What Can I Do?

At the risk of sounding super negative, I'll go ahead and say it.  "We" are lost.  When I look around at society today I am not encouraged by what I see.  Have we made progress? Sure.  The better question is: Have we made enough progress?  To which, the answer is a resounding no.  I know people want to point the finger at the few examples of Black people who have not only attained, but maintained a certain level of success or status, but they are the exceptions, not the rule.  

The Bible says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee...".  What we don't know is killing us and keeping us in positions that are detrimental on every level.  Why don't we have the knowledge we need to succeed?  Who is stopping us from attaining it?  Why don't we as a whole realize or recognize this need for knowledge and make the necessary changes to put ourselves in position to have success?

In my opinion, we (collectively) lack the knowledge that we need, and then we reject it when it is presented to us.  How can we change the mindset of a people to reject the poison that is destroying us, and instead work together to change our overall position and standing in society?  Lack of knowledge leads to a lack of action which leads to a lack of power which puts us in a position of weakness and dependency.

I began thinking about what we can do to create real change, level the playing field, and begin to close the generational gaps that currently exist.  I came up with a list of a few things that I believe are a good start to begin to put us on the right path.  I don’t claim to have all the answers or to know more than anyone else, however I do see the need for not only this list, but an expansion and an execution of the items within it.  So, what can you do?

1. Start and invest in your own business.

   1. We have the talent and the ability. We need to have the faith to do it and support those of us who have already done it.
      

2. Research minority businesses with a goal of supporting them.
   

3. Invest in existing minority businesses.

   1. Not necessarily shopping, but invest in helping them grow and thrive.

   2. How can we help each other?

   3. How can I support you even though I may not have a need for your good or service?

   4. Share links to minority businesses, especially those with great services/products. Help them grow.
      

4. Shop minority businesses (without looking for/asking for a discount).
   

5. Hold minority businesses with poor goods/services accountable.

   1. Do they need assistance improving some aspect of their business? 

   2. Provide constructive criticism with a goal of improvement.

   3. Link them with another minority business that can help if possible.
      

6. Work with minority-owned banks. (list of minority banks: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/black-owned-banks-fight-to-bounce-back/#list )
   
   Historically, the financial needs of minority and low-to-moderate-income communities were often ignored. Loan requests were frequently denied or approved with much higher interest rates and collateral requirements. Motivated by these discriminatory practices, which are collectively known as redlining, minority banks were formed to empower minorities and low-to-moderate-income communities by providing them with access to credit, capital and financial services.

   Minority banks still play a crucial role to many minority and low-to-moderate-income communities and small businesses, often serving as the only safe option for them to do business. Without minority banks, many minorities and low- to-moderate-income customers would be susceptible to predatory practices, such as payday loans and car title loans that only keep them in debt.

   Minority banks have a special skill set and understanding of cultural practices and norms that positions them to reach out to a cross-section of Americans—something majority-owned banks may not have. Minority bank shareholders, directors, officers and staff know and understand the culture and language of the communities they serve, allowing them to customize culturally sensitive products and services. For example, serving a community with first- and second-generation Chinese immigrants requires the ability to overcome issues of trust, language barriers, and customs.

   1. Open an account

   2. For personal deposits and loans.

   3. For business deposits and loans.
      

7. Donate your time and expertise.

   1. Share what you know and help lift someone else up.

      1. Mentor youth.

      2. Mentor/Counsel adults.

      3. Perform community service.

      4. How can you help build up your community? Think of ways to improve your community, you are the expert.

      5. Attend PTA meetings.

      6. Attend community meetings.
         

8. Filter/Boycott

   1. Boycott things that are counter-productive to our community and the goals we are working toward. Support things that are positive and actually helpful to our community.

      1. Television stations and shows.

      2. Music.

      3. Movies.

      4. Food.

      5. Events.
         

9. Start investing in minority farming.

   1. Donate your time to assist existing minority farms/farmers.

   2. Donate your money – purchase produce/dairy/meat.

   3. Donate your expertise to help them grow and expand.
      

10. Start a farm yourself.

    1. Purchase land and work it.

    2. Sell your products.

    3. Work toward mass producing and distributing your products.
       

11. Invest in Land and Land Holding.

    1. This is currently being done by land holders in areas such as Baltimore and Detroit (just to name a few) where land is being purchased and held until the opportunity arises to sell and get a maximum return on their investment(s).
       

12. Invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401Ks.
    A lot of people hesitate or have anxiety about the stock market. It is important to learn and begin investing if you haven't already.

    1. Utilize small investing companies to start and learn about the market and investing (like Stockpile, Acorns, Robinhood for example).

    2. Research. Read books and learn about the market.

    3. Watch for market trends and invest.

    4. Utilize gains to invest in the community to help it thrive.
       

13. Run for political office.
    We need seats at the table. There is currently only ONE African-American Republican Senator and TWO African-American Democrat Senators in the Senate. This is disheartening and not representative of the demographics of our country.

    1. Run for Local office.

    2. Run for State office.

    3. Run for National office.
       

14. Organize.
    Meet, determine needs and develop agendas, and create policies. Lobby to get the agenda items implemented.

    1. Local Agenda

    2. City/County/State Agenda

    3. National Agenda
       

15. Vote.

    1. Support minorities that represent us and our interests.

    2. If there is no minority candidate, or there isn’t one that you feel comfortable supporting, hold those running accountable for acting on our needs and our interests/agenda.

16. Hold your friends and family accountable.

    1. Break cycles of poor health, poor eating habits, poor/destructive behavior.

    2. Break cycles of dysfunction and poor communication.

17. Hold your religious organizations and leaders accountable.

    1. Where are the tithes and offerings that are collected by your organization sent to? Is your organization sending money to financial institutions who will not lend to the very same members of your congregation?

    2. Is your organization reaching out to help your community in every way possible?

    3. Are programs in place to assist the community and if so are they well advertised?
       

18. Support minority entrepreneurs.
    

19. Invest in our collective health.

    1. Learn how to eat properly and do it regularly.

    2. Learn how to exercise properly and do it regularly.

    3. Teach our children how to eat and exercise properly and do it regularly.

    4. Get mental health support, eliminate the stigma associated with mental health.
       

20. Invest in Black/Minority Publishing.

    1. For far too long misinformation has been distributed to the masses, distorting the truth and fostering hatred and mistrust of certain groups of people to allow others to gain supremacy and advance their agendas.

    2. School text books are full of lies and misinformation and presented as truth despite being presented with hard evidence disproving what has been taught to children all over this nation for decades.

    3. It is time to challenge publishers and hold them accountable for printing misinformation.  It is time to break up the monopolies they hold on school districts and allow new books with updated, corrected, factual information to be distributed and taught from.
       

21. READ!
    We are doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the past if we are ignorant of them.

    1. Everything you need to know is in a book that is available somewhere.

    2. Search for a book about something that you are interested in and read it.

    3. Read about the minority history that has been suppressed and whitewashed.

    4. Read about leaders, their successes and failures – learn!

This list is by no means a complete one; it needs modification, and I welcome needed changes and additions.  The list requires an acceptance of truth and responsibility, as well as a commitment to making changes that will benefit you, your family, and society as a whole.  The change starts with you.  What are you going to do?