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May 14, 2009
Chicago Family " Buy Black" Just Spreading Their Racism As Best They Can
Chicago Family's 'Buy Black' Experiment Becoming a Nationwide Movement
Atlanta
It's been two months since 2-year-old Cori pulled the gold stud from her left earlobe, and the piercing is threatening to close as her mother, Maggie Anderson, hunts for a replacement.
It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions.
Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.
"We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it."
So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.
Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention.
"We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's."
Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said.
Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action.
"The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said.
There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year.
The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.
One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament.
"When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way."
Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project.
"So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase."
Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses.
Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more.
"We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us."
The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country.
"The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now."
Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities.
"It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading."
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Wild Thing's comment..........
It’s their money, they can do with it as they see fit. But it should be labeled racism, because that is what it is.
Imagine if a white person said they were only going to shop at white owned businesses.
The ignorance of some people is astounding, but they are also so racist, and imo they chose to be. She says that after 400 years they don’t even have a Walgreen’s? What does she mean? There are many black owned businesses. Not enough to suit them, and perhaps not enough to meet every need they have.
They have a black president now, and there have been many black governors, congressmen, mayors, Supreme Court justices, college professors, professional people in all the professions.
Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about a society where people were judged on the content of their character rather than the color of their skin; these black people referenced in the article are doing the exact opposite.
Actor Morgan Freeman about race
......Thank you RAC for sending this to me.
RAC has a website that is awesome. 336th Assault Helicopter Company
13th Combat Aviation Battalion - 1st Aviation Brigade - Soc Trang, Republic of Vietnam
Posted by Wild Thing at May 14, 2009 05:48 AM
Comments
Racism pure and simple!!!
Posted by: James M at May 14, 2009 07:11 AM
You and I both know if a white person said he or she was only going to patronage a white-owned business, Sharpton and Jackson would be in their front yard, protesting and screaming racism. Teh reporting would be very different.
New flash! White folks aren't the only racists in the history of humankind.
MLK is weeping. Morgan Freeman said everything these race baiters do not want to hear.
Posted by: yankeemom at May 14, 2009 07:45 AM
Why is it okay for them to be racist when we can't? Now that it's not okay to use derogatory terms towards them, they are milking it for its worth. If they want to "buy black" then they can start their own businesses! What would they do? Put whites have to eat in the back? Sit in the back of the buses? Oh, can't go to that park-it's for blacks only. Can't go to that school-no whites allowed. They don't want equality, they want superiority and that is simple NOT right!!!!!!!! Stupid inbred idiots.
Posted by: Lynn at May 14, 2009 08:14 AM
This is the type of crap that divides this country. I don't have a clue who owns the businesses I shop at and I could care less. All I want from them is a fair price and service.
Posted by: BobF at May 14, 2009 09:08 AM
Probably the most extensive racism in America today is Black racism. It extends beyond bias against Whites to bias against other races such as Asians, Hispanics and Middle Easterners. I have heard Blacks publically complain about Korean or Indian shops in their neighborhood. They ask, "why aren't those shops owned by Blacks?". I can ask the same question. Could it be motivation?
Blacks complain about the anarchy in their neighborhods. Whose fault is that? It is their own leaders fault. They aren't putting bars on their windows and doors out of fear of the "White devil". It is fear of their own.
Let them support their own businessmen. I think that is all right. Maybe it will better their neighborhoods. But stop being racists and stop blaming others for your own dysfunctions.
Posted by: TomR at May 14, 2009 11:59 AM
Tom nailed it. The Black Leaders are the probem, they are to blame for alot the racism today. But why do Black's need a special leader are they mere sheep and can not think for themselves ? But the few that do think for themselves are 'Uncle Tom's' or an 'Oreo'.
This mentality has turned into a class of 'you owe me' and I aint gonna do a thing until I get mine.
So now it is shop at black owned businesses only. What if all the white truckers said they wouldn't deliver to black businesses.
If Maggie Anderson had a clue she'd wait til the child was old enough to put in an earring, also the kid probably swallowed the damn thing she probably could have eventurlly found it.
Cheer up Maggie, they still sell 'Pomade' at the local drugstore.
Posted by: Mark at May 14, 2009 12:32 PM
I'm shocked I tell ya!!! Does that separate them from the Muzzies???
Posted by: Jack at May 14, 2009 03:06 PM
Black History Month, Black Entertainment TV, Jet Magazine. Mexican Independence Day, Cinco Da Mayo,Gay Pride Parade, San Francisco. What the fuck? When are we going to have "Whitey Day" or a "Caucasian American Pride Parade? Something is terribly wrong with America and I don't like what I'm seeing.
Posted by: cuchieddie (DHS suspected terrorist)) at May 14, 2009 03:48 PM
You know, I need to start an organization for the improvement of everyone not represented by the NAACP.......
NOi-NAACP is what it could be called
Posted by: M. Christopher at May 15, 2009 11:05 AM
