindset, community, and economic situation, perhaps things would actually change. Let me explain.

In the vein of private schools, a foundation of inner-city educational centers could be set up throughout the country. These educational centers would be free for interested parents and children and would serve as a supplemental learning environment to public and private schools. There would of course be a finite number of spots for students but these would be given out on a first come, first serve basis and would be rotated every three months or so. These centers would involve not just traditional learning but cultural learning as well. This would serve as a place where children can learn anything from black history, to real world applications of what they learn in school, to vocational and craft training, to the musical, and visual arts as well as applying the computer as a practical and artistic tool. All teaching would be done in the form of games and interactive lectures that encourage students to participate through discussion, questions, demonstrations, and experimentation. Children are possibly more apt to take an active interest in learning and actually learn if it's made more appealing. These centers would rely on the communities they are situated in to support them, which in turn would rely on that community to support itself and its members, financially speaking.

For example, let us say that a black entrepreneur wanted to open a restaurant with the goal of opening a second, third and fourth within a five to six year span, yet he lacks the capital to do so. A black investor offers him the money he needs with a few attached stipulations. The investor would become a forty percent minority partner in the business and would agree to help market it and keep it afloat. The restaurateur would agree to sign a contract to this end with an additional stipulation. Once the owner was securely established in his business, that is successful, and had paid back the initial investment, he would then in turn have to invest in another black person's success. Once this is done, the investor would reduce his partner percentage to ten percent and for each person the restaurant owner invested in, the initial investor would reduce his percentage by one percent to a minimum share of one percent. As an additional part of the contract, the owner of the restaurant would have to present, and have signed, a like contract with the person(s) within whom they are investing.

Ideally, this would accomplish several goals. It would provide several incentives to all involved parties. The investor is going to see his initial investment returned back to him in addition to a never-ending revenue stream of no less than one percent of gross profit from whatever business(es) or person(s) within whom he/she invest. The person who was invested in, would now be a bona fide business owner with the potential to expand and grow that business behind the financial backing that they need. They would then go on to become an investor in someone else's success and they themselves would receive revenue from that investment. The person they invest in would go on to do the same thing and so on. This has the benefit of tying the black community into an infinite progression of cause and effect loop. We take interest in ensuring the success of those we invest in because it in turn makes us a profit, and they take an interest in those they invest in because it in turn makes them a profit which makes us a profit, and they take in an interest in those that they invest in which in turn makes them a profit, and in turn makes a profit for those that invested in them, which in turn makes a profit for us and so on.

What you now have is an ever lengthening chain of people tied to one another's successes and as long as someone has something invested in it, they will most likely always take an interest in those who have a direct economical effect on them. Theoretically, providing this circulates nationally, it would make blacks more of an economic powerhouse because it combines their financial strength and helps to compensate for financial weaknesses.
Because, in today's society, in today's America where the opportunities and money are nigh unlimited, blacks must seek to possess more than a mere fraction of the overall wealth of what is most likely the wealthiest country to ever exist. As a people, blacks cannot sit idly by, they cannot be content to take what they are given because that has been their position since their forced arrival into this country. The truth is... that financially, economically, blacks are simply not a factor and if we do not make a concerted effort to become more so, then we will always remain scraping at the bottom of the financial barrel. We must actively shed the skin of the past and grow into a new future in order to become an economically viable group. And considering the lessons that we have learned, and the experiences that we have gone through, the tools exist to do just that. All we need to do is take advantage of them and utilize them to build a strong foundation of viability from which we can erect a structure of economic freedom that will house all American blacks for generations to come.

[Misty]

Thank you, Inaubryn, for posting this. I've been studying 19th century slave law of late (specifically Louisiana), and seeing such far reaching consequences is fascinating as a study. I do like what's proposed here in part IV, and hope to see it in effect sooner rather than later.

What am I going to do about it? I cannot until I get a job, but ideas are forming.

Thank you again.

[ç i p h é r]

I'm curious about a couple of things, Inaubryn.

1. Is there a disproportionate number of broken families within black communities that might correlate to the disproportionate number of incarcerated black males? Without the guidance of parents, without the support of the family unit, children will be directionless, more open to bad influences, and severely disadvantaged in society, which unfortunately is increasingly unforgiving as you yourself seem to have discovered first hand.

