In part one we touched upon the seriousness of our condition & why it is so important to support our own. We also heard from one my online friends who just happened to be white her thoughts on the subject.

In this post I will detail a conversation that I had with a person who is a successful businessman & whom I respect very much. Are Buy Black Campaigns Racist Part2

Here is the response from my friend after receiving a message from me about the Black Business Builders Club & it’s programs:

DJ:“I like what you are attempting to do. However I am wondering if your cause would be More effective if done as an Individual. Case In Point.. Oprah, Collin Powell, and Condalisa Rice. They have done much to help the Black Society in General, Individually. Both General Powell, and Ms Rice were pretty much shunned by both our Liberal Press and much of the Black Society itself.Yet Still were they not Shinning Stars, who were in Fact Black, embraced their Blackness, and have given much back to the Black Society as a whole.. I would consider Myself to be conservative in Nature. I believe that we All follow our own Path, and are steered down that Path by our Openness to new Things, and our experiences because of that Openness. I don’t believe in any form of Limitation, we as A Black Society have suffered that, and have now come out of the other side. Self Segregation had it’s time, and it’s Purpose was served. I do not wish to be a Part of anything that everyone can not be a part of.Please know that I am a Strong believer in something called “Pay It Forward” even though it was conceived by a White Kid, there is nothing that says I can not Choose whom I help As an Individual. I can Help substantially 3 People at a time. When each one of them helps 3, and each one of them Helps 3, and so it Goes.. Have you not done something substantial for both a single Person, and the Community as an Individual. It is My belief that the Individuals are the Key to Turning around Blacks, as a Society.The Thinking must Change, if Blacks are to Change as a Society. It’s my View that that is done one mind at a time. Much of what you have said in your Profile has Merit.If Blacks wish other Blacks to do Business with them, then the Goods and services must be as good or better then those offered elsewhere. I like everyone else want the most for every Dollar spent. I will give All of My Business to anyone who makes me Feel Special, I don’t care who they are.. Black Business People should keep this simple fact in their awareness.Well I must go now.. It has been a Pleasure speaking with you. I would like to know your thoughts on some of the Issues I have raised.”

My response:
Hi, I understand & appreciate your views on the matter.
We cannot solve our economic & social problems as individuals. However that does not take away the value of independent achievement. I want to paraphrase a quote from one of my favorite movies . The Untouchables: Al Capone is having a meeting with his fellow gangsters and he talks about baseball. ” When you are at bat it is time for individual achievement.However when you are in the outfield we have to work together as a team. If your team loses your achievement counts for nothing.” Excuse my paraphrase of the quote but you understand the point. If we like it or not by birth all Black people are on the same team! If the team is failing then we all are failing. President Obama Dr. Rice, Gen. Powell , Oprah are my heroes and there achievements should be celebrated in our communities & give hope to our youth! However they still play for a losing team. Just look at how they treated the Harvard professor. No matter what we accomplish as individuals in the eyes of the world we are still the bottom of the barrel. As long as most of our people are mired in poverty and hopelessness then we can never truly enjoy our individual accomplishments .I have been in business for many years and have enjoyed the fruits of my labor,However there was always something missing. I needed to give back, I needed to catch one for the team!That’s why I am so excited about the BBBC & it’s programs. Our economic unity & collective consciousness is what is needed to solve this problem.
With that in mind I want to say that I am for the prosperity of all human beings & the BBBC membership is open to all people. However we must take care of home first. If you are great swimmer and you see two people drowning & one them is a member of your family. Who are you going to save first? After your family member is safe on the beach then & only then will you attempt to save the others. It’s only human nature to take care of your own first. Our people are drowning & we need great swimmers like yourself to help get them out of the water.
I have to agree with you that some of our Black business owners have an inferior mindset when it comes to business. I call it the “Open Late & Close Early Syndrome ”
That is one of the missions of the BBBC is to properly train business owners to build stronger businesses in our community. The BBBC is not just a wealth building club it is about truly empowering our people to become self sufficient leaders not just in our community but in the world. It is about changing the attitudes & dispelling the myths. www.blackunitedsuccess.com TO BE CONTINUED