There was a time in American history when the Black community had “its own.” When others refused to do business with Black people in America, Blacks were forced to build and patronize their own. Once integration was a reality, White-owned businesses flourished from the influx of Black consumers wishing to “take advantage” of their new freedom.

Blacks walked the streets with inflated chests; teary-eyed because they could now eat in the same diner and be buried in the same cemetery as the slave masters’ children. But how could they believe they had arrived, when the businesses in their community died? Integration represented segregation between Black businesses and their customer base. While social segregation in America exposed hatred, integration exposed our deep-seated hatred for Blacks.

There was a time in American history when the Black community had “its own.” When others refused to do business with Black people in America, Blacks were forced to build and patronize their own. Once integration was a reality, White-owned businesses flourished from the influx of Black consumers wishing to “take advantage” of their new freedom.

Blacks walked the streets with inflated chests; teary-eyed because they could now eat in the same diner and be buried in the same cemetery as the slave masters’ children. But how could they believe they had arrived, when the businesses in their community died? Integration represented segregation between Black businesses and their customer base. While social segregation in America exposed hatred, integration exposed our deep-seated hatred for Blacks.
As soon as Blacks received the “green light” of permission to go and spend their hard-earned dollars at the White-owned hotel, the Black-owned hotel closed down. Integration compelled Blacks to spend money in White-owned businesses, but Whites did not reciprocate. They were intelligent enough to continue to support their own.

One can hardly find a Black-owned hotel in the United States of America. In the year 2010, Blacks are still a community of people who are not sophisticated enough to supply their own needs. If there were an Economic Olympics, the Black dollar would hold the world’s record for the 100- yard dash.
It leaves its community with lighting speed; faster than any other. According to the Harvest Institute (www.harvestinstitue.org), a Washington, D.C. Black think tank that addresses how money circulates in various communities:

•Money circulates in the White Community unlimited times
•Money circulates in Jewish Communities over 12 times
•Money circulates in Asian Communities over 9 times
•Money circulates in Latino Communities over 6 times
•Money circulates in the African-American Community 0-1 time

This means that as soon as a dollar comes into the Black community it leaves. This is why some say that a fat Reparations check from the government will only lead to a big payday for the Cadillac dealer. Some people think that spending their money at the corner store means they are spending money in their own community.

Most of the corner stores are owned by Asians and others from foreign countries. They are set up in the Black community  to take the economic strength from the community and put it back into his own. According to statistics, Black people spend about $2.75 billion dollars annually on hair care products.

Black spend more on hair care than some Third World countries spend on food. All of the major Black-owned hair care giants have been bought out. The Asian community has developed a stronghold monopoly on sales, distribution, etc.

Blacks buy their weaves, hair relaxers and hot combs from them. Many of the foreign store owners treat Blacks with such disdain and disrespect because no one respects a people who allow others to do for them what they have the ability to do for themselves.

In the year 2010, every Black should find a reputable Black business that they may have never patronized before. Blacks should go out of their way to consistently support that business even if it means driving an extra mile or paying an extra dollar or two. Blacks must be willing to take that extra step to support their own.
Instead of spending $5 at Starbucks every morning, make it a habit to stop by Black-owned coffee shops like Sip’ n Surf’s or G’s and Z’s in Houston’s Third Ward. Support the sister who may have a poetry CD she may be trying to sell. When Blacks begin to patriotically support their own, they will naturally earn the respect of other communities. If Blacks continue to fail to do this they will forever remain in the category of the socially unconscious.

When running into a subpar service, one should go to the owner and suggest how they can improve their service—then give them an opportunity to do so. Sometimes that observation might be exactly what they needed to improve and become more successful. Start now before there aren’t any left. Blacks should take notice of how it feels to spend their hard-earned money in a place of business owned by their brother or sister.
Send email to askbrotherderic@yahoo.com.