Finance Friday 10.30
Learn about finance and add your business to our For Us Directory!
“We have a tendency of trying to network up, but it’s really about networking across.” -@IssaRae
“As a fact, the capitalist of today was the labourer or worker of yesterday…. Hence, the man who wants to go into business commercially, industrially or agriculturally, and win a fortune for himself, cannot and should not be a Communist, because Communism robs the individual of his personal initiative and ambition or the results thereof. Democracy (interchangeable with capitalism), therefore, is the kind of government that offers the individual the opportunity to rise from a labourer to the status of a capitalist or employer.” -Marcus Garvey”
Finance Friday
One of the issues that we have within our community is making money with our community. But take a breath and relax, because it is definitely easier than we believe.
We here at the For Us Nation want to assist in creating, and promoting investment opportunities, grant opportunities, and financial tips so that we can grow together. The key is ownership and the lock is financial literacy.
So lets start by uplifting some community members that are leading by example and creating opportunities.
Check out The Freedom Georgia Initiative. This group consists of 19 Black families who have purchased 97 acres of land in Georgia in an effort to build a safe Black-owned community. Freedom Georgia hopes to be an innovative model for self-sufficiency, environmental sustainability, and cooperative economics among BIPOC communities across the African Diaspora globally.
Lets support our Business Community
Investment Clubs
Typically consists of 10–20 people, most often comprised of family members, friends and or people from all walks of life who meet regularly to learn investment principles, portfolios ( a combination of stocks , bonds and investment properties.
Principles
-Invest a set sum once a month in common stocks regardless of general market conditions. This helps obtain lower average costs.
-Reinvest dividends and capital gains immediately. Your money gains faster if earnings are reinvested. This is the 8th natural wonder in effect (compound income).
-Buy growth stocks. These are companies whose sales are increasing at a rate faster than industry in general. The companies should have good prospects for growth. In other words, they should be stronger companies 5 years from now.
-Investment in different fields. Diversification helps spread risk and opportunity.
Despite the fact that investment club members may be considered non-professional among money managers, the overall performance of the stocks that they select for investment is remarkable as noted by Black Enterprise magazine. They aim growth and regular investing.
Investment Clubs can be engaged in entrepreneurial ventures. Though traditionally conservative Investment Clubs, particularly African American clubs may cautiously invest in fledging Black-owned corporations are well established Black-owned corporations seeking public financing. Through investing in Black-owned companies African American and Pan African Investors may help to initiate and sustain the growth and development of African American and Pan African enterprises as well as earn acceptable returns on their investments.
Through an investment committee or an asset management organization large Black organizations may form an investment consortium as a way of investing a relatively large sum of money regularly and earning sizeable ventures to be reinvested or invested in part in economic development projects. There now exist enough persons and corporations in the African American and Pan African community with the means and wealth for founding mutual funds initially worth at least $100–200 million.
Whether as small intimate clubs of investors or large formal clubs Pan African community as investors are crucial to the economic development and polito-economic empowerment of the Pan African community as a whole. Deep knowledge of how the markets works, the development of a keen ability to invest in and use it , are not only vital for long-term personal or small group gain but crucial to the expansion of the Black-owned business establishment into the broader and international market place.
Grants
Finding funding within your community may still be an issue, even after beginning an investment club. Business grants are always a great option as well. Below are some resources for small and minority businesses.
CARES Act: Coronavirus relief and SBA loans for small businesses.
Please visit African American grants and NerdWallet to see the full list of small-business loans for minorities.
Grants.gov allows grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. It contains information on more than 1,000 grant programs across all 26 federal grant-making agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
USDA grant for the development or expansion of small businesses in rural areas — minority-owned or not. To qualify, you’ll need to have 50 or fewer employees, less than $1 million in revenue and be located in an eligible rural area. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $500,000, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including training and technical assistance, acquisition or development of land and long-term business planning. Applications are accepted through the USDA’s Rural Development’s state offices once per year.
Nonprofit trade association provides educational resources and grants for small businesses and entrepreneurs. To apply for a grant of up to $4,000, you’ll need to become an active member of the association, provide a detailed explanation of how you’ll use the funds, show how the grant will support your business growth, and provide supporting documentation.
