BIA members are missing an nvaluable opportunity, in my opinion …
Seriously. Here we are in the 21st Century, all connected at the fingertips, even better than having face-to-face conversations b/c we actually get time to re-think our responses before we say them. We're fortunate enough to have conversations with educated people from all over the country — and a few who are from outside the country. And we spend this valuable medium, an almost exclusive forum to post what? Daily prayers? Whether or not a guy with a near single digit IQ is capable of leading us into a country of our own with the US borders? Rehashed news that was seen on last CNN last night … b/c it had a BLACK PERSON in it?
I get some of the far-fetched ideas — and this is a good forum to discuss things like a mass exodus to the homeland. Where else can you have that conversation? I'm not going, but that's what I'm talkin' about … a DEEP discussion with fellow countrymen in [almost] real-time. We could be spending this valuable time planning and digesting even more good ideas. I was listening to a commercial the other day and heard this white guy ask another if he would invest in his business idea and instantly I thought, THAT’s what we should be discussing! That’s what white people have done for years, invest in a good idea when even if someone else thought of it first. Not us. Or at least not up until now. I’m sure there are some blacks on here who have invested in Wall Street, why not invest in Main Street? It appalls me that we don't even own GROCERY stores! One popped up in Houston years ago and, although I never stepped foot in it, could tell it was black-owned by its name: "Our Own Grocery Store". WTF??? We need to digest and apply successful strategies. And those who don't know how to be successful, others should step in and offer assistance. It'll make the future brighter for everyone.
And before anyone replies that I should put up or shut up I DO. Even if it's not with dollars. Even on here, I have offered my graphic design services to Mr. Fleming to help him offer a few more attractive, professional posters to potential buyers/investors. If I had given him money, isn't that what he would have done with it anyway? In my hometown there's a newspaper that's been around for 27+ years. Last year I was going to advertise with them, but hated how their front page looked (not to mention the poor grammar), and I thought about how we always say the media "misrepresents" us by always trotting out the most ignorant among (yes, that's a word, people) us. And thought to myself, "this IS the media. OUR media, who's misrepresenting us NOW???" And, for two reasons, 1.) I didn't want my ad seen in such a publication and 2.) knowing that white people LOVE to pick up our stuff and LOL at it's poor quality, I offered to re-design their masthead (logo for a newspaper) … FREE OF CHARGE! They graciously accepted, of course, then hired me to re-design their web site. Hell, I actually CREATED a client although that wasn't my intent. In fact now I edit the site's contents often and have given them tips on improving their overall quality.
There are others, too. But will save those for another day.
But, we don't even TALK [much] about business-related topics here (except for MLM … UGH!!!); instead we spend valuable time posting sophomoric prayers and quoting scriptures from a book that's been outdated for over 2,000 years now. Good grief, people … no wonder we're at the bottom of the totem pole.
That being said, I encourage US to begin dialogue that's going to improve our collective status as a people in the world. Not just in the "eyes" of the world — but actually improve to a position of power and respect. We have an almost a secret society under the guise of BIA, let's use it like the Mafia — not just to gossip and share fruitless prayers.
I get some of the far-fetched ideas — and this is a good forum to discuss things like a mass exodus to the homeland. Where else can you have that conversation? I'm not going, but that's what I'm talkin' about … a DEEP discussion with fellow countrymen in [almost] real-time. We could be spending this valuable time planning and digesting even more good ideas. I was listening to a commercial the other day and heard this white guy ask another if he would invest in his business idea and instantly I thought, THAT’s what we should be discussing! That’s what white people have done for years, invest in a good idea when even if someone else thought of it first. Not us. Or at least not up until now. I’m sure there are some blacks on here who have invested in Wall Street, why not invest in Main Street? It appalls me that we don't even own GROCERY stores! One popped up in Houston years ago and, although I never stepped foot in it, could tell it was black-owned by its name: "Our Own Grocery Store". WTF??? We need to digest and apply successful strategies. And those who don't know how to be successful, others should step in and offer assistance. It'll make the future brighter for everyone.
And before anyone replies that I should put up or shut up I DO. Even if it's not with dollars. Even on here, I have offered my graphic design services to Mr. Fleming to help him offer a few more attractive, professional posters to potential buyers/investors. If I had given him money, isn't that what he would have done with it anyway? In my hometown there's a newspaper that's been around for 27+ years. Last year I was going to advertise with them, but hated how their front page looked (not to mention the poor grammar), and I thought about how we always say the media "misrepresents" us by always trotting out the most ignorant among (yes, that's a word, people) us. And thought to myself, "this IS the media. OUR media, who's misrepresenting us NOW???" And, for two reasons, 1.) I didn't want my ad seen in such a publication and 2.) knowing that white people LOVE to pick up our stuff and LOL at it's poor quality, I offered to re-design their masthead (logo for a newspaper) … FREE OF CHARGE! They graciously accepted, of course, then hired me to re-design their web site. Hell, I actually CREATED a client although that wasn't my intent. In fact now I edit the site's contents often and have given them tips on improving their overall quality.
There are others, too. But will save those for another day.
But, we don't even TALK [much] about business-related topics here (except for MLM … UGH!!!); instead we spend valuable time posting sophomoric prayers and quoting scriptures from a book that's been outdated for over 2,000 years now. Good grief, people … no wonder we're at the bottom of the totem pole.
That being said, I encourage US to begin dialogue that's going to improve our collective status as a people in the world. Not just in the "eyes" of the world — but actually improve to a position of power and respect. We have an almost a secret society under the guise of BIA, let's use it like the Mafia — not just to gossip and share fruitless prayers.
Craig, you bring up some great points. We are all witnessing the fall of America (the recession). And with the economy in the current state it’s in, we should all focus more on being self sufficient and crewating more Black businesses for ourselves.
However, I must say the blog ending is a little harsh. I’m not quite sure where your statement of our BIA members “sharing fruitless prayers”with each other came from. Besides, wasn’t it taught that the family that prays together stays together?
Just a thought brother. Unlike some of these members, I'm not into tit for tat.