Thursday, September 29, 2011


Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud. Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud.
Well. Let’s whisper that.
Wouldn’t want anyone to think we are radical… too Black. Nearly 99 percent of all white Americans live in all-white communities, work in all-white offices, conduct business with white customers, and send their children to all-white schools, according to Dr. Claud Anderson, in the book Powernomics.
But they are not too white. Then there are the others, the minorities. Little Havana of Miami, Frogtown of St. Paul, Greektown of Detroit, Little Italy of New York, Chinatown in San Francisco, Jewish Community Board of Akron, Little Vietnam, Little Saigon, Little Koreas, Little Cambodia, Arab communities of Detroit, Mexican communities in Minneapolis, to name but a few economically vibrant immigrant enclaves throughout the United States of America. These ethnic groups all came to America in search of riches. They are achieving that.

Geoffrey Fox, in his book Hispanic Nation, proclaimed that a new ethnic identity is being constructed in the United States, made up of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and all other Spanish-speaking groups, that will surpass the Blacks in population and change the political focus from Black and white to white and Hispanic.


The mission statement of the Jewish Community Board of Akron states, “The Jewish Community Board of Akron is a volunteer association of concerned and committed people that exists for the purpose of preserving, enhancing and perpetuating the Jewish way of life. Affiliated with the United Jewish Communities.”
Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud? Well maybe not according to history. Tiger Woods, the only Black golfer on the PGA Tour for the past 10 years, won his only major victory of 2007, the PGA Championship, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this past weekend. You say, so what?  Not news. Tiger wins all the time.
Here is what was not mentioned during the hours of broadcast, the numerous interviews, and the countless blimp shots of Tulsa, Oklahoma: On May 31, 1921, the Tulsa Oklahoma Massacre took place. What was the Tulsa Oklahoma Massacre? It was the destruction of “The Black Wall Street”.  According to historical accounts, the riot began on May 31, 1921, when Blacks fought off a white lynch mob outside a courthouse where a Black man accused of assaulting a white female elevator operator was being held. Police deputized a group of whites, who torched as many as 1,000 homes and businesses in the Greenwood District, while Blacks were being confined “in protective custody” at a baseball stadium.
What was significant about Tulsa, Oklahoma was that it was the largest Black economic community of its day. It was referred to as “The Black Wall Street”. “Since African Americans could neither live among whites as equals nor patronize white businesses in Tulsa, Blacks had to develop a completely separate business district and community, which soon became prosperous and legendary. Black dollars invested in the Black community produced self-pride, self-sufficiency, and self-determination. The business district, beginning at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street, became so successful and vibrant that Booker T. Washington, during his visit, bestowed the moniker: ‘Negro Wall Street.’
By 1921, Tulsa’s African-American population of 11,000 had its own bus line, two high schools, one hospital, two newspapers, two theaters, three drugstores, four hotels, a public library, and 13 churches. In addition, there were over 150 two- and three-story brick commercial buildings that housed clothing and grocery stores, cafes, rooming houses, nightclubs, and a large number of professional offices of doctors, lawyers, dentists and others.
Tulsa’s progressive African American community boasted of some of the city’s most elegant brick homes, well furnished with china, fine linens, beautiful furniture, and grand pianos. Mary Elizabeth Parrish from Rochester, New York wrote: ‘In the residential section there were homes of beauty and splendor which would please the most critical eye.’ Well-known African American personalities often visited the Greenwood district, including educators Mary McCloud Bethune and W.E.B. DuBois, scientist George Washington Carver, opera singer Marian Anderson, blues singer Dinah Washington, and noted Chicago chemist Percy Julian.” (Excerpts from the book Black People and Their Place in History, by Dr. Leroy Vaughn.)
The Tulsa incident was not unique during that era.  During the “Red Summer” of 1919. Over 25 race riots, white mobs continued attacking black neighborhoods, were recorded. In the 1919 race riot at Elaine, Arkansas, white mobs killed over 200 African Americans and burned their homes and businesses. Director John Singleton exposed the horror of the Rosewood, Florida massacre of 1922 in his film entitled “Rosewood”. A white mob burned down the entire town and tried to kill all of its Black inhabitants. In April 1994, the Florida legislature passed the “Rosewood Bill”, which awarded $150,000 to each of the riot’s nine eligible Black survivors.
The Black Wall Street of Tulsa and the Rosewood of Florida represent our Little Havana, our Chinatowns, our Little Italy, our Greektowns in the desire to achieve the American dream.  White America has fought to prevent The Black Wall Street from developing.

We are in a battle once again. No, they are not burning down our homes, bombing our businesses, forcing us to ride in the back of the bus, or lynching Black men by the dozens on Saturday, as openly done in the past. This battle is being fought for our Black dollars. All immigrants are given a free ride to stop, drop, and set up shop in the Black community in America.  The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 opened the doors of America to any and all Cubans who are fleeing Cuba. Little Havana has never been attacked by an angry mob of white citizens. Little Havana, like Little Italy, the Chinatowns, and so on, is an enclave where economic development has been allowed to flourish. No Black Codes, Jim Crow laws, or other barriers to prevent their economic development.
However, Black business owners are not stopping, dropping, and opening shop in their communities. A Black-owned business in Chinatown, Little Havana, Little Italy, Greektown, or Mexican enclave? The residents of these communities will not do business with them. It’s a boycott based simply on the fact that you are not one of us. Leave. Black businesses are sent back to the Black consumer to do battle for the Black dollar with white and immigrant businesses.
Are you boycotting Black businesses? The other immigrants have come to America voluntarily, with great hope of wealth. They seek each other out voluntarily to form a community. It’s not segregation, but congregation, based on national, ethnic or cultural identity.  In city after city, they form bonds based on ethnicity.  They are not looking to join forces with the Black community under the premise of advancement. In all the major cities with a significant Black population: Detroit, MI; Gary, IN; Inglewood, CA; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; New Orleans, LA; Baltimore, MD; Norfolk, VA; Jacksonville, FL; and Jackson, MS, we are not dominant politically or economically.  They stop, drop, and set up shop in the Black community.  Example: The Black hair care product industry, the industry that Madam C.J. Walker dominated, which improved the economic lives of Black women, is no longer Black-controlled.

