Some onlookers dismiss “buy Black” advocacy as something either “radical” or “cute to do” but it’s much bigger than that. The poverty, crime and poor education in the Black community can be improved by the support of current and creation of more community-owned, businesses. That’s a fact. Elections come every two to four years, but everyday we vote with dollars.
Just like hip hop artists rapping about shoes or alcohol with no endorsement deal, Black people give up their power and influence every time we spend money with people who have no vested interest in our community.
As a whole, Black people are ignorant to the principles of economic development. Poor Blacks spend money with Arabs and Asians via corner stores, nail shops and beauty supply stores, while middle class Blacks spend their money on expensive cars, alcohol and designer clothes by European designers. Regardless to education, we give our money away, thus failing to control our own community and making our communities ripe for crime and violence and both political and police corruption.
While each Black business owner can express their particular reason for being in business, the big picture goal of “buy Black” campaigns is to build a healthy flow of currency and resources wherein the community buys from Black businesses who then reinvest in the community via job creation and donations to community organizations and faith-based institutions.
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Check out these nine reasons to buy Black, adapted with permission from the American Independent Business Alliance.
Create Real Democracy: Politics without economics is symbol without substance. Black business ownership means residents with roots in the community are involved in key development decisions that shape Black people’s lives and local environment.
Create Jobs and Opportunities: Not only do independent businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also are the customers of local printers, accountants, restaurants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, media outlets, and etc which help in the expansion of opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Research concludes that if we increased revenue generated in Black businesses to just two percent, we could create a million jobs.
