Written in 1933, The Mis-Education of the Negro provided a platform of discussion in terms of the debilitating state of African-American education during the 20th century. The thesis’ author, Carter G. Woodson, relays information about the education system of his time and how that same system has propelled blacks to seek lower-level positions on the social-economic totem pole. Though, this thesis was written many decades ago, the black community is still suffering; I personally believe that many of the things affecting some black communities today can be remedied if more businesses were black owned and reinvested in their community. Now, those of you who have read The Mis-Education of the Negro know that the author discusses several factors
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Woodson, the first essential thing a people should do to become a civilization is to learn how to make a living (Woodson 38). I agree, in a nation that runs on capitalism, it is vital that active African-Americans become participants in such a society. From my observation, when immigrants come to this land, they begin businesses. Dr. Woodson was not lying when he wrote “Foreigners see this opportunity as soon as they reach our shores and begin to manufacture and sell to Negroes. “ (Woodson 48) What do you think of when I say Chinese businesses? Some of you may think of Chinese restaurants. What do you think of when I say Vietnamese businesses? Some of you may think of nail salons. What do you think of when I say Hispanic Businesses, some of you may think of the Hispanic markets or fast food carts. What if I said black businesses? The first thing that came to my mind is Black Wall-Street, one of the only prosperous African-American communities in the 20th century; that is pretty much the only thing that comes to mind, and that was decades ago. It’s my opinion that African-Americans are the only major ethnicity where they’re known as consumers and not the lenders; to buy from others but others to not come to the community to buy from them, why? We do not have a plethora of local black entrepreneurs.
Now, this isn’t a knock on black businesses because there are in existence. However, my opinion is that the difference between Black businesses and other minority …show more content…
No longer would the impoverished child have to rob a store to get money, or attend school simply for their lunch program; no longer would a father leave his pregnant significant other out of fear of economic disparity. If a community has their own businesses, and the businesses reinvest in their own community, then the majority of social-economic problems faced today would be diminished in my opinion. When businesses don’t develop in a community, the community has to look for other avenues that provide it sustenance. Sustenance can be found via crime or by moving to other areas and thus, diminishing the community already established. The most important thing I’ve learned from reading this book is that regardless of your education level, if a community does not have a financial foundation, it is not a participant in the capitalist world, but merely a spectator. Being a spectator, in my opinion, is the equivalent to being a dog underneath the table during Thanksgiving dinner; the dog doesn’t actively participates in the meal thus doesn’t eat, however is satisfied with the crumbs that are dropped on to the floor. When a group has to yearn for another for employment, it is the same as asking for scraps because as Dr. Carter G.
Woodson, the first essential thing a people should do to become a civilization is to learn how to make a living (Woodson 38). I agree, in a nation that runs on capitalism, it is vital that active African-Americans become participants in such a society. From my observation, when immigrants come to this land, they begin businesses. Dr. Woodson was not lying when he wrote “Foreigners see this opportunity as soon as they reach our shores and begin to manufacture and sell to Negroes. “ (Woodson 48) What do you think of when I say Chinese businesses? Some of you may think of Chinese restaurants. What do you think of when I say Vietnamese businesses? Some of you may think of nail salons. What do you think of when I say Hispanic Businesses, some of you may think of the Hispanic markets or fast food carts. What if I said black businesses? The first thing that came to my mind is Black Wall-Street, one of the only prosperous African-American communities in the 20th century; that is pretty much the only thing that comes to mind, and that was decades ago. It’s my opinion that African-Americans are the only major ethnicity where they’re known as consumers and not the lenders; to buy from others but others to not come to the community to buy from them, why? We do not have a plethora of local black entrepreneurs.
Now, this isn’t a knock on black businesses because there are in existence. However, my opinion is that the difference between Black businesses and other minority …show more content…
No longer would the impoverished child have to rob a store to get money, or attend school simply for their lunch program; no longer would a father leave his pregnant significant other out of fear of economic disparity. If a community has their own businesses, and the businesses reinvest in their own community, then the majority of social-economic problems faced today would be diminished in my opinion. When businesses don’t develop in a community, the community has to look for other avenues that provide it sustenance. Sustenance can be found via crime or by moving to other areas and thus, diminishing the community already established. The most important thing I’ve learned from reading this book is that regardless of your education level, if a community does not have a financial foundation, it is not a participant in the capitalist world, but merely a spectator. Being a spectator, in my opinion, is the equivalent to being a dog underneath the table during Thanksgiving dinner; the dog doesn’t actively participates in the meal thus doesn’t eat, however is satisfied with the crumbs that are dropped on to the floor. When a group has to yearn for another for employment, it is the same as asking for scraps because as Dr. Carter G.