In this post-integration era, the Black consumer, regardless of social class, is the target for all immigrant groups. It is common knowledge: We will buy from anyone, with few exceptions. Will Black businesses ever restore the greatness of “The Black Wall Street”?  I often hear the comparison: Blacks should be more like the Jews, Mexicans, Hmong, Chinese, and Arabs.  If we do start to be more like those groups, they will be putting a sign on their businesses – GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.  Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud!.

Monday, September 26, 2011




Justice and Jobs 
Justice and Jobs
Justice and Jobs


Various Black community leaders have chanted this for decades; however the Minnesota Department of Transportation has refused to hear this.  Lennie Chism, Executive Director of Springboard Economic Development Corp, a 501c3 advocacy organization, states, “$6 billion dollars in federal aid for highways 
and bridges in the last ten years, with all minorities companies awarded less $45 Million dollars, less than 1% - the report is available to all who ask.”   Community based training organization have received enormous sums of money to train our men and women for jobs that do not exist, for us that is.  Well, maybe 1 out of 18 graduates may get a job.   Another community organization was given kibbles and bites to keep to create another training program plus chant the MNDOT doing a great job slogan; however we are not sure what business they are in or which community members they were elected to represent.  Wait, they were not elected or appointed to serve as a voice for me, and many others.

Fact remains, without the construction jobs the federal government funds yearly to the tune of $700 million in 2010 for Minnesota highways and bridges, the unemployment rate in the less than educated white community would reflect that of the minority community.  Huh? As I grew up on a farm I can speak with a point of reference.   Yes, they call them jobs, but really they are a government welfare check to keep the white masses employed.  Yes, they perform a service; however without the federal government money, many of these same companies would be out of business.   Recently I watched a road construction project in the heart of the Black community being performed by white construction workers across from the liquor store.   At quitting time they rolled out the community, earning their government welfare check.

Now, here is where the Black and other minority community are missing out.  The masses of white men work blue collar jobs in dirty pants, boots, and a hardhat.  Sounds like a farmer huh? The MNDOT construction projects are key to the survival of the white community as the means to pull government money into their community.  What?  Huh?  Yes, those jobs paying union wages of $25 per hour and up with benefits, go into their communities from the federal and state government much the same as a welfare check, or any other grant from the government.  Yes, again, they yield a product called highways and bridges.  The money earned by the construction work, to the tune of $700 million in 2010 is spent all over the state – suppliers, bars, restaurants, barbershops, daycares, - you get the picture.  Oh, I forgot to mention, vacations up north Minnesota to their cabin. 


In September2010 while attending the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, Springboard will presented our report to Congressional members detailing MNDOT – 10 years $6 Billion, less than $10 million to Black construction companies, and less that $45 million to all minorities construction companies.  The fact remains, if white America is living off the government in these hard economic times, are minorities to be left out?  Oh, I forgot, we are told to apply for a welfare check because there are not jobs.  Sure, wink.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

People on the bench get back to work, well maybe not the African Americans on the couch


"Passage of the $447 billion dollar American Jobs Act will put people on the bench get back to work" proclaimed USDOT Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined by FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff, MN elected members of Congress Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, along newly elected MN Governor Mark Dayton, Twin Cities Mayor's Rybak and Coleman from the platform of the St. Paul's Union Depot Central Coordior Light-Rail project. Oh, least not overlook hundreds of White construction workers."

People on the bench get back to work" has been rallying cry chanted in unison by those lobbying for infrastructure projects. Advocating the creation of tens of thousands construction jobs for Minnesota's "people on the bench get back to work" by re-building and expanding America's light rails systems, deteriorating roads and bridges.

"People on the bench get back to work" refers to union construction workers who are laid off.    The photo says a thousand words.  The only African American, MN Congressman Keith Ellison, noticeably absent of currently employed Black "Dirty Jobs" workers.   The Re-Build America construction strategy is not the answer for the millions of well educated Blacks who attended the Congressional Black Caucus's Job Tour. The corporate attire, suits, ties, and resume in hand need not apply for the Re-Build America dirty jobs.  Liad off Black professionals are not the "people on the bench get back to work" the passage of the American Jobs Act will reach.

The union rolls absent of laid off corporate African American names, laid off corporate African Americans require something other than the passage of the American Jobs Act as currently proposed by Presidents Obama.  African Americans are more appropriated labeled "people on the couch". 
The years of restricted access to union construction jobs membership has put the African American community on the slow track to economic recovery.  The shovel ready companies are 99% owned and operated by White business owners.  These shovel ready companies were created from people who have worked their way through the union systems till they are ready to hand their shingle as entrepreneurs.  The Congression Black Caucus will need to address the lack of language in the $447 billion dollar American Job Act legislation to ensure all of America's citizens will have access to our Pres Obama job creation strategies.

People on the bench get back to work; however African Americans on the couch are being overlooked.  THe American Job Act must address the double digit unemployment rate in the Black community.