Some of you may be considering opting out of Tuesday's election, disgusted and disillusioned with the entire process. I'll admit that I've had the same thoughts. But I am going to vote on Tuesday and here are ten reasons why I think you should too.
1) The most obvious: So many of our ancestors died so we could have the opportunity. They may not have been able to foresee that voting, for many of us, has boiled down to a choice between the lesser of two evils. But they fought for full citizenship rights and voting is central to that.
2) To help President Obama. The President has been called everything but a child of God by his political enemies. And the media, always eager to find fault, have created controversies were none existed (i.e., President Obama's recent interview with comedian Jon Stewart). A strong showing by his supporters would put some of these naysayers' antics to rest -- at least temporarily.
3) It's essentially free. The only costs are time and transportation. Since most polling places are close to home, costs for both should be minimal.
4) To set a good example. Children need to see their parents and other adults participate in American democracy. Thus, they will understand their role as adults and will, hopefully, emulate the exercise.
5) To shut up the pundits and prognosticators. The political pundits have been predicting that Black voters and progessive voters are disillusioned and will not go to the polls. In fact, they've already predicted the outcome before the voters have had their say. Wouldn't it be nice for them to have egg on their faces on election night?
6) To be a counterweight to the right wing nuts. Many of us spent lots of time and treasure in 2008 to remove right-wingers from office. Let's not allow them back in simply because of sheer laziness.
7) To be heard on local issues of importance. Besides the U.S. Senate and Congressional races, there will be statewide offices and local initiatives on most ballots. Most of the issues that closely affect voters are right in their own back yards.
8) To inject new blood into the political system. Incumbency carries a lot of benefits and advantages, primarily the receipt of political contributions by wealthy donors. Voting allows new candidates an opportunity to get elected and unseat some of the entrenched politicians who treat these positions like they own them.
9) To be a good citizen. Remember what you learned in elementary school social studies class? And something about pulling the lever does make you feel better.
10) If you don't vote and the political environment does not improve, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Jesus Take The Wheel?
George Hudson, one of my FB friends, wrote this yesterday, "More and more I see these days people are using religion to substitute for personal responsibility." I agree with him generally except this is not a new phenomenon. I wrote about this whole idea of "waiting" a couple of years ago in my book, "Why African Americans Can't Get Ahead: And How We Can Solve It With Group Economics." It's a reflection of the doctrine advanced in most Black churches today.
“I believe that God has created me in His image and that I have the power and ability to control my present and my future. God’s word says that ‘faith without works is dead,’ and I have faith that my efforts will succeed and that I can overcome any obstacle I may encounter. I will no longer look to others to provide my community’s needs and wants. I will take control of my neighborhoods, my schools and my businesses to provide jobs and a secure future for my children and my neighbors.”
Here's an excerpt:
With a few rare exceptions, Black ministers teach their parishioners that our future lies in the hands of entities outside ourselves. The Black church, in general, teaches its members to wait, rather than take action: Wait on God, wait on Jesus’ second coming, wait on the Rapture, wait on the afterlife or wait on some benevolent White person to deliver us from our current situation. It does not teach Black people to take control of our communities and our destinies as a routine matter.
It does teach us to respond with marches or protests when we are threatened by White racism or discrimination from members of other groups. But it does not teach that our future, if we are to have a successful one, will be based solely on our own efforts, with God’s help.
The philosophy of “waiting” was necessary during slavery and Jim Crow, when being assertive would have literally gotten African Americans killed. It was also necessary during the Civil Rights Movement, when passive resistance was the best way to prick the conscience of the American people. But, in the new millennium, a passive strategy will not suffice.
“We have been historically and helplessly waiting for the Lord, waiting for the ‘Kingdom of Heaven,’ waiting for the welfare check, waiting to hit the lottery, waiting for the government and waiting for others to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves,” says Jeremiah Camara in his book, Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress?[i]
“We even wait for Democrats to take control of the White House, not realizing we are often more impacted by what is in our local communities and our homes rather than what is happening in city hall or Washington, D.C.,” he said.
