December 29, 2011
David Banner’s New Year’s Resolutions for the Black Community in 2012
New Year’s Resolutions
So, in 2012, what can the Black community learn from each of these three aforementioned scenarios? The answer is… much.
Lesson 1
The story of LeBron, Dwyane and Chris is a lesson in uniting of the now fractured Black community toward the common goals of economic and political independence. LeBron’s story also represents the shedding of the “crabs in a barrel,†“dog eat dog†pursuit of individual advancement and the adoption of group cooperation toward a collective goal. Much like LeBron, Dwyane and Chris, the Black community, collectively, has both the skills and the resources to act independently.
New Year’s Resolution 1: Assert Our Economic and Financial Independence Through Group Economics
A recent report that garnered much attention highlighted the immense spending power of the Black community. According to the study, by the year 2015 the total spending power of the Black community will exceed $1 trillion. Put simply, as Black people we spend an amount of money that makes us the equivalent of the 16th largest nation on earth. But, as our present condition clearly shows, merely HAVING money to spend doesn’t equate to having “power†or experiencing “progress.†The fact of the matter is we don’t practice group economics. What good is having the spending power of $1 trillion if that money only circulates within the Black community zero to one time? Other economically successful communities (Hispanic, Asian and Jewish) see their dollars circulate within their communities 6, 9 and 12 times before it’s spent outside of their community.
Their practice of group economics has catapulted them to economic self-sufficiency and independence, and following the cooperative and goal oriented example of LeBron can eventually lead the Black community to self-sufficiency and independence in 2012.
Lesson 2
Our relationship with the Democratic Party is a clear-cut example of the dangers of not leveraging our influence and our voting strength. To represent such an integral and dedicated block of votes while continuously having our specific interests ignored is the height of arrogance on the part of the Democratic Party and a gross display of irresponsibility on the part of the Black community.
New Year’s Resolution 2: Assert Our Political Independence by Demanding Our Interests Be Addressed
Some in our community have argued that presenting a “Black Agenda†to politicians is unrealistic. “President Obama is the President for ALL people in America, not just Black people,†so the argument goes. As a result, we shouldn’t expect him–or his party–to specifically target our community’s needs with policies and legislation. To be sure, the President should indeed be an advocate for all segments of our society. But, advocating for all segments of society actually necessitates addressing the needs and interests of a major segment of that society–and a major base of support for the Democratic party: Black people. Add to this the fact that the President already has a history of advocating and signing legislation specifically targeting other subgroups, (repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, tax incentivizes for businesses hiring returning veterans and signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act) and there no longer remains any reason to absolve the President or the Democratic Party from tailoring policy and legislation to address our community’s interests and needs.
The fact that many in the Black community dismiss (outright) the notion of holding the Democratic Party accountable to our interests while other groups consistently have their interests met is reminiscent of the words of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who wrote:
“If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself…you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.â€
Ninety-six percent of Blacks who voted in the 2008 Presidential election voted for President Obama. While support for Obama has dwindled among the Whites, women, younger voters and liberals who previously supported him, his support in the Black community has not waivered. What is unmistakable is that without the support of the Black community there is no President Obama and there is no Democratic Party.
That support should not come cheap and it should not be a foregone conclusion.
Lesson 3
The lesson of the 360 deal encompasses the lessons of both LeBron and our unreciprocated political support. Just as the music industry feeds off the entire actions, works and efforts of an artist, political parties, as well as businesses outside of our community, have consistently fed off our actions (our votes), our works (our productivity) and our efforts (our spending). This results in the vast majority of the Black community’s 360-degree sphere of activity parlaying off for the betterment of other communities but to the detriment of ours.
Fueled by these lessons from the realms of sports, politics and the music industry, it is my hope that 2012 witnesses a monumental shift in the affairs and the condition of the Black community. With respect to our politics and our finances, we possess both the leverage and the dollars to bring about this change. It is my sincerest hope that, in implementing my proposed resolutions, we can regain what we so long ago lost–our sense of culture, our sense of community and our sense of self.
As I reflect on the profound possibilities within our grasp I’m reminded of two of the greats from our past. In 2012 let us always remember the words of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey who said, “Up! You mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.” And in 2012 let us also be reminded of the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who told us simply to, “Do for self.”
In short, let us make 2012 the year of group loyalty, group independence and group cooperation.