The Minority Business Development Agency. This development agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce promotes the growth of minority-run small businesses by connecting owners to financing resources, federal contracts and market opportunities. You can contact a local MBDA business center for more information.
The Amber Grant for Women was created to help minority women achieve their dreams to start an entrepreneurship. This was an initiative by the government in which every month a winner is selected and given $500. At the end of the year, one of the twelve monthly winners will be given $1000. These enhanced grants for minority women enabled them to get their lucky angels in the form of investors and mentors. The lucky part is that you don’t need any form of capital. The application only demands an introduction of the idea you have in your mind.
The Halstead Grant is especially for the women who are in love with the jewelry and have plans to start a business in the same field. The grants awarded by this program are in large numbers. Every year a winner who is selected will be receiving $7500 and another $1000 in supplies. The program also offers other perks for these minority women. The finalists will be receiving $250 for the top ten placements and $500 for the top-five placements.
The New Voice Fund is a funding program established by the SheaMoisture haircare and skincare products founder Richelieu Dennis which is worth about $100 million. The fund is geared for women entrepreneurs of color at the annual Essence Festival.
The funding was established to help bridge the gap of female entrepreneurs and create opportunities for minority women who may be interested in learning more significant changes the world of women business funding is going, particularly in the wake of the challenges that minorities face when it comes to anding an idea getting approved for funding.
Again please visit the NerdWallet and African American Grants website for the more extensive list. Also, please continue to check our newsletters every Friday for more resources on grants.
Visit PointedSpaces.com
For Us:Business Highlight
For Us wants to bring light to our members and make sure that we assist our Nation in networking across in order to build up.
We would like to uplift Open Market by PointedSpaces!
PointedSpaces.Com
Email: PointedSpaces@gmail.com
Follow: @PointedSpaces and use #letscreatemagic
Register for their Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday Live Virtual Market.
Open Market is the epicenter of creativity, community, innovation, and social impact.
"We are a LIVE curated marketplace that cultivates conscious consumerism. We create opportunities for BIPOC businesses to showcase their products and services, including but not limited to beauty, wellness, fashion, business, and life coaching, consulting, and lifestyle remedies."
"Our driving mission is to curate spaces for underrepresented people that encourage and inspire financial equity, wellness, and creative expression."
If you are in the NYC area come to our Creative Kickback Meet Up 10/31
Church on Sunday 10.25.2020
Church on Sunday via StationHead!
Tune in Every Sunday at 12pm EST!
Subscribe to our Spotify Channel to find the playlist we create for our Broadcast.
Hey everyone this is Tahyira and Perky from the For Us Nation and this is The Official Newsletter for:
Church on Sunday
October 25th
This newsletter is released alongside the Church on Sunday broadcast that includes more information and links to relevant resources of information referenced.
Please visit our website ForUsNation.Com and join our mailing list to keep up with everything that we are planning and creating for you!
Another reason to visit the website is if you're a business person, because if you have a business we would like to uplift you and your business.
Submit your business to the For Us Directory
We have also built a podcast: On the Ground Level listen to episode 1 here.
Keep an eye out for updates on our IG and Twitter @ForUs4Us
We are also having our For Us Nation takeover our IG page for self promotion and visibility. See more details below.
Shoutout to StationHead
This week’s spotify playlist is in honor of the Scorpio’s of the world and the political songs that we have had throughout time.
Follow both Tahyira and Perky on StationHead @PerkyPerspectives @TahyiraSavanna
Welcome to October 25th, 2020 for Today’s Sunday Service. We are speaking about the state of the country (USA), which with the publicity that the United States is receiving it very well feels like a worldwide conflict. When we look at it there is a lot on the stack. We have COVID19 gearing up for a strong second wave, economic disasters, natural disasters, and much much more. So many of us are rushing to the mailbox to go vote, drive through, in person, or if you’re paranoid about your vote being received then you’re rushing to the post office.
No You’re Gonna Lose…No You Are!
