A Black History Refection: Before Affirmative Action
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Posted By: Ivan Butcher II on February 25, 2011 I can remember growing up in the 50’s, when our communities were more self-sufficient. To me, Affirmative Action divided and destroyed what semblance of togetherness we had as a people. Affirmative Action was designed to Window Dress, creating a crabs in the barrel black society. Affirmative Action is kinda like the Pyramid schemes. Most of those educated and skilled, who understood the scam, took advantage of the opportunity. They were the ones, who were serving as role models, they began moving on up and out of the neighborhoods. When Malcolm talked of self-sufficiency, he was accused of separatism. The reality is that within the 50 states we are many nations in one nation. It is clear that family and social values are paramount in connecting with humanity. We African Americans are a Family and it is time that we begin working toward our own Families’ interests. “Charity begins at Home”, is not separatism nor selfishness. The neglecting of ourselves and relying on others to provide for us, nurtures that negative perception other families have of our communities. Until we as a people take ownership of our own financial, political and social destiny we will be seen as not deserving of others’ respect. Today it is not a whole lot about fighting for our rights; it is more of how we should exercise our rights. For one, making sure that we are being treated fairly with the allocation of government contracts, loans, grants, scholarships, etc. and with the contracting of capital improvement projects. With a unified voice some of these infrastructure projects will be developed and built by us in our communities. This new world market, which can only expand, provides opportunities that abound; we have family and in-laws around the world, and when the companies and industries begin finding that potential clients and customers are looking to patronize businesses that are more reflective of their family members. Those qualified will be in higher demand and will be represented from the top executives to the receptionists. Those of us who are more fortunate should become entrepreneurs in revitalizing our communities. We as a Family need to get out of debt and pool our resources, and make our children, our Elders and the Legacy of our Ancestors, Proud! Ivan Butcher II If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Ivan Butcher II
Business Proprietor, The Butcher Shop of the Virgin Islands Member Since February 2008 |
Comments
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Great post Ivan!
Friday, February 25th 2011 at 3:04PM |
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I chose to address the negative impact of Affirmative Action, which I was a benefactor. My questions are: How many of them returned to serve in their communities, like before AA? How many of them sent / send their children to HBCU, and have they gone back into the black communities, like before AA? How many are entrepreneurs and educators, etc, in our communities, like before AA? Right now, HBCUs are failing because of financing. Before AA, the black institutions of higher learning were the primary schools Blacks and non-white foreigners attended. I recently traveled with the hiking group, which I am a member, and in Jamaica, we visited the Maroon Cockpit Country. I was so disappointed, the Elder expressed their autonomy and pride, but they accept donations. When I asked where was their schools and clinics, he told us that they send their children to Government schools. That meant to me no one returned to provide those self sustaining services. Teach begins in the Home As an educator, I really support home schooling up to the point when you are confident that your children are prepared to socialize. I remember how my family made it clear that if a family had bad habits, that they were not going to allow us to be influenced by them. A big break down in the black families has been our children being left to watch white children on TV, in Movies and cartoons cursing and talking back to their parents and Elders. I could go on or I could talk of the positives, but the negative is what needs to be addressed, from my perspective. Saturday, February 26th 2011 at 4:14PM |
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