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Does nobody think there's a huge difference between saying, "We will only shop at white owned stores because we hate Blacks" versus "We will only shop at Black owned stores because we want to help build up our community"? I mean, can anyone not understand how the latter has no "racist" intentions? It is of course a race-conscious decision but that does not necessarily make it racist -- they don't feel Blacks or their businesses are superior to anyone else. It's simply an economic decision to support businesses that will help build up the community. I have no idea how you can lump this in with the general term "racism".
And it's silly to argue, "well, what if a white person said the same thing... we only want to build up the white community". That would be a red herring and an obvious mask at racist intent. I know of no white community whose entrepenurial class is dominated by non-whites but that is typical of Black neighborhoods.
Folks seem to make these judgments, not unsurprisingly, without historical context or consideration of the motivations of the individuals or groups involved.
For one group, in this case African Americans, to pursue an economic strategy to eliminate the economic disparity that cripples their community is one set of issues, for another group to promote the continued economic superiority of their group for the purpose of maintaining that economic superiority is quite another thing all together.
Of course economic exclusivity has been a time honored economic strategy for ever ethnic group that has found itself on the economic short end of the American economy, it is a well functioning tool of economic empowerment today, employed by Koreans, Cubans, and others. Yet, I never seem to read any criticism of the economic practices of these groups.
Strange that.
I made a similar post on the NJ forum, catto.....as usual you are quite perceptive and cut to the point. I also raise an eyebrow, Spock-like, when others on this forum get on black folks for not being more collective and collaborative, like the Jews and Koreans. We are lazy and too dependent on government when we don't band together as a community.
So should we band together as an economic community and be called racist, or should we not, and be called drags on society and welfare queens (kings, etc.)?
Why would it be racist?
For anyone. You can spend your money where you choose.
Or are you choosing to look for bias where none exists outside of your head?
Who is going to call anyone who shops anywhere racist, unless that's your big fear.
It's only racist if you are vocal about not shopping in a store because it's owned by blacks as your sole reason for not shopping there.
Otherwise, how would anyone know?
No one forces anyone to shop anywhere.
Geez, this is a non-issue.
I don't shop at any store that has an xian fish in the window.
I choose to shop at Trader Joes and local organic markets (when I live in the states).
I can spend my money where I want, as can you.
People in CA are not shopping at Prop 8 supporter stores.
I do think it might be a little difficult to shop at black owned stores only; again, choice.
Of course you have a right to shop wherever you choose, and yes, I call it racist. Again, if someone chooses to shop only at stores owned by white people, they would be considered racists. There is a difference between able to and being a racist.
Of course you have a right to shop wherever you choose, and yes, I call it racist. Again, if someone chooses to shop only at stores owned by white people, they would be considered racists. There is a difference between able to and being a racist.
Nita
The dynamics of economic choice available to blacks and whites is different, as is the dynamic of land ownership and wealth vis a vis the black and white community. Blacks often push for patronization of black businesses because there are so few of them. Most businesses in black communities are owned by whites; when blacks do become prosperous and work to build communities, the communities have often been destroyed by outsiders.
I think you guys are a little bit confused. There's a difference between what "society" calls racism and what we might think racism is. The actual idea of racism is subjective to the individual. In reality, what they are doing isn't considered racist by the vague standards that society imposes, but that's because they're black. As many other have said, if they were white, the case would be different. Ask one hundred different people, and you'll get one hundred different answers. Personal opinion and social norms can sometimes be two very different things.
Judging from the article, it appears that it is a double-edged sword...
RACISM:
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
Racism is defined as discrimination - see item 2 from Merriam Webster. From your other post you indicate that it would be racism if definition #1 was achieved but as we can by shopping at black only businesses, they are discriminating against business owners based on the color of their skin.
This is a fine line but in the end it is discrimination against someone based on the color of their skin and qualifies as racism.
Someday, maybe we will just be people. Probably not in my lifetime.
I don't get my hair cut at Tyrone's Barber Shop next door to my business. I don't think that makes me a racist by avoiding a black-owned barber shop. It just means i'm not a good candidate for corn-rows, and I fully acknowledge that.
Link? My wife is Asian and has never had a shop only at Asian Owned Stores policy; I've never heard of this from anyone amongst her family friends or community. To repeat: these people are choosing to patronize stores solely based on the skin color of the owners, and intentionally shunning stores owned by persons of a different skin color. Oh the irony.
Since when is you wife ALL Asian people? If she married interracially then obviously it would not relate to her.
Many Asians and Hispanics (new immigrants typically) patronize businesses within their own community. Is that racist or are they simply more comfortable dealing with businesses that understand their specific needs.
ETA: In order for many African American businesses to compete and grow, they need the consistent support of the African American community. Why is this a bad thing?
I am convinced that there will always be a damned if you do and damned if you don't attitude towrads Black Americans. The critism is based on the fear that African Americans can ban together to improve their own community utilizing the strength of their own dollar.
In the early 1900s, Madam CJ Walker became the first self made woman millionaire (of any race) in the US because of the power of the Black dollar. Why are sooo many people afraid of Black socioeconomic empowerment?
Last edited by calipoppy; 05-14-2009 at 01:09 PM..
I don't get my hair cut at Tyrone's Barber Shop next door to my business. I don't think that makes me a racist by avoiding a black-owned barber shop. It just means i'm not a good candidate for corn-rows, and I fully acknowledge that.
I don't see the problem here.
That's funny, because even if I wanted to get my hair cut by a white barber, chances would be that they would not be able to cut my hair.
BTW, you don't go to barbers to get cornrows done. You go to braiders.
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