Taking a quick glance at the polls on CNN we see Joe Biden at a lead of 52% to Donald Trump’s 42%.
Angela Rye and Snoop Dogg
Angela Rye interviewed Snoop Dogg via Instagram Live and spoke about voting with the hip hop mogul. Snoop Dogg was voting for the first time, and through research realized that he could vote despite having a criminal record in California. Snoop Dogg stated that he would be voting at the Inglewood Forum and also made a mention to Maxine Waters who is also up for re-election for US House Rep for California. Maxine Waters has served in the U.S. House since 1990. Read up on some more of Maxine Waters here.
Black Actors have also been involved in the elections through live table reads. Recently Gabrielle Union hosted a “Zoom Where it Happens” table read for a Friends all black cast to uplift the whenweallvote.org campaign
Following up on the Ice Cube involvement within this 2020 election it seems that Ice Cube is starting to become affected by the backlash from his conversation with the Trump campaign. Just to recap, Ice Cube made a “Contract with Black America” back in March 2020, and called out both Biden and Trump for their lack of “real work” to assist the Black community. Through this call to action he received calls from both the Biden and Trump campaign, and according to Ice Cube only the Trump Campaign spoke of immediate action. Through Ice Cube’s personal plan for Black people he was able to give points to the Trump Platinum Plan, yet the Black Community (or at least Black Twitter) has disagreed with Ice Cube speaking with Trump.
Ice Cube recently went on Hot 97 and spoke about his decision to work with Trump and also his work with Diddy’s “Our Black Party. For more information about the party visit Our Black Party.
Ice Cube spoke about helping to pass the AB3121 assembly bill to begin research for reparations for Black People, and the campaign’s and the economic justice actions that Ice Cube was working on to fight for equality. Ice Cube states that his and his team’s heavy push for justice attracted both campaigns, and that is how he led to do work with Trump.
VOTE
Thoughts for people who believe voting doesn’t matter.
We both understand that there are many levels of politics and how they play into our everyday life. When it comes to loans, business opportunities, real estate, and much more. Some of the fear that has been upheld within the Black Community is that our vote doesn’t matter. But what is the truth, and what has been the problem up until today. Find out what matches your interest, because maybe you dont agree with the Republicans or Democrats, and possibly identify more with Independent Party beliefs. Take a free course online to enhance your knowledge and understanding of politics if needed.
TREMG has also created events and articles to promote voting, especially with Black Men.
Despite your personal beliefs regarding voting, it is your right, and your life will be affected by this campaign. So please go vote, and seek information and clarity if needed. Here is a resource for voting to get you started via vote.org.
IG TAKEOVER
ShowCase your business, talent, and/or cause. We would like to offer our ForUs4Us Instagram to our network so please contact us to get started.
First Takeover held by Tahyira Savanna!
Date TBA!
Follow us @ForUs4Us
For US Nation Book Club
Join our book club, held virtually through the ForUsNation.Com website.
We will provide links to the books chosen, and also (if wanted) we will provide an audio version read by a For Us Nation member.
Support Black Literature, and help protect the education for our people.
Below are some examples of books that we wish to read with you!
On The Ground Level Podcast
Episode 1 is out! Subscribe to our Podcast
Hey everyone this is Tahyira and Perky from the For Us Nation and this is The Official Newsletter for the:
On The Ground Level
Premiered October 22, 2020
Welcome to the For Us Podcast. Created by Tahyira and Ashley (Perky).
This podcast was created through our For Us organization which aims to uplift our movements and bring access to our communities regarding Education, ownership, business opportunities, and more.
We are coming from places of action. We have no more time to waste. We are:
F E A R L E S S L Y
O R G A N I Z E D
R E V O L U T I O N A I R I E S
Below is just for the first episode.
Why We founded For Us:
For Us 4 Us is a platform to bring together like-minded millennial marginalized folks. We are pushing back at cultural appropriation and bringing access to our people.
For Us was established to be that voice in the crowd, to get you that seat at the table, join us as we grow our community of marginalized voices everywhere.
Fearlessly Organized Revolutionaries of the United States is a new social class system that works on creating safe spaces for millennial souls who have done everything right, and still got everything wrong.