“When we idly wait and witness people of other nationalities opening businesses in our neighborhoods,” added Camara, “it is not necessarily because of whom these people voted to serve in Washington
To drive home Camara’s assertion, in most cases, the people of other nationalities who open businesses in Black communities cannot even vote because they are not U.S.
The doctrine of teaching the people to wait has a long history in the traditional denominational ministries in Black churches, including Baptist, A.M.E., C.M.E., Church of God
Most of the non-denominational, or Word of Faith, ministries advocate the power of faith confessions or affirmations as a way of changing one’s reality. Based upon the Biblical principle that “death and life is in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), a new, fresh confession is needed, one which is empowering and does not rely on other groups to meet our needs.
Following is an example of a confession or affirmation that moves in that direction:
“I believe that God has created me in His image and that I have the power and ability to control my present and my future. God’s word says that ‘faith without works is dead,’ and I have faith that my efforts will succeed and that I can overcome any obstacle I may encounter. I will no longer look to others to provide my community’s needs and wants. I will take control of my neighborhoods, my schools and my businesses to provide jobs and a secure future for my children and my neighbors.”
A fresh, innovative doctrine is needed because, before a change can occur, the people’s minds must first be reprogrammed to no longer expect deliverance to come from outside our community. Throughout our nearly 400-year history in America we have been taught to see our future as an extension of the future of White Americans – first as our slave masters, then as our bosses and our elected officials. To survive and prosper, we must begin to see our future in our own hands, using our God-given ability to chart a destiny that is not contingent upon what any other group does.
[i] Holy Lockdown, p. 125.
[ii] Ibid, pp. 125-126.
Copies of "Why African Americans Can't Get Ahead and How We Can Solve It With Group Economics" are available from the following sources:
Autographed copies available at Cushcity.com:
http://www.cushcity.com/books/098002501x.htm
Amazon.com Kindle edition
Copies of "Why African Americans Can't Get Ahead and How We Can Solve It With Group Economics" are available from the following sources:
Autographed copies available at Cushcity.com:
http://www.cushcity.com/books/098002501x.htm
Amazon.com Kindle edition
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Music's Just Not Music Anymore
One of my Facebook friends posted today that she walked past her 15-year-old daughter's room, heard the music coming out of the speakers from her daughter's iPod, and "couldn't believe the words" she heard. She sent up a prayer and a confession: "Lord, Jesus, please help our kids." Sadly, music's just not music anymore.
Remember when the whole family used to listen to the classic sounds of the Temptations, Supremes, Spinners, O'Jays, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire. . .the list goes on and on. The lyrics were clean and the messages were either about love, having fun or changing the world. With a few exceptions, saying that today's music is "not family friendly" is a gross understatement. Much of it is garbage and if parents knew what they're children were listening to, the hairs on the backs of their necks would stand up.
Parents need to get more involved early on. They can't wait until the teen years to monitor their children's music and set guidelines. My daughter received an iPod for her 10th birthday. She is now 14. Since she got the device, we have a rule that I have to approve EVERY song that is downloaded to it. Since we purchase the songs for 99 cents and I'm paying for them, she has to adhere to the rules.
Once she upgrades to an iPOD Nano, the rules will still apply. I refuse to pay for garbage and filth going into my daughter's ears. No songs labeled "explicit" are approved, but I try to be somewhat flexible with the rap music. I still have to see written lyrics first. Fortunately, my daughter was brought up on old school music so half the songs on her iPod are old school and she has a real appreciation for good music.
I'm not naive (since I was 14 once upon a time) and I know that my daughter listens to music on her own. But since she was raised with musical standards and guidelines, she is less likely to stray from them. We have good lines of communication and she tells me a lot of the rap music is about sexual exploits, private parts, demeaning to women, etc. Remember: Train up a child. . .
The music industry tries to blame the victim, saying that parents need to be responsible. And this is true. But they know that about 80% of the market for music is between 12 and 25 years of age. They know this garbage is being listened to by children. They just don't care because they're "making money."
Parents: Beware, be involved, be informed, be vigilant. . .be blessed.
