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Don't be a spectator

John Templeton · Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:57AM · 863 views
When the NFL season starts, you can't jump out on the field and play for your favorite team. But between now and November, every American citizen has the opportunity to be part of the political season as a contributor.
Although Sen. Obama may be the first black candidate in history to substantially outraise his white opponents, it is a different story for most other black candidates. On the 26th, we're suggesting that contributions to a black political candidate are a good way to observe National Black Business Month. Politics and business are intertwined.
If the government hadn't decided that software could be copyrighted, Bill Gates would not have his billions. However, there are several states considering the end of affirmative action and myriad local issues.
Because of campaign finance limits, there is some ability for average famillies to make an impact, particularly by organizing others with similar minds.
Here's one way to look at it as an investment.
When the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts were passed in the 1960s, the average black household income was $3,000 and 80 percent of blacks were laborers or domestic workers.
Now that income is ten times higher and there is a much broader dispersion of occupations, while still nowhere near parity.
The pressing need today is to prevent a rollback of previous gains and that is definitely worth an investment of your time or your money.

About the Author

John Templeton Francisco, CA

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Comments (2)

Barbara Dixon Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 2:08PM

I agree that we need to support our political interests financially and in action. Obama has created a new model for running a campaign and the biggest change has been his use of technology. I invite people to not only get involved, but to get educated. Learn how to use technology, it flattens the world, removes geographical barriers, and to some degree racial barriers. There is the potential for anonymity using technology. We need to be smart. Technology can be a great tool for leveling the playing field.

John Templeton Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 2:50PM

we just have to be audacious enough to take that step. fifty years ago there wasn't a single black player in the NBA. Chuck Cooper had to step out on faith.
check out our 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology at souloftechnology.com

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