We will bring tools into our communities to help engage our youths, courses to help grow our businesses, classes and events that promote mental health wellness and positive thinking, as well as advocate policy changes regarding Sustainability, Criminal Justice Reform, Equity, and Women’s Rights.
Share the Podcast
On the Ground Level Platforms
Please subscribe to our Podcast, which is available on our various platforms.
Pinecast TREMG AudioMack
Follow, Like, and Subscribe to our Pinterest, & follow our Instagram.
Want to be a Guest?
Be a Guest for the
On the Ground Level Podcast
We would love to share the your story, campaigns, businesses, and more through our podcast.
The On the Ground Podcast
was created to highlight activism and uplift the resiliency and revolutionaries of our time. We reference history, research stories, and experts. So please bring your unique stories and information...
Contact Us Today!
Am I Going Mental?
Please don’t let this be a photo from 2021!!
As we move into the final quarter of 2020, it is still hard to believe that this is our new reality. From Covid19, California Fires, the multitude of family/friends/celebrity/politian deaths, and feeling like every day we are on the brink of an apocalypse its hard to believe that we still have 3 more months to go. If you are anything like us, then we are sure you feel like you’re going mental.
But do not feel alone!!! We know there are many reasons to feel stressed in today’s world, especially if you have been following the news, but please do not feel alone. We acknowledge that Trump is on a maniacal crusade to take over the world.
Your President Donald Trump
Alongside that it seems that some of us would like for the world to be overtaken by the COVID19 virus, because everytime we catch the news we hear of another house party, or huge gathering that led to several people testing positive.
STRESSED!!!!
We know its a stressful time, trust we are right there with you, so we want to help you practice self-care. We have created several outlets that we would love for you to take advantage of, and also let us know what you have going on that can assist the For Us community and staying sane.
Please check us out every Sunday, where we discuss the events from the week prior and any resources to assist the community.
We are here to help bring sanity!
Also, Please contact us about doing an IG Takeover on our @Forus4Us Instagram Page!
Take care of yourself! And we will see you Sunday!
Church on Sunday 10.18.2020
Church on Sunday via StationHead!
Tune in Every Sunday at 12pm EST!
Subscribe to our Spotify Channel to find the playlist we create for our Broadcast.
Hey everyone this is Tahyira and Perky from the For Us Nation and this is The Official Newsletter for:
Church on Sunday
October 18th
This newsletter is released alongside the Church on Sunday broadcast that includes more information and links to relevant resources of information referenced.
Please visit our website ForUsNation.Com and join our mailing list to keep up with everything that we are planning and creating for you!
Another reason to visit the website is if you're a business person, because if you have a business we would like to uplift you and your business.
We are also building a podcast: On the Ground Level
Keep an eye out for updates on our IG and Twitter @ForUs4Us
We are also having our For Us Nation takeover our IG page for self promotion and visibility. See more details below.
An Ironic Fact about October 18th
October 18, 1767 - The Mason-Dixon line was agreed upon. Once the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania the Mason-Dixon line has also been known to reference the border between the free states and the slave states.
A source records that “the Mason–Dixon line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the North and the South (Dixie). However, for many people who identify as Southern, Maryland is not considered a Southern state, leading to confusion over terminology.
Originally "Mason and Dixon's Line" referred to the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland. After Pennsylvania abolished slavery, it served as a demarcation line for the legality of slavery. That demarcation did not extend beyond Pennsylvania because Delaware, then a slave state extended north and east of the boundary.
Also lying north and east of the boundary was New Jersey, where slavery was formally abolished in 1846, but former slaves continued to be "apprenticed" to their masters until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865.”
The irony of the connection between this day and our topic today is that we wish to speak about Trump and Ice Cube’s Platinum plan. And the plan that Trump and Ice Cube have created has caused more division amongst an already divided country Some of the highlights that came from the pair’s conversations include a push for Trump to invest $500 Billion into the Black community as promised in the Platinum Plan, and to label the Ku Klux Klan as a terrorist group.
Ice Cube has tweeted statements that have left some side-eying him and others nodding in agreement.
