In the days of segregation many were forced to stay within their own communities in order to obey the law and or distance themselves from those of other backgrounds. Although some wished they had a choice, many used these times of chaos to strengthen their own communities through business and community. At this point in time people had businesses in their community filled with people that were of the same race and or ethnicity which kept the money within the community and made it stronger. In order to destroy these communities an outside force had to be responsible but throughout time many problems came from within the community. For example, in Tulsa, Oklahoma a wealthy African American community known as the Black Wall Street, one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States, came to existence. Due to the fact that some hated to see progress in the Black community, members of the Klu Klux Klan along with white civilians held race riots in order to destroy this area. This area served as a threat to white superiority and dominance and for this reason they wanted to destroy it. In the Tulsa Race Riots of 1921 this area was destroyed and it took many years to reconstruct it. At this time many communities were destroyed and Black business owners were like prey because they symbolized progression. Many of these businessmen were wrongfully murdered or forced out of town for this reason and Black pioneers of journalism such as Ida B. Wells, tried to combat this white resistance and racism through spreading knowledge of these wrongdoings to the Black community. By the time these areas were reconstructed desegregation was implemented and many were encouraged to step outside their communities for resource. This trend would later be a blessing and curse to the Black community years later.
Desegregation led to many resources and opportunities being available for many people of different backgrounds. Many people are allowed to coexist and go to other communities for education, jobs, as consumers and tourists. Although many venture out they still maintain strong relationships with their community as a whole.and fund many things unconsciously through their support of local businesses. In America, the melting pot, we have many ethnic groups forming their own neighborhoods but can still classified under one title when in comparison to others. WHITE, ASIAN, HISPANIC....etc; however, when it comes to the Black community.........or whatever we have, there is no sense of solidarity due to conflict and traditions of destruction. In many riots throughout the Civil Rights struggle, especially in the 60's, Black people destroyed their own communities through looting and chaos. Not to stir up hostility or encourage outward violence, but why would one destroy their own community to prove a point to an oppressive force? Some argue that these acts were symbolic of the lack of tolerance for a slum like environment or condition. I still wouldn't support the destruction of whatever we did have though. Besides the physical destruction of neighborhoods many people within the Black community began to shop elsewhere because of the freedom to do so. Our mistake was equating desegregation with freedom. The more we began to shop elsewhere the more this became a habit and the more money the Black community could have made was being spent elsewhere. This led to Black businessmen and women being discouraged and unsupported which is one reason there are few Black owned businesses today.
Today the same trend is still present when looking at the fascination we have with foreign brands. One can spend so much on True Religion jeans and Michael Kors and brands that the makers do not even want us in. We can shop elsewhere in other neighborhoods before we try to support any business in our community or even each other. For that we are all guilty, including me. Still we have to realize that the more we spend elsewhere the more money we lose out on and the weaker we become compared to others. Sadly, if we buy things in our own community we still support other communities because the people behind our counters aren't even African American and are notorious for mistreating us. When these businesses open up in our communities I don't see boycotts or competing businesses. When looking in other communities I don't even see others moving in too frequently. Consider white flight: White communities moving away at the sight of a few minorities to preserve resources and support tradition and dominance. This did have ill intentions but also strengthened them to a point where they are economically powerful. What can we as Black folks do about gentrification though? Not much unfortunately. Our communities are not being controlled by us. I call on young entrepreneurs to encourage Black business and consumers to benefit our community more. I also challenge the Black elite to give more efforts to give back to the communities they come from and live off of. Money will never solve all of our problems, but money can help benefit us in many ways including education, job creation, recreational facilities and many other public interests. It was a point in time where others had to step in to disrupt our progress. No need for chains and whips when our minds are gone because we continue to hurt our own communities through the murder rate and tradition of hate. Segregation supported many evils our society needed to move past; unfortunately, since its termination the decline in Black Power is happening through the lack of REAL community.
-Jeremiah the Messiah
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