2. How do you think black ventures will fare if, as you stated earlier in your paper, blacks never developed the business acumen necessary to be successfully self-employed, at least without a significant investment in their own education? And if they won't fare well on the average, do you honestly think anyone would be willing to invest in such ventures? It is not trivial to run your own business.

[Tynndahl]

Awesome Words, Inny.
In our small part of the world, we are trying to build these Centres. So far we have attacked the problems at the root. The youth,reforming criminal justice, and trying to break the cycle of violence that exists in ALL communities.

I work/teach full-time in communities at risk, of all races/cultures/socio-economic. etc. The Film Program I run, links those communities with our "young offender" teens whom i am training how to be Film-makers, and media artists. (this is but one aspect of the program).
link to PACT program
www.pactprogram.ca

In a nutshell, the kids that graduate my program, are teamed up with community's that need inexpensive advertising, artwork, branding, graphic design,PSA's etc...This in turn is sponsored by local business's, and corporate partners. The system funds itself in perpetuity, and trains youth that would not normally have the opportunity.

In Toronto we have over 180 distinct communities reflecting every part of the world. They come here as immigrants or refugee's, and find most of their needs met in a community that "cycles" money, leadership, through their own community. i.e. The Eritrean Community. They now have a vibrant community of restaurants, clubs, ad-hoc community centers, etc.

We hope to build these centres based on the PACT model. It connects communities at risk, with valuable resources, connections over one roof.
Although I teach many fatherless children of diferent color, many youth are the first born in Canada, and their parents speak no english, and have a hard time understanding our laws. (like you cant beat your wife/child). The Canadian Charter of Rights must allow equal opportunity to minoritys, yet it wont take the current goverment to hurry up this process any time soon. It takes Community Initiative, as Inny points out.

One of canada's greatest shames, is the treatment of aboriginal peoples.
In the 1950's we "assimilated" the First Nation's, by forcing their children into private catholic schools. They lost their heritage, language, customs, and for many, their dignity, and self respect. (many were sexually abused by the priests).

On the reserves that Canada forced them to live on, They have a 4 in 10 suicide rate before they reach the age of 20. 80 percent addiction rate, and no foreseeable hope in the future. Parliament stalls on land-claims and paying retribution for the suffering, and past deceit. Average lifespan is 38 yrs old for a male.(little older for female).

It's ironic that the people who were here "first", suffer the worst, to this day.

There is hope, as the Chiefs of all the tribes, have begun forming their own ways to survive in the world, based much on what Inaubryn's post indicates.

A great idea Inny.

[Inaubryn]

I'm curious about a couple of things, Inaubryn.

1. Is there a disproportionate number of broken families within black communities that might correlate to the disproportionate number of incarcerated black males? Without the guidance of parents, without the support of the family unit, children will be directionless, more open to bad influences, and severely disadvantaged in society, which unfortunately is increasingly unforgiving as you yourself seem to have discovered first hand.

2. How do you think black ventures will fare if, as you stated earlier in your paper, blacks never developed the business acumen necessary to be successfully self-employed, at least without a significant investment in their own education? And if they won't fare well on the average, do you honestly think anyone would be willing to invest in such ventures? It is not trivial to run your own business.

1. Yes, there is, Cipher. I did the research on this as well. I think the statistic is impossibly high. It was something like over 70% of all black children born since 1978 were born into sngle parent homes. Both my parents were together until I was about 3 years olds, so I come from a single parent home as well. This is a contributing factor to the incarceration of black males. Again, the paper I wrote was a short paper and though I did research into this area, it was directly impactful upon overall black wealth. Although, you could argue less blacks in free population lessens the number of blacks capable of climbing out of the economic quagmire.

2. Actually, if you read the part of the paper that speaks about the time directly after the end of slavery, you'll see where I cited blacks as having an especially acute business acumen. They developed not only their own business but their own communities which thrived and were the envy of many surrounding white communities. It was a particular program which arose in the '70s that failed. That program was referred to as Black Capitalism. I could go into the reasons as to why it failed but it'd take forever and I gotta leave in a bit. As far as now is concerned, it's not a matter of whether or not blacks have the saavy to run their own business, because they do and even if they didn't most are knowledgeable enough to find someone to pick up where they leave off. So, finding investors to invest in a sound business idea isn't that difficult. Not to mention the plan calls for other successful blacks to do this. Success breeds success.

And, thanks, Tynn.