@icecube via Twitter
"Family, make sure some of these educated fools who are always telling you what to do are really Black and not Greeks in disguise"
In regards to the criticism, Ice Cube has defended himself several times stating that he is not MAGA, and upholds his prior statement regarding the political parties in saying “I really dont see them pushing their policies in any particular direction”. Ice Cube has since made statements through twitter and has even gone on CNN to speak on the Platinum Plan. Ice Cube responds to those that disagree by stating “Every side is the Darkside for us here in America,” he tweeted in response. “Our justice is bipartisan.”
Please find the link to Ice Cubes interview on CNN and the Platinum Plan.
Our Black Party
In other news P. Diddy, aka Puff Daddy, aka Brotherly Love, aka DIddy has decided to start his own political party called Our Black Party. Diddy spoke with Charlamagne tha God on RevolTv. Diddy also gave an endorsement to Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate senator Kamala Harris, but not before stating that “The President needs to be banished”. Check out Our Black Party.
Excerpt from Our Black Party welcome letter:
Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny.”
– Huey Newton, 1969
We envision a world where Black America has the power to determine our future. The mobilization of all Black people is key, and it is imperative that we strengthen our purpose by working together as a collective. If we dare to make an impact, then we must pick up where the civil rights movement left off. We can begin to fulfill the wants and needs of the Black community if we unify. But we begin this work now
What are your thoughts on Diddy's Political Party!
IG TAKEOVER
ShowCase your business, talent, and/or cause. We would like to offer our ForUs4Us Instagram to our network so please contact us to get started.
First Takeover held by Tahyira Savanna!
Date TBA!
Follow us @ForUs4Us
For US Nation Book Club
Join our book club, held virtually through the ForUsNation.Com website.
We will provide links to the books chosen, and also (if wanted) we will provide an audio version read by a For Us Nation member.
Support Black Literature, and help protect the education for our people.
Below are some examples of books that we wish to read with you!
BlackOut June 2, 2020
Tuesday, June 2nd is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week,” they wrote. “The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominatnly from Black art. Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles and successes of Black people accountable. … This is not just a 24-hour initiative. We are and will be in this fight for the long haul. A plan of action will be announced.”
“...
In the meantime, the organization recommends:
If you have been impacted by the recent events, take a break – there is a lot going on and sometimes we all just need a minute. Take that minute.
Help the family of George Floyd HERE.
Fight for Breonna Taylor HERE.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery HERE.
Want to help protesters? Donate to one or more community bail funds HERE.
Visit Movement For Black Lives for additional ways you can help the cause.
Want to connect with leaders building grass roots campaigns? Click HERE.
Are you an ally and want to learn more? Here are some anti-racism resources.”
For Us Nation supports the Black Lives Matter movement!
Funding to Maintain
We are living in times right now that have us questioning our security and our futures. Futures that once felt bright, but may feel uncertain right now. We are evaluating our savings, and wondering how long they will cover our necessary outcome, and lifestyle. Some of us may even be deemed “essential workers”, which in and of itself is worrisome to say the least. Because, although you are receiving income you are also constantly putting yourself at risk to contract COVID19, but may feel obligated to continue taking that risk for so many reasons. Basically we are all experiencing unspeakable stress and could use some extra help.
Thankfully there are some organizations and resources that can assist with our financial hardships. For one, there are are organizations that are receiving funding from FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, to house people that are homeless and have compromised immune systems into hotels, and more. Alongside FEMA, we have been promised a stimulus check by our government, regardless of whether you filed your taxes this most recent tax season. If you are a non-filer please complete the application on the IRS website so that you can receive some much needed assistance. Lastly, in the Los Angeles area the Mission Asset Fund has opened up a funding source for LA creatives that can provide a $500 grant for creatives that have lost income due to COVID19. Please note that this is not guaranteed funding but you should still apply.
If you have any other resources that you are aware of that could assist others within the For Us Nation, then please email them to us so that we can share. Also, allow For Us to assist your business with visibility, by joining our directory, and if you could use more personalized assistance than please contact us.
