Richard Allen put a lot of emphasis on thrift and economics for the financial security of black people. Are we continuing this legacy today. Does the average church member know the basic concepts of economics? And our we being good stewards of our money?

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Answers

Dear Rev. Rogers,

What an excellent question! I think that Richard Allen would be displeased with the economic state of African-Americans. There are 30 million African-Americans who bring home in excess of 500 billion dollars a year and spend over 400 billion dollars a year. We have more gross income than the gross domestic product of Australia with its 25 million people and almost as much as Canada with its 25 million people. Our income exceeds that of Nigeria with its 100 plus million people whose gross domestic product is 11 billion dollars plus and 95% of this is from its oil exports. BLACK PEOPLE IN THE US ARE THE TENTH LARGEST WORLD ECONOMY. It is frustrating to me that we lack wise leaders in the Black church to develop a long term strategy for solutions to many of our problems in the areas of unemployment, housing, health, education, crime, economic development, and etc. I am specifically pointing to the church because historically Black people have obtained all of their successes through the grassroot efforts of the church. We have investment professionals, corporate lawyers, businessmen, accountants, economists, banking professionals, and other financial professionals in the Black church and their vast storehouse of knowledge is untapped. Here in Richmond, Va some of the churches would rather sell dinners and pies to raise money for the " building fund" rather than invest what we have wisely. If our leaders had a strategy, they could recoup some of that 500 billion dollars back to the Black community. We have a historical Black community known as Jackson Ward which was a thriving economic community in the early 1900's. It was the home of Maggie Walker, the first woman banker in the US and founder of Consolidated Savings an Loan which still has branches in Richmond and in Tidewater, Va. This community is now struggling to survive. The leaders of the church are waiting for the government to come to their rescue. If each of the thousands of Black churches in Richmond made a committment to buy a house in Jackson Ward and renovate it and establish a business like a bakery or an eatery to "sell dinners", the problem would be solved. However, no such plan of this nature exists. Instead, our Black churches in Richmond are building multimillion dollar cathedrals when the existing building is quite sufficient. If Richard Allen were here, I believe that he would demand that a plan be established. He would probably also demand a periodic progress report on the solution to the problem and of those leaders responsible for the solution. Richard Allen was much more wiser than many of our leaders today.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Jazzman, great point. Could the difficulties of saving and planning be residual psychological effects from slavery? The slave had no future and existed from day to day. Therefore, when Black people get a little money, we enjoy it to fullest---and right away.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Oh yeah, blame it on slavery. More later.

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Let's stop blaming slavery for everything! The only slavery we have now is the captivity of our own minds. All too often we believe somebody is preventing us from doing something. Allen, Walker and others are examples of doing for themselves during slavery. We just need to act by faith and let God show us what to do and do it! Our communities are in total ruin and we just need to get work! Plenty of work for everyone. If we spend time rebuilding our communities we will have less time working on each other! That's were most of our energy goes! Use what you have in your hand. These are the times for God's people to do what it is suppose to do. Mohammed Ali said, the ghetto is in the mind of the people...put a rich person in a poor community the community will rise up, put a poor person in a rich community, it will fall! Wake up, we are the daughters and sons of the King of Kings, the Most high King, and he does not produce poverty! AMEN

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

With all due respect, Rev. Paris, you decry every person that raises the issue of slavery and its residual affects, and the generational curse that it has placed upon Black folks. However, you never offer a realistic solution to moving beyond it. You, and other conservatives, say we should just get over it. That's realy easy to do when you're solidly middle class. It would be very easy for me to get over it as well. My boat was lifted when the tide rose. But how do you account for the millions of Black Americans whose boats have holes, or who have no boats, and have never known how to reach a level of self-sufficiency so that they may prosper?

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution did a story of a young girl from an extremely depressed community in rural Georgia. This young girl was able to beat the odds and work her way out of the dead-end situation that she faced. But for every one of her, there were 10 others that remained stuck. And this community was a former share cropping community. The girl, if I remember correctly, had been born and raised in a slave cabin. And this story was reported in 1999!! And I see so much more like this through my work with the Urban League.

