Let’s play POLITICS
Perhaps instead of collective efforts blacks need to focus on a more individual approach to solving “black issues.” While we could discuss all day what exactly is keeping blacks in such a poor state the reality of the matter is that we all won’t agree on the proper organization to represent us (NUL, NAACP), Political Party to represent our concerns (Republican, Democrat, Green Party, Libertarian etc.)
Should blacks abandon the Democratic Party? Let’s explore. What the party means (supposedly) to blacks is a concern for social issues…poverty, education, unfair housing practices, access to affordable healthcare and a voice for the downtrodden. Essentially a party that fights against systems of our country that negatively affects a great deal of minority communities whether it be from Inner City Newark, New Jersey or Rural—Delta Helena, Arkansas. Should “The Community” abandon its long alliance to the Dems or is it due time behave in our own individual interests. After all what’s good for the goose is good for the gander? Right? Right?
State of the BLACK CHURCH
Woke up with a question on my mind…Where are our churches? The churches were once the backbone of society; they saved souls, clothed the naked, fed the starving, and nursed the ill. What happened? Our society really shouldn’t be so heavily dependent on welfare and government assistance. Maybe it’s the conservative in me.
Where are they on issues like voter registration, AIDS/HIV, teen pregnancy, higher education? Hell where in the heck is the “new” church van we been tithing for? Maybe the church is too busy hiding sex scandals or maybe it’s too arrogant to examine itself and admit its flaws.
Welfare does not mean We’ll Fair the storm of Poverty.
I believe the welfare system needs reform. It’s a trap; a clandestine vise to ensure poverty and lack of social mobility. Mostly the later. During the 50s and 60s blacks were not allowed to buy homes in newly developed suburban areas where whites were majority homeowners. Soldiers returning home from World War II were granted the G.I. Bill whites also signed mortgages that included clauses that forbade the sale of their home to blacks. The government also marked down the value of property based on the number of African Americans in the neighborhood — a practice called redlining. That’s right the U.S. government sanctioned actions that we now consider Fair Housing violations.
So blacks were thus disadvantaged from adequate housing and limited in career advancement.
Housing projects sprang up; there was an increase in TEA, SNAPS, more food pantries, drug use. All in a congested concrete high-rise that facilitated the breeding ground for gang violence, STD’s, teen pregnancy, suicide, despair, destruction of the nuclear black family etc. If you are essentially steered into a neighborhood with dismal job opportunity, widespread poverty, poor building maintenance I’m sure any sociologists/psychologist/historian/Tom, Dick or Harry will tell you that the Crab in A Barell is on the horizon.
As a college student I know the struggle, livin’ hand to mouth. I personally think all college students should receive precedents for food stamps work-study or not. Especially if the aim is to assist until the aid is no longer needed. Who better than someone seeking higher education. According to some proponents of decreased Public Assistance if these people got off their butt and sought a college degree they’d increase their earning potential. College students = Job market a lot sooner than the single working mom. That’s my argument for those who say nobody’s on/or wants to be on Public Assistance but the lazy. One shouldn’t be penalized for attempting to better their life.
Not to mention I’m from the Delta, that’s right Eastern Arkansas. Phillips County born and raised and I speak firsthand about hunger, homelessness, subpar education, domestic violence, limited access to positive outlets etc. (I’m notorious for lists lol ]…back to my original idea. Welfare reform, I strongly believe it should only be used to supplement an income that is not sufficient enough to purchase a nutritious meal (fruits and vegetables included) outside of the “welfare staple” of buy-in-bulk overly processed junk foods that often find their way into the mouths of children whose parents lack the necessary income to provide such meals.
Opportunity starts with a meal and nutritional meal preparing courses, grants to vocational schools but first in foremost a good meal. Arkansas ranks pretty high when it comes to child hunger and low in college degrees. See the connection?
Pull ya’self up by Your Boot straps
People will give you jive about a lasseiz-faire economy and blah blah but potential ain’ much without necessary education and true opportunity. We live in a country where we’re told to embrace free enterprise that at any time, anyone has the ability to change his socio-economic status. That capitalism is good for us all because it means we have equal opportunity to be If we can be honest about the state of our nation, Capitalism of its self-guarantees disproportion of wealth. That in and of itself is not necessarily bad but the majority of Americans are blocked from the true opportunity and access. I personally get so tired of hearing internet trolls and the misinformed yell “My grandpa did it; they can too” or “Maybe if they got off their lazy butt.”
The black community knows all too well the self-determination (agency) vs. environment (systemic) arguments about upward mobility. I fall somewhere in between, in saying I can get my own boots (the business plan), you just give me the straps (small business loan) and I’ll pull myself up.
And why aren’t there many blacks supporting the Occupy Movement? That does tie into our goals of economic development and independence right?