Meet DJ Marcus El
Follow him on Instagram @DJMarcusEl and find his music on streaming platforms.
Meet DJ Marcus El, who is known nationally, soon to be internationally, with humble beginnings from the DMV area. When local, Dj Marcus El spins at his resident DC location called 1015 Bar & Lounge and is called on constantly to perform for his peers. He is also a regular DJ in Atlanta at club 1145, and has a residency in Harlem, Ny called “The Cecil”. DJ Marcus El is a member of Coalition DJs DMV, BPM Supreme, and MP3Waxxx. DJ Marcus El is sponsored by Born II Win clothing, and also makes music that is available on streaming platforms. Dj Marcus El aims to improve the Black community’s norms and perspective on our relationships (romantic and platonic), especially between our men and women through music. He also would like to assist in lowering the rate of homelessness. You can find him @DJMarcusEl and on the ForUsNation.Com website directory.
How Black Votes Can Elevate The Culture
By Tahyira Savanna
This week marked yet another debate, and to tell you the truth, we are losing interest as we get closer to Election Day. Why? Because, the closest candidate we had that represents our lives, was Andrew Yang. Hmm. Here’s the thing though. They desperately need Afro-Americans to get out and vote. Earlier this month on February 7th marked the 150th anniversary of the 15th amendment, granting freed slaves the right to vote. “The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (Wikipedia)
So, regardless of how we feel about it, we have a duty as Americans no matter our skin-tone and we have an obligation as Blacks to honor a privilege our ancestors never received. Before addressing why voting is very important for Black people, let’s examine why we don’t vote to begin with.
1. The Electoral College
The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Your State has the same number of electors as it does Members in its Congressional delegation: one for each member in the House of Representatives plus two Senators. (Archives.gov) I mean honestly, the wording itself is enough for Blacks to question the legitimacy of one vote. According to Stacey Abrams, the electoral college is a “classist, racist system whose time has passed and we need to get rid of it.” (The View) It came about in 1787 during the Congressional Convention. A committee formed to work out various details including the mode of election of the president, including final recommendations for the electors, a group of people apportioned among the states in the same numbers as their representatives in Congress but chosen by each state “in such manner as its Legislature may direct”. Vague much? Indeed. This is where it’s a little bit sticky for Blacks living in America during this first election.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was another major decision made during the convention which questioned whether slaves should be allowed to vote and how those votes would count versus Whites. The votes would also reflect the number of seats a given state would be allowed in Congress (House of Representatives) as well as tax breakdowns within the Union overall. James Wilson purposed a resolution that said count three out of every five slaves as people for this purpose. Its effect was to give the Southern states third more seats in Congress and a third more electoral votes than if slaves had been ignored, but fewer than if slaves and free people had been counted equally. (Wikipedia) Yeah, more confusing math equations, that serve to strip Blacks of individual human rights. So in nonmath terms, the Electoral College by design does not represent the accuracy of Black Americans. And it’s all in the history books.
2. Governmental Mistrust
During the early days of Obama’s first campaign, many Blacks spoke out about the very real and deep fear they had. Many proclaimed they weren’t going to aid with what they saw as Obama’s ultimate demise. They’ve killed off tons of our leaders and Obama looked like the biggest target. People refused to vote for him on these terms, they were afraid for him, Michelle, and their Black daughters. Understandable. Fear is a very powerful feeling. This is why politicians use scare tactics to spread disinformation. There’s a clip of now-deceased Senator John McCain talking in one of his campaign rallies where he abruptly pulls the microphone away from a White female senior citizen who stated that she’s afraid of Obama becoming President because he’s an Arab. The lie detector test determined that was a lie. But as we can see moving in fear never sets us on the righteous path forward.
3. Legal Discrimination Is Still Here and Access To Resources Are Still Not
Think about it this way, if the entire system is built to keep us from achieving equity status then why do they need our vote right? Word. Do you remember learning about Brown vs The Board of Ed? Separate and there has never been anything equal about it. For the Black eighteen-year-old and older, we have realized issues that we have not seen addressed. Take a wild guess who leading in polling numbers when it comes to Black voters. Biden has put his career, life, words, and money where his mouth is as far as we are concerned. Maybe seeing is the only way we believe and we saw him ride out with the Obama Administration.