I don't doubt, Rev. Paris, that your intentions are noble in suggesting that Black America get rid of that "slavery" crutch. But the simplistic, off-hand manner in which most Black conservatives make that statement is insulting at best. I equate it with asking a Jewish person to forget the Holocaust.

Back to the original question, I don't believe the average church member knows the basic concepts of economics. I think we could all stand to be better stewards of our money. There is always a more excellent way.

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Dear Brenda,

You made an excellent observation about the residual effects of America's slave culture on our attitude towards slavery. However, I don't expect the vast majority of us Black people to be financially wise a bit more than I expect the vast majority of the other races in this country to be so. However, I agree with Dr. W.E.B. Dubois that there should emerge a "talented tenth" amongst our community to show us the way. If another Negro does not know where to spend his money then all I am asking is that our leaders of the Black church committ to an economic strategy that will make it highly probable that he will be buying his food, clothes, and other items from a Black store or renting from another Black person. You know Brenda here in Richmond, Va., Black people receive more financial support when they are in need from white churches than they do from their own churches. The Salvation Army, the Catholic Church, and other denominations have an economic plan which allows them to provide emergency shelter, food, emergency fuel assistance, drug rehabilitation, schools, orphanages, and other services to those in need. I agree with you Bro. Richardson that there is a more excellent way. I also believe that if the leadership in all of the Black protestant denominations would pray about a plan that God would bless our efforts. I thank God for Black women like Maggie Walker who started The Consolidated Savings and Loan Bank in the 1900's and I feel a sense of pride when I pass by its branches here in Richmond, Va. and in Tidewater Va. Lord please send us more Richard Allens and Maggie Walkers.

JazzMan

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Why was George Washington Carver, born a slave, able to become a renowned scientest? Why was Booker T. Washington, born in slavery, able to found Tuskegee Institute? Why were our forefather and mothers able to found colleges just three years out of Slavery? Read your black history and see what the released slaves were able to accomplish. Why did the ravages of slavery not keep Richard Allen from founding the AME Church? Why was Benjiman Banekar able to be the architect that laid out Washington DC? How about the inventor of the cotton gin? WE have a rich history of accomplishments that our people after being released from slavery was able to accomplish, yet this generation, who have never been enslaved, indeed don't have the foggiest notion of what slavery is, continually use that excuse. Get over it and get with it! That is just an excuse. If you gave them everything they would still be begging the "white" man to apologize for slavery and accomplishing nothing. Why was B. O. Davis, Senior able to become a B. General in the army, one generation removed from slavery? And why was his son elevated to 3- star General Lt General 2 generations removed? Why was Chappie James able to become a 4-star General, Commander in Chief of NORAD coming from a family of 18 children and poor? Why is Colin Powell 2 heartbeats away from the presidency with his slave ancesatry? Why is Condeleza Rice Security Advisor to the President with her slave ancestry? Why did Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas with their slave ancestry reach the Supreme Court of the US? Why are the countless black men and women able to become astronauts and flyt in outer space with theior slave background? What about Tiger Woods, Calvin Peete, the NBA, the NFL, in every profession we have been able to excel and yet, all I hear is that our slave ancestry is the only thing holding us back. That's garbage.

Explain all the historically black colleges that were founded by slaves or sons and daughters of slaves? Every black institution today was founded by sons/daughters of slaves and some of you are crying about slavery. Where is your black studies? If you knew your history, you would agree with me and use your slave beginnings as a springboad to greatness. But selfish and lazy folk will never amount to a hill of beans.

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Oh and I forgot about the Tuskegee Airman who fought so gallantly in WWII in spite of racism and their slave backgrounds. The first female licensed pilot was a black woman from Texas. MLK, SCLC, NAACP, these organizations cannot be organized by descendants of slaves! Black History for you must end with Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton, the first black president.