Remember when the whole family used to listen to the classic sounds of the Temptations, Supremes, Spinners, O'Jays, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire. . .the list goes on and on. The lyrics were clean and the messages were either about love, having fun or changing the world. With a few exceptions, saying that today's music is "not family friendly" is a gross understatement. Much of it is garbage and if parents knew what they're children were listening to, the hairs on the backs of their necks would stand up.
Parents need to get more involved early on. They can't wait until the teen years to monitor their children's music and set guidelines. My daughter received an iPod for her 10th birthday. She is now 14. Since she got the device, we have a rule that I have to approve EVERY song that is downloaded to it. Since we purchase the songs for 99 cents and I'm paying for them, she has to adhere to the rules.
Once she upgrades to an iPOD Nano, the rules will still apply. I refuse to pay for garbage and filth going into my daughter's ears. No songs labeled "explicit" are approved, but I try to be somewhat flexible with the rap music. I still have to see written lyrics first. Fortunately, my daughter was brought up on old school music so half the songs on her iPod are old school and she has a real appreciation for good music.
I'm not naive (since I was 14 once upon a time) and I know that my daughter listens to music on her own. But since she was raised with musical standards and guidelines, she is less likely to stray from them. We have good lines of communication and she tells me a lot of the rap music is about sexual exploits, private parts, demeaning to women, etc. Remember: Train up a child. . .
The music industry tries to blame the victim, saying that parents need to be responsible. And this is true. But they know that about 80% of the market for music is between 12 and 25 years of age. They know this garbage is being listened to by children. They just don't care because they're "making money."
Parents: Beware, be involved, be informed, be vigilant. . .be blessed.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
America's Misguided Political Right Wing
As the mid-term election season winds to a close, America has had the opportunity to observe the political right wing in all of its glory. There's very little subtlety in their approach -- usually they more closely resemble a mob than a political faction.
"We need to return to the original intent of the Founding Fathers" is a statement the right wing is fond of making. But they fail to recognize that, while the spirit of the original intent may have been heart felt, the reality was that three-fourths of the nation (women and Blacks) was excluded, resulting in ramifications for later generations. Once everyone was allowed to participate, the demands and consequences changed. Things are never going to be the way they once were (thank God) and the right wing's nostalgia is myopic, at best.
In addition, their economic solution of tax cuts for the rich as a panacea for everything has no basis in reality and works against any chance our nation has for a prosperous future. There are some tasks for the common good that only the government can perform. The interstate highway system, the semiconductor and, yes, even the Internet, were all innovations that were funded with government dollars. Investors of private and corporate money require a return on investment within a relatively short period of time. Projects like those listed above take years, sometimes decades, before the benefits and/or profits are realized. Yet, can any of us imagine a world without them?
The right wing seems to be more concerned about who benefits from new programs and they would rather throw out the baby with the bath water -- keep "those people" from benefiting -- even if it means that they too lose in the process. That's why any solutions to health care, energy or even jobs are so elusive.
The political left has its problems too, but the right wing is so out of touch that it's hard to take them seriously if you believe that all American citizens have equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
"We need to return to the original intent of the Founding Fathers" is a statement the right wing is fond of making. But they fail to recognize that, while the spirit of the original intent may have been heart felt, the reality was that three-fourths of the nation (women and Blacks) was excluded, resulting in ramifications for later generations. Once everyone was allowed to participate, the demands and consequences changed. Things are never going to be the way they once were (thank God) and the right wing's nostalgia is myopic, at best.
In addition, their economic solution of tax cuts for the rich as a panacea for everything has no basis in reality and works against any chance our nation has for a prosperous future. There are some tasks for the common good that only the government can perform. The interstate highway system, the semiconductor and, yes, even the Internet, were all innovations that were funded with government dollars. Investors of private and corporate money require a return on investment within a relatively short period of time. Projects like those listed above take years, sometimes decades, before the benefits and/or profits are realized. Yet, can any of us imagine a world without them?
The right wing seems to be more concerned about who benefits from new programs and they would rather throw out the baby with the bath water -- keep "those people" from benefiting -- even if it means that they too lose in the process. That's why any solutions to health care, energy or even jobs are so elusive.