So now that we know why you feel the way you do, let’s talk about why none of it has a bearing on your vote in 2020 and what your vote will represent.
Record Keeping and Record-Setting
Saundra Ardrey, a Western Kentucky University political science professor, who began the Bowling Green-Warren County’s NAACP “Black Votes Matter” program said this “To vote is to exist. If you’re not voting, then you’re not part of the political socio-economic system and you have no participation and you have no input.” There is true power at the ballot box because numbers don’t lie, only news reports do. They cannot continue to count us out when we’ve opted to be counted in. A lot of Black and poor Americans, in general, live in underserved and almost forgotten communities. Those same communities have the power to sway an election more pressingly since there aren’t that many voting trends for the politicians to target. Our generation can set the precedents. You see, they too require the numbers to help them place ad dollars on the right radio stations and tv networks. I also want to note that many of us assume that we are treated the most unfairly and have been for the longest duration when the facts show that Native Americans are worst off than Black Americans. Today, a greater percentage of Native Americans live in poverty than people of any other ethnicity; there are more white people who are living in poverty than any of other race; more than a quarter of blacks and nearly a quarter of Latinx are poor. (CityLab) Voting in local, state, and national elections can drastically change the face of leadership.
Uplifting Social Consciousness
Mind your business. That’s what Black teens hear from family members when they reach that critical thinking age where you no longer solely rely on your family’s point of view. They say that because their job is to keep you safe at all costs. Millennials had it different. Our access to the information highway allowed us to learn and process new information at a speed never before seen. We are the ones who heard Obama’s call for a change we need and we voted for the first time in our lives for a Black President – then he won. Success. Now we’re in our Thirties living through the Trump regime and it’s like huh. That’s because our parents and grandparents haven’t figured it out. Do you know that not voting is still voting?
Political interest is shaped by a person’s economic and cultural resources. The unemployed, for example, vote less, because they are less socially connected. Older, less mobile people in precarious housing vote less because of the architectural barriers preventing them from getting out. And families without access to technology vote less because they receive less information. (Equal Times). Access is a big keyword for Blacks. Remember though, our existence in this society began as a transaction. Access had been granted since Juneteenth but, some institutions operate simultaneously that continue to harm us. The media serves a dual purpose: to inform and to advertise. The latter being a mode of keeping poor people poor, keeping rich people safe, and ignoring everyone else in between. We all have a duty to understand and descry what’s real and what’s propaganda. I find that Twitter is a pretty decent tool when you’re just trying to firstly, not feel like you are alone or marginal in your political thinking, but mostly it’s a place to learn. We have access to all kinds of media, local, national, and international. When there’s an active shooter anywhere across the nation, Twitter reports go live first. Anytime there is a natural disaster, Twitter can help fill in the space between what the news is reporting and what you can watch in real-time. It is also easier to verify the authenticity of what is being shared versus platforms like Facebook, which the Russians target with fake new ads last time around or Instagram which is owned by Facebook.
Taking responsibility for yourself and your community begins at the ballot box. If your life only contains work and leisure then you have tons of time to mobile your community. The thing is that, while being Black in America we understand, that we need leadership. So I’ll ask you, dear reader, are you a leader or a follower?
Racist Attacks Continue Against House of Representatives “Squad”
It’s been a full week since President Trump made remarks against four freshman congresswoman notably referred to as the “Squad” via his Twitter feed. Trump told the four women, who he initially did not name in person, that they should “Go back to where you come from” dismissing the fact that three out of four of them are American born citizens except for Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is a naturalized citizen born in Somalia. During a rally held in North Carolina last week, Trump did, in fact, name his opponents saying “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, I told them I don’t have time to say three names” in which his crowd responded by chanting their anthem “Send her back” which is a play on his last election’s campaign against Hillary Clinton where Maga supporters chanted “Lock her up.” The scene is grim, to say the least. The President attempted to walk back the behaviors displayed at the rally saying “I don’t necessarily agree with it, I felt kind of bad about it.” But also continued to say “These people love our country.” The two other congresswomen who won their seats during the midterm elections that are also being attacked is Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Ayanna Pressly. The women held a joint news conference days after the President’s racist address in which they denounced his anti-American wording and reminded voters that America has long been a country of immigrants. The message being sent from the Head of State and the GOP is that if you are different then you do not count and that it is ok for others to use harmful language towards you.