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Dear Rev. Paris,

All of those examples of African-Americans you mentioned were exceptional people. God endowed them with extraordinary talents and he also blessed their efforts. Statistically in any population, most people are not extraordinary. Most of us are average if we believe that abilities are normally distributed. I believe more strongly now that the average Black person in America is at a severe disadvantage because of America's institutional racism. In DESTRUCTION OF BLACK CIVILIZATION 4500BC to 2000AD by Chancellor Williams, he stated that America has never leveled the playing field for Blacks and it never intends to level the playing field for us. There are many Black Republicans like yourself such as Armstrong Williams and Dr. Walter Williams who believe that if we work hard that we can advance without being held back by racism. I agree that we must work hard. I find it very educational to hear the Black Republican view even though I disagree with many of the basic beliefs. It was amusing to me that you said that Mr. Colin Powell is two heart beats away from the Presidency. Do you think that the Republican party is genuinely committed to racial equality? If Colin Powell was a white man, he would have been the President of the US. I believe that you wll see that in the event that the Vice-President becomes unable to carry out the duties of his office that even though the XXV amendment allows the President to nominate another individual to the office that this President will not nominate Mr. Colin Powell to the office. He will not be nominated even though he is more than qualified simply because he is Black. I would also add that Condoleeza Rice probably made better grades than a C average during her school years because if she had not she would not have been able to be National Security Advisor. The President proudly told graduates at his alma mater(Yale) that for the C-students you too can be President of the United States. How dare this man speak against affirmative action. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the residual effects of slavery and the existing racism against African-Americans in this country. I know that it exists against us and so now I want the wise leaders in the Black church to formulate a long term economic strategy to protect us from the ravages of racism. A grassroots plan which begins on the local church level that would encourage churches to buy properties in the low income communities and develop them would be a great start. A plan that would also encourage the local Black churches to start small convenience stores, laundromats, car washes, retail stores would be another basic start. I know that if a congregation of 200 plus people started a store that at a minimum, the store would have a stable customer base of 200 plus people. When I was in Athens, Ga, there was an AME church there that owned an apartment building named Bethel Homes. It was a source of pride to me that near the University of Georgia that a Black church owned a decent apartment building. It will also be a source of pride to the children that grow up in that church that business is a part of their culture. It will hopefully allow the church to expand its ministry.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Again, Rev. Paris, those are wonderful examples. I am well versed in Black history. People that don't have access to the internet to read your tomes aren't privy to those examples. People that must concern themselves with earning a living wage have to weigh the value of reading history versus practicing taking apart a carburator and putting it back together so that they can get that automechanic job, and keep it, so that they can provide for their families. And they don't have time to seek out folks that will dispel the growing myth about how much more the white man has held the Black man down than has the Black man held himself down.

I'll ask you again. How do you propose to bring those folks out of darkness and into light? "Get over it and get with it!!" is tantamount to attracting flies with vinegar. There needs to be a visible and irrefutable thread that connects the accomplishments of those few that you mentioned to the masses that have yet to achieve, but simply don't know how. For the longest time, I thought like you, Rev. Paris, until I came to understand that not only do we have not because we ask not, but in most cases, we don't even know what to ask for.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

One other thing, Rev. Paris. Not every HBCU was founded by the sons and daughters of former slaves. A good many of them were founded by white missionaries, and others by white legislators who were bound by the land grant acts of the late 1800's. The sons and daughters of former slaves, as the benefactors of these institutions, played significant roles in the establishment and administration of these institutions, but, for example, Howard University did not have a Black president until it had been in existence for quite some time.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Some answers: "All those examples were

