Orion_70 Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519965,00.html Chicago Family's 'Buy Black' Experiment Becoming a Nationwide Movement [/url] AP April 16, 2009: Maggie Anderson, right, talks with Michael Hill at the black-owned Vino Libro wine bar in Atlanta. ATLANTA — It's been two months since 2-year-old Cori pulled the gold stud from her left earlobe, and the piercing is threatening to close as her mother, Maggie Anderson, hunts for a replacement. It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions. Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey. "We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it." So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home. Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention. "We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's." Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said. Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action. "The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said. There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year. The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements. One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament. "When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way." Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project. "So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase." Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses. Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more. "We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us." The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country. "The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now." Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities. "It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading." 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stevebeilgard Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 i's been around for a loooooong time. the miss black america pagent, the negro college fund, and a bunch more examples of anti white sentiment. now, quit complaining, honkey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Maybe they should wonder why they are having such a hard time finding quality places to shop? This group hasn't been held to the same high standards others have, with quotas and all that mess. Could be more of an eye opener than they wanted. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 The push for equality and desegregation were for what? What is the point if members of a race as a group (generally speaking) chooses to seperate themselves with such. Is it really ok for a race to seperate themselves and act in ways that are exclusionary to all other races.:( How does this type of thing help racial tensions where they may exist when those people act in a way that seperates them from other groups. If this was turned around where it was white business, no doubt those engaged in that type activity(deliberately only doing business with people of their own race) would be labeled racists. I guess this poses a question on equal opportunity too; do these "black businesses" as a general rule employ any white people, mexicans, and other minorities at a rate that is not discriminating like the expectations in the work place elsewhere?:( Pretty sad this type of thing is still happening in this country, but it has been going on for long long time and discrimination is still very real, schools that only accept black students are another perfect example. Buddy of mine in high school told me he could have got a full ride to a black only school on my act scores. No scholarships for me, went to the local community college while I worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_70 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 The push for equality and desegregation were for what? What is the point if members of a race as a group (generally speaking) chooses to seperate themselves with such. Is it really ok for a race to seperate themselves and act in ways that are exclusionary to all other races.:( How does this type of thing help racial tensions where they may exist when those people act in a way that seperates them from other groups. If this was turned around where it was white business, no doubt those engaged in that type activity(deliberately only doing business with people of their own race) would be labeled racists. I guess this poses a question on equal opportunity too; do these "black businesses" as a general rule employ any white people, mexicans, and other minorities at a rate that is not discriminating like the expectations in the work place elsewhere?:( Pretty sad this type of thing is still happening in this country, but it has been going on for long long time and discrimination is still very real, schools that only accept black students are another perfect example. Buddy of mine in high school told me he could have got a full ride to a black only school on my act scores. No scholarships for me, went to the local community college while I worked. Took the words right out of my mouth..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 (edited) "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it." My family's ancestors came over from Poland with $4 to their name. My Great Grandfather built the house he died in with his own hands. His son worked 40 years in the tool and die dept. of MTD (the lawnmower co.) and sent my father to engineering school on his salary. Not once did they every rely on government assistance... If you want a Walgreen's...work for it. Edited May 13, 2009 by muggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Maybe I should look for places that ARE only white owned or have white employees!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RackBlaster Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Maybe I should look for places that ARE only white owned or have white employees!!! Then you will be called a racist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKYhunter Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 If they really wanted to "Make a statement" why not shop at only American Indian owned shops? To me, the American Indian is the only group that has a right to complain about stuff like this. Those above are right, if whites did this we'd be called racists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Maybe I should look for places that ARE only white owned or have white employees!!! Then you will be called a racist Funny, in my eyes they are being racist! :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Then you will be called a racist Funny, in my eyes they are being racist! :rolleyes: Exactly!!!!!! What's the difference?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gzilla45 Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 They are being racist. But if I went and shopped at white only stores, Al Sharpton and his gang of merry men would be all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodnottygy Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 They are being racist. But if I went and shopped at white only stores, Al Sharpton and his gang of merry men would be all over it. It is all a bit disturbing to me. If the whites never voted for our president because he was black, he would not have been elected. Yet, about 90% of the black voters voted against McCain.... and who is racist here? Talk about double standards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 I just heard that yesterday on the radio. I can't believe they can do something that blatantly racist and feel it is a good thing. They are not only being racist against whites but also any other race that they will not buy from that is not black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 What's the golden rule again? My take is just ignore it and don't give it any press...easy come easy go because america honestly doesn't care....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 A wealthy and locally powerful man I knew growing up told me that the golden rule was "He who has the gold makes the rules". I was a child then but always remembered what that arrogant a-hole said. Guess he was right. Look at government. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I've ranted on the whole race issue time and again. I'm not shy to give it again. Highest prison populations, highest crime rates, highest unemployment rates........cry me a river. Get off your duff and work and speak english minus the G and the DOG, Ya feelin me homies? Act like a decent civil human being with some sort of decency and people might take ya more seriously. WORD ..........Kat Out ya dig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 I agree that the initital post represents a form of racism as I'll wager that at least some black people would agree as well. In a philosophy class I took some years ago I learned that when an oppressed people are no longer oppressed some of them will try to become the oppressors so they are never oppressed again. You can see it in radical feminism as well. It doesn't make it right of course, but one can see how it happens. Time living free of oppression helps. We must remember that many older black people living right now have experienced life in the USA as an oppressed people (segregation) and they could have had grandparents that were slaves. It's good to know about these things and believe me they can get my blood boiling too. I like to think of US slavery, seggregation, and oppression as things of the past. It sure would be nice to include racism in that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 I would tend to agree with you on generalizations Frank, sometimes discretion is necessary. Also would agree that some may not understand the context of a post and this is probably a good example. With that said, I don't think the reply was meant quite the way you elaborated, but I can see your point. It might be easy for members who have been on here for a while to take for granted, with knowing more about another member's character than say a new member or a guest, even without smilies that that member did not intend to mean what was posted a certain way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Although I don't know him well I believe Kyle to be a decent fella William and I figured his intentions were not to generalize. However, like you said others might not see that and get the wrong impression of the RT forums which I'm sure is the last thing Kyle or any of us would want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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