Black People : What Can African/Black Folks Do To Make A Difference

[Al D]

I started a thread ( Vote for National Black Solidarity Day) which asked folks to just cast a simple vote to support or not support. Out of the 200 plus viewers there were four votes for support..For me that is an extremely disappointing result. So,I would like folks to make some suggestions as to what can African/Black folks do that will make a difference?
Individually or Collectively..Let's have some constructive dialogue...

 

[Queenie]

During "Black History Month":

Hold a nationwide moratorium (Blackonomics) on spending for the entire month unless it's with a Black-owned business. Naturally pay your essential bills to keep the roof over your heads and lights/heat on, but don't waste spend.

This could be an opportunity for Black preachers of larger churches with tons of money to support the Black community and not the other way around. Host activities every night of the week.

• Take money given to churches and host free classes on how to start and sustain a business.

• Work with Black-owned banks to help with start-up costs for community members that want to become entrepreneurs and demonstrate they have taken courses and built a business-plan.

• Sponsor free classes on computer technology and create internships for students with local Black businesses to practice what they learn.
  
• Teach economics/accounting and create a network of qualified people in the community to help Black businesses in their communities that struggle with bookkeeping and filing taxes. Businesses should pay a fee for this service.
  
• Find property where a black-owned and supported farmer's market can be established to grow and sell fresh/healthy foods that can be provided to a Black community and others, particularly people who live in food desert areas. Supply farmer's market trucks that can deliver produce to people without transportation and who don't live near bus routes, particularly, the elderly.
  
• Sell locally produced foods to local grocery stores where money is put back into the market.
  
• Host survival courses in case of an state-of-emergency where Black people can learn how to survive without modern conveniences and live off the grid if they need to.

Form a nation-wide network among community activists and agencies where this is happening across the U.S. among Black people during Black History Month. The whole month can be devoted to entrepreneurial and survival innovation.

Not well thought out but an idea ... economic (warfare) empowerment and survival skill building for living under hostile conditions.

 

[Queenie]

Also . . .

• Bring in experts to train community members, including business owners on racial literacy and how to recognize biases and microaggressions and, more importantly, what to do about it so that it doesn't have a negative impact on your health.
• Bring together the medical community to have screenings for diabetes and hypertension and STD's and substance abuse tests done. Offer professional counseling services.
• Host seminars on sexual abuse and counseling services.
• Create a special team to talk with gangs about violence in the Black community and negotiate a plan to end it.

 

[Kemetstry]

1. Place money in black banks or credit unions

2. Shop with our own

3. Register yourself and any of your friends acquaintences to vote

4. Become an informed voter

5. Vote in every election

6. Stop buying drugs and liquor, unless the doc. says so




.

 

[Al D]

I embrace everything and support everything that Sister NN Queen and Brother Kemetstry have outlined... I am especially drawn to your initial statement sister..For me, Black History month is every month, every day, every minute and second..Both you and brother Kemetstry are on point with supporting and buying Black and we should always do this whenever and where ever possible. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of African owned businesses that can cater to our every day needs, nevertheless it is a good start..

But what I am most concerned with is how do we address the deeply rooted destructive behavior that we demonstrate towards ourselves and one another?
How do we eradicate or contend with systematic racism and bigotry and become a relevant force in the society that we live in and contribute so much to every single day?
How do we address and correct these problematic core issues within our culture that tend to shackle and handcuff us which leads us down a slow suicidal path?
All the proposals have merit but they will benefit us nothing if we don't adjust our thinking, attitudes and behavior...So many of us are reluctant to get involved and there is a root problem here which holds us back that needs to be identified and extricated...Black folks need to see that there is a future for us here and that we have to believe it deep within the debts of our soul. So maybe we can start by asking folks what is their dream, their vision and if they feel that it's attainable or not. If not why? Building people up and supporting them with continuous positive reinforcement..
By the way Sister NN Queen and Brother Kemetstry, I live in Florida where are the two of you?