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Here is the solution: 1) Stop telling your children that they are inferior, stop telling yourself that you are not able to achieve, stop telling your friends that you are inferior. Instead believe God: [I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.] 2) Don't allow others to tell you that you cannot achieve; that you need extra help because of slavery.etc. [You need affrimative Action, etc.] 3)Turn off the TV set for yourself and your children. Cut the cable on BET and any program that protrays black folk as foolish, silly, promiscuous, loose, lazy, or in any way negative. The only "black" program I allow my kids to watch or watch myself is Bill Cosby reruns. 4)STAY IN SCHOOL - Make your Kids STAY IN SCHOOL. Go to your school and make sure what is being taught. Join the PTA. Visit your child's school at least twice per month. 5) READ YOURSELF and TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO READ. Don't believe the hype! Read for yourself! Don't just read black, read everything, the classics. 6) SURE-FIRE ECONOMICS PLAN: God First, You Second. Tithe to your CHURCH, save a TITHE for your future (If you read, you will know how to invest this.). Do what you will with the remainder. Believe God: He says that if you do this He will pour you out a blessings you will not be able to store. AVOID folk who are trying to seperate you from your money. The signs to watch out for: "Something for nothing; you can become a millionaire without working, little investment big return, etc." These are scams to take your money. If it is so easy, why does he/she need your money? If it is so easy why are you giving it away? 7) DON'T SETTLE FOR SECOND CLASS --In everything you do, go for first. Tiger Woods is always trying to WIN. 8) DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOSE -- Hold your head up and get back in the game. 9) DON'T LISTEN TO NEGATIVE PEOPLE -- Surround yourself with positive people! Attitude is everything. If you believe you can, you can. If you think you can't, then you can't. 10) DON'T ALLOW OTHERS TO DEFINE YOU - You are NOT: a minority, african-american, black, coloured, Negro, African, etc. YOU ARE GOD's Child. Created in His image. Is GOD (see list above)? You are NOT defined by others; define yourself. 11) BELIEVE IN GOD It is unbelief that allows anyone to think negative. 12) MAKE YOUR CHILDREN STUDY, STUDY, STUDY -- Your child will live up or down to your expectations. YOU will live up or down to your expectations. Deman excellence from yourself and your children. 13) DON'T INVEST IN LOSERS - Don't waste your time, effort, and money on people who refuse to help themselves. 14) BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS - Check your value system. 15) Start with the babies and teach them the ways of God, respect for themselves, respect for others, and respect for the environment. 16) DON'T LIMIT YOUR ROLE MODELS - Your role models don't have to be black. When you talk to your children (and to yourself) be positive.

There's more but not here. I will continue writing and give you a web site to visit. By the Way, I was a Sharecropper. I'm still a ShareCropper but I now share with God. (smiles)

How to get over it: READ, READ, READ.

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Dear Rev. Paris,

I agree with all of the 16 suggestions that you made in capital letters. I do take issue with some of the comments that you made about these suggestions. For the most part, your advice is very sound. However, these suggestions are and have been implemented by a large percentage of African-Americans for decades. I wish that more of us thought like you on how to improve our social status. Although, I am an idealist, my idealism has been tempered by realism in the last few years. As a realist, I know that the average Black person who lives in a low income area struggling to survive is not going to be receptive to your ideas. When you are struggling to make ends meet, the struggle dominates your thoughts. On the other hand, an above average Black person born into the low income neighborhood will focus on a higher goal and ignore his negative surroundings and negative comments because God has blessed him with that type of personality. This was one of the reason that William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army said that we will feed and house the needy first, then we will preach the message of salvation to them. He knew that people would not be receptive to the gospel if they were cold and hungry. Although your suggestions are very strong, I am frankly too inpatient to wait for a significant number of us to implement them. My plan invites you and other high ranking officials in the local church to call a meeting immediately and decide right now that you are going to purchase a property in a low income Black neighborhood and develop it now. My plan pleads with the local Black churches to start a business in their community right now and support it. If my church had a small convenience store, I would make sure that I stopped by there to buy something once a week. Why should I be sending my portion of the 500 billion plus dollars a year that we Black folk bring home to Wal-Mart when I could be funneling some of those dollars to a business owned by a Black Church? My plan could be implemented before 2001 is complete. Just imagine all of the Black churches in a city agreeing to buy and renovate a house in a low income neighborhood. The residents of these neighborhoods would have their spirits lifted and quite probably be inspired to pursue other avenues of self-improvement. We Black people can do it but we need wise leaders to show us the way.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Yes, I agree that some are lost in the struggle. I just don't want to lose the others by using all my resources on those who are not receptive to the plan.

The Government Projects that created low income ghettos is probably the worst thing that has happened to black familiies in the past 60 years. In Dallas, the city has begun to construct public housing scattered through out the city and it is helping. My wife and I had a small home in a quiet neighborhood. We rented it to a single mother on the Section 8 Gov. Plan. At first she hated the neighborhood and would rush back to her mother in the ghetto every weekend. As time went by, she began to appreciate the neighborhood and the schools as she saw her children becoming good students and on the honor rolls. To make a long story short, she got ajob and went to school and after 5 years she no longer qualified or wanted Section 8 housing. Her children are in college, she's married, bought her own home and is doing fine. She credits her success to being forced out of the ghetto and away from negative people.

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001