Originally Published by:
C. Dwayne West / MG Media
“I just had a Black History Month lesson……. I was headed to lunch, a quiet and intimate moment to myself, when I saw a buddy who I asked to join me at Ruth Chris’ for a juicy steak.
This person quickly reminded me of how Ruth Chris’ has not treated black folks in the recent past with dignity. And they also stated that I was not gonna be seated because I had on a hoodie and sweats. It was a leisure day last Friday. I immediately changed my plans. Even though I had been thinking about this Ruth Chris’ filet mignon for nearly two weeks, given the fact that this place made headline news being disrespectful to my people, my desire to give them my money disappeared, instantly.
My cash! My choice! Upon recommendation, I did go somewhere else to get that steak. It felt good to exercise my power to control how I spend my loot. And with this being the start of Black History Month, it was even clearer how I wanted to distribute the wealth among as many black owned businesses as possible during the next 28 days. With that being said black folks, take a moment and consider spending 75% of your discressionary money with black businesses this month.
I was at a meeting with a white female business organization who’s in the process of contesting the mayor and his upcoming policy NOT to alter the WBE, MBE certification in March. Organized groups including Blacks, Asians and Latinos have also joined this fight to have the set-aside program numbers increased. FYI: The mayor’s office is refusing to accept the offer.
During this meeting last week, these white women, who are pissed about the mayor’s refusal, have been fighting for years to achieve their own progressive status. One (white) lady stated that the good old white boy network is alive and well. And they have no desire to include blacks or any other minority groups for that matter, into their exclusive club of wealth building, patronage and male whiteness.
Another (white) lady, actually, described this nonsense as a modern day lynching, in terms of how they insist on not allowing blacks to make any gains within their unspoken club of white men, only. They’ll pass new laws and adjust the goal post wherever there are forced changes to their trusted and racist policies. This statement also came from another white woman, who’s possibly the wife of one of these bigoted men.
Thinking about the Ruth Chris’ scenario and listening to these groups discuss the unequal way that minorities are treated within government, some unions and other municipalities, made me think about a few relevant things. Today, contributing to the horrific systematic racism is really like self-imposed lynching. Black folks are now providing some of the rope in cases like Ruth Chris’ or any other bigoted establishment that (we) continue to support that don’t include (us) in their equation. Or better yet, when we don’t support black owned establishments, we’re lynching (our own) people!
Anytime (we) continue to support a place like Ruth Chris’ and their black imposed policies to deter (us) from giving them (our) money, we tell them that we wanna be treated like modern day slaves. You don’t see or hear, for instance, Asians complaining about not being allowed into a white establishment. They have their own community of goods and services. Plus, realistically, how can (we) make Ruth Chris’ do anything? It’s owned by an individual or a group, who has the right to write policy in how they want to operate their restaurant. We don’t have to go!
This is different from city, state or federal government entities that commit bigoted actions against its taxpaying citizens. Our tax dollars should provide (us) with certain alienated rights: And that’s fair and equitable treatment and inclusion in progressive policies that advance the cause of its citizens, especially since (we) make up a reasonable percentage of the population in America.
Just think, how often do we hear whites complaining that they were mistreated by a black business? Never! Because they barely visit, and when they do, they follow whatever policy is presented by that black entity. And when whites decide that they don’t like a particular (all) Negro environment, they don’t show up. Check this one out: When have you heard whites complaining about the blackness of the BET Awards, or the Essence Festival or TV One’s popular black programming? Never! Why? Because they have their own systematic (white) programming. The Oscars, etc…….
That’s how places like Ruth Chris’ feel about their establishments. Therefore (we) should utilize our power and leverage to not support an establishment when they don’t provide visible equality. I was so glad my friend reminded of the power that I possess to stop me from committing a modern day, self-imposed lynching. Until the next edition….. Peace and One Love.
I write to differ
Executive Journalist
BK / BKORNOWAY Media and Entertainment
Checking my email earlier and clearing out my inbox I came across this inspiring article. Working with The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center directing their Public Affairs I’ve been introduced to heritage and history by Historian Mr. Harold Lucas. I’ve had the pleasure to understanding where we are today by taking a look at the past. How is it that our businesses owned by us in the African American Communities aren’t much successful in business? Reading Mr. West “Modern Day Lynching” he gave a great insight from his perspective. It’s where we choose to exercise our purchasing power. We often spend where we aren’t wanted or cared for. Look at majority of our high end designers who dislike us but we empower their brands. When will we stop looking for approval and step into creating our own system that will create equity and equality for ourselves?
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Peace and Power.
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