Black Consumer Report

NATIONAL BLACK OUT DAY

Black consumers are asked to mark their calendars for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2007, National Black Out Day.

Please spread to at least five other people and make sure you inform them to send the info to five other people, to spread the word.

National Black Out Day on November 2....Do not make any purchases on this day but please do not make any major $ amount purchases, the day before or the day after because then the Black Out will be of no effect. This is from 102.5 radio station (Atlanta); they are asking their listeners to spread the word for those who may not listen to the station. This is the second phase from the Jena 6 and many other cities and people of color are facing similar situation like the Jena 6.

Black Enterprise & The N-Word

The comedian Eddie Griffin recently headlined Black Enterprise’s Annual Golf and Tennis Challenge in Miami Fla. 

Approximately 10 minutes into his n-word-laced act, publisher Earl Graves cut the mic. Moments later, Graves appeared on stage and addressed the audience explaining that Griffin's microphone was turned off because of his repeated use of the n-word. For this action, Mr. Graves received a standing ovation. 

We at Black Enterprise will not allow our culture to go backward," Graves said. "Black Enterprise stands for decency, Black culture and dignity."

WHAT'S BILL COSBY SAYING THESE DAYS?

In the book “Who’s Afraid of a Large Black Man?, Charles Barkley asked several celebrities about Bill Cosby’s comments regarding the state of young Black people.

For the most part they all agreed with what he had to say, but some disagreed with how he expressed his thoughts. 

I thought it would be important to hear from Bill Cosby again.  Is he out of touch with reality or is he right.  I for one agree with his comments.  What about you?

"We Can't Blame White People" by BILL COSBY

"They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English. 

I can't even talk the way these people talk:, Why you ain't;  Where you is;  What he drive;  Where he stay;  Where he work;  Who you be.

And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk.

Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor
with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth. In fact you will never get any kind of job making a
decent living. People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an education, and now
we've got these knuckleheads walking around. The lower economic people are not holding up
their end in this deal.

These people are not parenting.  They are buying things for kids. $500 sneakers for what? 
And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics. 
I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit.

Where were you when he was 2?  Where were you when he was 12? 
Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol? 
And where is the father?  Or who is his father?

People putting their clothes on backward: Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong?
People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something? 
Or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up?
Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?

What part of Africa did this come from?    We are not Africans.  Those people are not Africans;
they don't know a thing about Africa.  With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them are in jail.

Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem.

We have got to take the neighborhood back. People used to be ashamed.  Today a woman
has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or men or whatever you call them now.
We have millionaire football players who cannot read. We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs.  We as black folks have to do a better job.  Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.

We have to start holding each other to a higher standard. We cannot blame the white people any longer."

WHO’S AFRAID OF A LARGE BLACK MAN?

Who’s Afraid Of A Large Black Man by Charles Barkley is worthwhile reading.

Yes, my reaction to this book was much like yours, why should I read a book by Charles Barkley, a basketball player?  I’ve watched him play his entire career and admit he was one the best.  I’ve watched him on TV as a commentator and it’s clear he knows what he’s talking about, but at times he can be “over the top”.  So, why did I buy this book?  Call it a hunch; I guess I thought it would be interesting to reading about my favorite sport, from one of the best.

To my surprise, when I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down.  First, it’s not what I thought it would be; it’s a, well done, series of frank and probing discussions from a variety of celebrities on the subject of race in America.  One of the many things I found interesting was who Charles selected to be a part of the book.  Quite frankly, some of the people I would not have selected, but I must admit, they all provided interesting and candid insights into this very sensitive subject.  And, Charles’ comments were a unique technique that brought all of the interviews together into a one cohesive thought.

This is a wonderful gift for anyone, but for every young Black man it will be a life changing experience.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Now that the mid-term elections are over, and the Democrats have control of the house and senate, DeVal Patrick was elected governor of Massachusetts but Harold Ford Jr did not win his bid for senator of the state of Tennessee.  My earlier thoughts were that the results from these two races would tell us a lot about the state of racism in American.

Both candidates ran excellent campaigns, they dealt with the issues, remained clear about their solutions, stayed away from slander and attack, and did not use their race as an issue, but made it very clear that they were committed to all of the people of their respective states. 

So what have we learned?  Given the results you could concluded that northern states have moved on, while southern states have not.  Or, blue state will remain blue and red states will remain red.  Or, as one political consultant asked, about these results, ‘how hip was the room?’, concluding Massachusetts is hip on race and Tennessee isn’t.  Said another way, Tennessee was just not ready for an African American senator.  I conclude the latter, Tennessee is not quite ready. 

However, progress has been made; 3% was the margin of difference, but let’s not kid ourselves, much work is needed.  Meaning, someday in my lifetime, we’ll be able to realize that the content of one’s character and not the color of one’s skin, will be our focus. When this happens well all be better for it.

A BAROMETER OF RACISM

There are two political races that, for me, are a barometer for the state of racism in America.  DeVal Patrick for Governor of the State of Massachusetts a blue state and Representative Harold Ford Jr. for Senator of the State of Tennessee traditionally a red state.  Both are democrats, African Americans and highly qualified for the positions that they are seeking.  They are proven, intelligent, sensible, trustworthy leaders who will make a difference.

Clearly the obstacles are significant but, as of this writing they are ahead in the polls.  But as one political advisor told me, when it comes to African American candidates, it is politically correct to say that you’ll vote for them, but when the curtain closes people generally vote their heart, which tends not to be for the Black candidate.

Well, things are changing (or we hope they are) in America and I strongly believe the candidate that demonstrates a commitment to making a difference will win.  Both Patrick and Ford have demonstrated that they can and will make a difference.  However, it would be a shamed if that political advisor is correct. If they win, will it mean that Americans have moved on, regarding race?  Or if they lose, does it mean that, that political consultant is right and we’re stuck in this nasty maze of racism?

I, for one, say we’ve moved forward.  It is not the color of your skin, but your ability to have a positive impact on the lives of Americans, resolve the war, fix our health care system, improve our education system, deal with crime and insure that people are working, just to name a few.

So, if you are in the key boards shout of this computer and are committed to an America as the founding fathers intended, then do what you can to elect these two individuals.