Ocasio-Cortez has already been the focal point of online harassment as a Facebook group created by current and ex Border Patrol agents was exposed a few weeks back for inciting rape violence against her. The group has over 10,000 active Facebook members that in some instances have already been traced back to officials, the Department of Homeland Security stated but the true number of conspirators are still inconclusive. An investigation into the Facebook group has been launched. Today, in Louisiana a police officer has been fired for comments made on his Facebook page towards Ocasio-Cortez. Officer Chris Rispoli stated that the Representative from New York is a “vile idiot” and that “she needs a round,” insinuating that the congresswoman be shot. He was responding to an alleged fake news article that misappropriated a quote to the congresswoman that said: “we pay our soldiers too much”. Ocasio-Cortez responded on her twitter feed by saying “This is Trump’s goal when he uses targeted language & threatens elected officials who don’t agree with w/ his political agenda,”. She continued, “It’s authoritarian behavior. The President is sowing violence. He’s creating an environment where people can get hurt & he claims plausible deniability.”
The entire “squad” was targeted in yet another recent Facebook post by the Republican County Chairmen’s Association of Illinois, which labeled them the “jihad squad.” “Political Jihad is their game,” the since-deleted post read. “If you don’t agree with their socialist ideology you’re racist.” The response from Trump’s party has been relatively unacceptable. It is no longer okay or safe for those who hold public positions and have taken an oath to uphold American values, remain passive about circumstances of bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, and racism. We have continually thrashed into this hatred filled underbelly that will be marked in history by this Administration and those who chose to stay quiet about it. The GOP is afraid to over analyze any statements made by the President on Twitter for one big reason. They know that many of their constituents might feel the same way; which is a much sadder case. With the demographics of the U.S. shifting away from Whites being the majority race, the response to fear has increased attacks not only against Democrats who are non-White but also in communities where black and brown people live. The mainstream media has a job to do as well. As they continue to promote the fact that we are not as divided as we seem, the amount of support drawn from Trump’s racist rants tell a different story.
Do you feel safe in your community as it pertains to racial attacks?
For Us Book Club
Marcus Garvey was born August 17, 1887 within the St. Ann parish of Jamaica. Having studied the greats such as Booker T Washington, Garvey went on to form the Universal Negro Improvement Association with a motto “Back to Africa” which had its on naval distribution system as well as monetary system. Garvey has become an icon for Black Leadership and Nationhood. For Us has chosen the Garvey & garveyism book for March 2020 in an aim to promote leadership and community within the Black diaspora.
The Black Diaspora has been spread far and wide throughout the world which has in turn led to multitudes of languages and history. Within this Diaspora movement has been very popular, and through this movement much of our history has been forgotten. Thus it is very important For Us to read and to strengthen our knowledge of self in order to create a true and smart future.
The creation of the For Us book club is vital to enhancing our knowledge and legacy. The books that we feature will span from philosophical to business related to health focused. It is key to study and discuss our culture. If we look to older examples of organizing from the Black Panther Party to that were not strictly Black; reference How to Survive a Plague, we will notice that a common theme is research.
Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Marcus Garvey, Dr Amos Wilson, Huey P. Newton, and several other leaders pushed up and past the negative criticism due to their extended knowledge. When these leaders could not find support in their community they instead found backing from their history. But we must first become aware and well-versed in this history.
Now this is not to say that ever book that is promoted for its respected book will be new and unique to you every time. Instead this book may be highlighted for its continuous relevancy, and to ensure it is not lost in time. This is an opportunity For Us to grow together, and therefore sharing your thoughts through writing, videos, and comments to our pages will lead to strength within the community. Also, we ask for book suggestions that come from all over the world.
It’s Time For Us to be there For Us!