Blackonomics

On August 20, 2005, Black folks from across the country will convene on Detroit, Michigan but, more importantly, Detroiters themselves will converge in Cobo Hall to make a bold, action-oriented commitment regarding their economic and political empowerment. The Motor City, 85 percent Black, is at the forefront of what will be a national initiative to develop and sustain Black business enclaves wherever sizeable groups of Black people reside in this country. The reality is that when the Black business district comes to fruition in Detroit, other cities will follow its lead by planning, promoting, and developing similar enclaves.

You have probably heard by now about the proposal to build a Black business district in Detroit, which has created somewhat of a furor in that city among politicians and business persons. Despite Detroit’s overwhelming majority Black population, there is no African-American business district. Yet, there are several different ethnic business districts.

To think that some, including a few (B)lacks have called the plan to develop such a district “racist,” “separatist,” and “divisive,” simply defies logic and speaks to the desperate economic state of our people in general. Additionally, the resistance to an effort to showcase and economically empower the majority population of Detroit, let’s us know that unseen hands and higher forces are at work to keep Black folks in Detroit economically enslaved.

Why hasn’t anyone called Greek Town, Mexican Town, Polish Town, Korea Town, China Town, Hockey Town, and similar enclaves “racist” and “separatist”? I cannot believe that Blacks in Detroit will not move forward with establishing their own business district. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows it’s not racism that drives these districts; it’s economics.

What sense does it make for African-Americans to subscribe to the notion of “majority rule” and not utilize that principle when we are in the majority? Some Black folks in Detroit and elsewhere are still looking for “minority” set asides and Minority Business Enterprise programs despite being in the majority. As a matter of fact, in Cincinnati where I live, Blacks make up nearly 50 percent of the population. That, combined with the percentages comprised by Hispanics and Asians would create a majority for people of color. Yet ,these groups collectively allow the city to play fast and loose with public dollars, and they are subjected to “minority” rules in “minority” programs. How silly is that?

Detroit can set the example of what must be done to put Black people in this country back on the road to economic prosperity. Yes, I said “back” on the road. Whether you realize it or not, our relatives have been there and done that when it comes to economic empowerment, by building and sustaining economic enclaves across the country despite the horrendous treatment they suffered.

So, as I asked in a previous article, what are you going to do, Detroit? Are you going to lead, or will you continue to follow? Will you rightly assume your correct and deserved position at the head of the table, in the “power seat,” or will you continue to sit on the floor hoping a few crumbs will fall down for you to pick up? Will you correct the inappropriate behavior of the past, such as, settling for a minority economic position despite being the majority? Or, will you persist with the inappropriate behavior of denying who you are, being ashamed of your Black heritage, and the self-deprecating practice of working against your own best economic interests and those of your children?

Make the proper decision and come out August 20 to the “Black is Back” Powernomics Economic Summit. This will be a day of serious commitment to restore and rebuild an economic infrastructure for the majority of Detroit’s citizens. The speakers will include Claud Anderson, Bob Law, Rosie Milligan, Amefika Gueka, Kwame Kenyatta, Joann Watson, Barbara Rose Collins, Dorothy Tillman, and other conscious brothers and sisters that do much more than just talk about our economic problems.

The participants will rally at Cadillac Square at 9 A.M. and then march to Cobo Hall for the summit. Please spread the word about this initiative and encourage brothers and sisters from Toledo, Indianapolis, Chicago/Gary, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Ohio, and other cities in the area to come to Detroit to lend their support. The development of a Black business district in Detroit will have residual effects across this country by sending out a wave of encouragement, confidence, and pride, and by providing the model for future enclaves.

We must do this, folks. We have no other choice, and we have no other alternative to sinking even further into the abyss of economic despair and desperation. Can’t you see what is happening in this country? In this world? Black people are an afterthought, some little inconvenience that must be tolerated. More and more, we are treated with disdain, and the only worth our lives hold to many in this society is in a prison cell or in an army uniform.

While I pray that we will change, white and Black, I pray especially that Black people will change. Status quo is a prescription for failure. Haven’t you had enough failures? Aren’t you tired of being mistreated and exploited? If so, come to Detroit a week from Saturday and make your statement that “Black is Back,” and remember what Maggie Lena Walker said: “You can stand up and be counted, or you can lie down and be counted out.”

James E. Clingman, an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati's African American Studies department, is former editor of the Cincinnati Herald Newspaper and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce. He hosts the radio program, ''Blackonomics,'' and has written several books, including: Economic Empowerment or Economic Enslavement - We have a Choice; Blackonomics; and the recently published Black-o-Knowledge-Stuff . To book Clingman for a speech or purchase his s books, go to his Web site, www.blackonomics.com. He can be contacted by telephone at 513/ 489-4132.