The political left has its problems too, but the right wing is so out of touch that it's hard to take them seriously if you believe that all American citizens have equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Ten Reasons Why African American Bookstores Are Closing
As a bookstore retailer and marketer, I have observed the trend in the closure of independent bookstores in general, and African American bookstores in particularly. I posted my ten reasons why Black bookstores are closing on Facebook in September 2010, but wanted to post them on my blog so the information could have some permanence. Here it is.
1) Book sales migrated to the Internet. Most Black bookstores failed to take advantage of this trend. According to WebPro News, books are the #1 item people purchase online. Other brick-and-mortar chains, such as Blockbuster, also were flanked by their online competition, so this trend is not exclusive to bookstores.
2) Price competition. The advent of Internet sales ushered deep discounting on books. Because large online sites like, Amazon and Wal-Mart, are able to take advantage of volume discounts, Black bookstores could not match these discounted prices and, if they tried to, they were unable to maintain profitability.
3) Failure to diversify. With the advent of price competition and Internet book sales, diversification into other product lines was the only way Black bookstores stood a chance of maintaining viability. Most did not make this adjustment fast enough and some didn't make it at all.
4) African American Sections Added to stores like Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, WaldenBooks and Borders. Black consumers urged the major chains to include African American sections in their stores. Once this occurred, most Black consumers flocked to these stores for their purchases and kicked the Black bookstores to the curb. (See reason #5)
5) Lack of loyalty from consumers. African American consumers do not have a tradition of loyalty to Black-owned establishments. If they can purchase the same products at a white-owned (Asian-owned, or any non-black owned) establishment, they will do so FIRST. The vast majority will only shop at a black-owned establishment if they have no choice -- if they are unable to obtain a much-desired item elsewhere. This is the primary reason why dollars leave our community so rapidly, while other ethnic groups have loyalty to their merchants and turn dollars multiple times.
6) Black Expressions Book Club. Owned by Doubleday, Black Expressions Book Club has the financial resources to advertise in every major Black magazine in America. They offer 4 books for $1 to African American consumers if they agree to purchase X number of books over a two-year period. They now have 460,000+ Black readers as members and these individuals obtain many of their books this way, rather than shop at brick-and-mortar bookstores. A lot of the members of the club actually believe it is Black-owned, when it most definitely is not.
7) Unprofitable locations. Many of the Black-owned bookstores are located in predominantly Black neighborhoods. The reading population of Black consumers tends to be middle-class and these people tend to live in suburban areas and mixed-raced communities. The bookstores are not in proximity to their most likely clientele.
8) Poor management. Many people who opened Black bookstores did so because they had a passion for literature, but not necessarily because they had good business and management skills. A business requires experienced management in order to be successful. It also requires sacrifice -- one has to reinvest dollars into their business for the long-term, especially during the early years, and not take money out of the business for personal "bling."
9) Tough economic times. When the economy goes into a recession, the firms in the weakest position are among the many casualties. Many of the black-owned bookstores were already barely hanging on when the economy took a nose-dive in 2008. With limited financing and a dwindling clientele, they simply had no choice but to close their doors.
10) Lack of commitment from owners. Business ownership is not for the faint of heart and requires a tremendous commitment. Recessions will come and go, but if the commitment is there, the entrepreneur will find a way to adjust with the environment. It may be painful during the tough times, but faith, ingenuity, a willingness to be innovative and stay abreast of the industry will lead to ultimate success. To survive, these stores must figure out how to remain relevant.
1) Book sales migrated to the Internet. Most Black bookstores failed to take advantage of this trend. According to WebPro News, books are the #1 item people purchase online. Other brick-and-mortar chains, such as Blockbuster, also were flanked by their online competition, so this trend is not exclusive to bookstores.
2) Price competition. The advent of Internet sales ushered deep discounting on books. Because large online sites like, Amazon and Wal-Mart, are able to take advantage of volume discounts, Black bookstores could not match these discounted prices and, if they tried to, they were unable to maintain profitability.
3) Failure to diversify. With the advent of price competition and Internet book sales, diversification into other product lines was the only way Black bookstores stood a chance of maintaining viability. Most did not make this adjustment fast enough and some didn't make it at all.
4) African American Sections Added to stores like Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, WaldenBooks and Borders. Black consumers urged the major chains to include African American sections in their stores. Once this occurred, most Black consumers flocked to these stores for their purchases and kicked the Black bookstores to the curb. (See reason #5)
5) Lack of loyalty from consumers. African American consumers do not have a tradition of loyalty to Black-owned establishments. If they can purchase the same products at a white-owned (Asian-owned, or any non-black owned) establishment, they will do so FIRST. The vast majority will only shop at a black-owned establishment if they have no choice -- if they are unable to obtain a much-desired item elsewhere. This is the primary reason why dollars leave our community so rapidly, while other ethnic groups have loyalty to their merchants and turn dollars multiple times.
6) Black Expressions Book Club. Owned by Doubleday, Black Expressions Book Club has the financial resources to advertise in every major Black magazine in America. They offer 4 books for $1 to African American consumers if they agree to purchase X number of books over a two-year period. They now have 460,000+ Black readers as members and these individuals obtain many of their books this way, rather than shop at brick-and-mortar bookstores. A lot of the members of the club actually believe it is Black-owned, when it most definitely is not.
7) Unprofitable locations. Many of the Black-owned bookstores are located in predominantly Black neighborhoods. The reading population of Black consumers tends to be middle-class and these people tend to live in suburban areas and mixed-raced communities. The bookstores are not in proximity to their most likely clientele.
8) Poor management. Many people who opened Black bookstores did so because they had a passion for literature, but not necessarily because they had good business and management skills. A business requires experienced management in order to be successful. It also requires sacrifice -- one has to reinvest dollars into their business for the long-term, especially during the early years, and not take money out of the business for personal "bling."
9) Tough economic times. When the economy goes into a recession, the firms in the weakest position are among the many casualties. Many of the black-owned bookstores were already barely hanging on when the economy took a nose-dive in 2008. With limited financing and a dwindling clientele, they simply had no choice but to close their doors.
10) Lack of commitment from owners. Business ownership is not for the faint of heart and requires a tremendous commitment. Recessions will come and go, but if the commitment is there, the entrepreneur will find a way to adjust with the environment. It may be painful during the tough times, but faith, ingenuity, a willingness to be innovative and stay abreast of the industry will lead to ultimate success. To survive, these stores must figure out how to remain relevant.
The Church and the Economy
When economic times are tight, you can tell what a church's priorities are by the programs and services they cut. If a church is eliminating programs for the children, youth and needy, but are retaining the "bling" for the pastor -- e.g., jets, helicopters, high-end cars, expensive vacations -- then they've missed the meaning of Christianity.
The children and youth represent tomorrow, our future. In these times when Satan is busy trying to capture the souls and minds of our children with low moral standards and material excess, the church is needed more than ever. In addition, the government can do only so much for those in need. It is the church's charge to fill the gap.
Jesus set the example. He could have ridden in a chariot or a camel with eight "armor bearers" surrounding him, keeping the people at bay. Instead, he rode on a donkey, surrounded by the people, so he could tend to and address their needs.
The church is the body -- it is all of us. But if we are following leadership that is misguided, then we are individually to blame. We need to recommit ourselves to the original tenets of Christianity: Love God, love your fellow man, keep the commandments, win souls for Christ.
The children and youth represent tomorrow, our future. In these times when Satan is busy trying to capture the souls and minds of our children with low moral standards and material excess, the church is needed more than ever. In addition, the government can do only so much for those in need. It is the church's charge to fill the gap.
Jesus set the example. He could have ridden in a chariot or a camel with eight "armor bearers" surrounding him, keeping the people at bay. Instead, he rode on a donkey, surrounded by the people, so he could tend to and address their needs.
The church is the body -- it is all of us. But if we are following leadership that is misguided, then we are individually to blame. We need to recommit ourselves to the original tenets of Christianity: Love God, love your fellow man, keep the commandments, win souls for Christ.
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