Jim Brown's Take on the American-African Economic Movement

Wow..! Thanks OP Always respected Jim... Has consistently spoke the raw truth..!!

just give me that chance. It would take a lot of capital to get started but I got a plan for real, I got a plan.he is exactly right, many black people even today's spend our dollars trying to show off or keep up with the Joneses. Having black people think that you need a BMW, iron this because I work or I just graduated.

I have a coworker who just bought a BMW with a near $800 a month car note in Ohio Midwestern dollars. She just had a new car in 2012, but she felt she had to get this BMW. The funny thing is she isn't Street, she just got her Masters in Business. Now, wouldn't it have been better spent somewhere else than a new BMW when you have a car that I was relatively new already? I have mentioned in other posts, one of the Walmart heirs drives a Ford F 150, Bill Gates drives a Ford Escape, but many black people judge success by spending 50, 60 thousand or more on a car or feel that they need to do so and then don't see any problem with doing so saying that "you can't take it with you".

The "you can't take it with you" mentality is one of the biggest things and my opinion holding the black race back. The only thing we passed down is that because we do all we can to spend all our money in our lifetime. We don't pass anything down to our kids that could help them get to that next level. No. Why would I do that I work hard for my money they should work hard for theirs. This has to change
 
Parental involvement, or should I say the lack of it, is the biggest impediment to black economic progress. All those detrimental causes Brown spoke about would be greatly diminished if the proper education of our children was our primary focus and even our mission throughout their formative years. Teachers cannot do it all for us and they won't because they're not completely vested in our kids future. Not a knock, just reality.

As a people perhaps we should focus more on solutions rather that just identifying and griping about the problems. Something people like Travis Smiley, Cornel West and Bill Cosby would do well to keep in mind. :hmm:
 
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just give me that chance. It would take a lot of capital to get started but I got a plan for real, I got a plan.he is exactly right, many black people even today's spend our dollars trying to show off or keep up with the Joneses. Having black people think that you need a BMW, iron this because I work or I just graduated.

I have a coworker who just bought a BMW with a near $800 a month car note in Ohio Midwestern dollars. She just had a new car in 2012, but she felt she had to get this BMW. The funny thing is she isn't Street, she just got her Masters in Business. Now, wouldn't it have been better spent somewhere else than a new BMW when you have a car that I was relatively new already? I have mentioned in other posts, one of the Walmart heirs drives a Ford F 150, Bill Gates drives a Ford Escape, but many black people judge success by spending 50, 60 thousand or more on a car or feel that they need to do so and then don't see any problem with doing so saying that "you can't take it with you".

The "you can't take it with you" mentality is one of the biggest things and my opinion holding the black race back. The only thing we passed down is that because we do all we can to spend all our money in our lifetime. We don't pass anything down to our kids that could help them get to that next level. No. Why would I do that I work hard for my money they should work hard for theirs. This has to change


I agree 100% like Nas said "what do we own"..? Instead of a Car why not own a company.. you can pass that down for generations.! Instead of the "i work hard for mine" mentality.. why not pair hard work with working smart.!!:rolleyes:
 
first, I know I'm not the only one I would love to see Michelle Obama and some 4 inch heels.
secondly you are exactly right.we need to build something, something sustainable, something substantial that it would take a lot to break it down. They are destroying the tree ladies and gentlemen. They tried cutting of the branches the tried burning the leaves and figured that did not work so instead they started poisoning the roots and poisoning the soil. When the leaves weather and I and branches fall off the tree will die we don't save it.
I agree 100% like Nas said "what do we own"..? Instead of a Car why not own a company.. you can pass that down for generations.! Instead of the "i work hard for mine" mentality.. why not pair hard work with working smart.!!:rolleyes:
 
Parental involvement, or should I say the lack of it, is the biggest impediment to black economic progress. All those detrimental causes Brown spoke about would be greatly diminished if the proper education of our children was our primary focus and even our mission throughout their formative years. Teachers cannot do it all for us and they won't because they're not completely vested in our kids future. Not a knock, just reality.

As a people perhaps we should focus more on solutions rather that just identifying and griping about the problems. Something people like Travis Smiley, Cornel West and Bill Cosby would do well to keep in mind. :hmm:

Alotta egos get hurt with solutions. I agree with you though. Solutions are the next big step.
 
okay, let's start with some solutions

Our children become priority #1 from here on out. No more luxury cars, fancy tvs, etc., if the neccesities of our children aren't being met. Education is the new football, basketball, baseball, rap, hiphop, entertainment, etc. If the education standards are not met within the community, we take it up a notch and begin grooming the next wave of black teachers for our children.

We pool our money together and begin providing black businesses with loans to grow their enterprise.
 
Our children become priority #1 from here on out. No more luxury cars, fancy tvs, etc., if the neccesities of our children aren't being met. Education is the new football, basketball, baseball, rap, hiphop, entertainment, etc. If the education standards are not met within the community, we take it up a notch and begin grooming the next wave of black teachers for our children.

nothing about cars is that they lose 20 percent of their value at least as soon as you roll them off a lot, so buying a brand new BMW is relatively pointless. You could in essence buy a BMW decked out, 2 to 3 years old with low miles and still get the same quality of vehicle. Anything that you need to put on it you can get a detailing shop to take care of for less than it would cost to get a new one. Why people feel the need to get brand new cars is beyond me because if its for sure purposes for which it normally is the talk of your nice new car is going to last a month if that

we need to get it out of our kids that it is cool to be dumb. Education is the only way they were going to get ourselves and our kids out of this mess. Stop placing value on silly, irresponsible material stuff. I swear if I hear another person talking about from True Religion Jeans that cost $500 a piece for one pair.we need to teach that you don't need to keep up with the fads and trends to be cool. the new Kanye West Air Yeezys, you still have on a pair of Nikes. So you don't have a pair of the true religion jeans, they're still name brand and they cost less than 10 percent of the True Religions. It is more important to spend money elsewhere then on trends that are fly by night
 
We pool our money together and begin providing black businesses with loans to grow their enterprise.

I would be down with the pooling of money, but that can only work if the person who is running it is not greedy. We don't need another, "What do you mean Willie's gone," (a quote from a raisin the Sun when a guy ran off with all of the people's money). we don't need a person who thinks like the black pastors in the black neighborhoods, driving around in their BMW's Benz's and Bentleys, trying for status symbols and not for the purpose of building. There are too much of those people already.

we need somebody who is not materialistic. One who feels that they have enough and would not need to steal from the pot 2 line his pockets or to build a new wing on his house. it doesn't have to be me, but somebody like me who does not believe in show of jewelry. I have never, and will never screw anybody over financially for selfish reasons. I believe in honor.

I Drive an old Hyundai, and if I were to upgrade it definitely wouldn't be something over 30 grand, and I absolutely would not do it with the black business money. I would practice what I preach, and preach living within your means. I may have a nice big house, but everything inside the house is paid for, TV, stove, refrigerator, washer dryer, snow blower, and riding mower. Add to it I've got less than $5000 worth of debt. I'm not trying to say that you have to live like a pauper, but live within your means and you don't need a samsung 55" flat screen in every room and a couple of brand new BMW in the garage

I believe that something could and should be done, but if someone is going to run it they have got to be trustworthy
 
nothing about cars is that they lose 20 percent of their value at least as soon as you roll them off a lot, so buying a brand new BMW is relatively pointless. You could in essence buy a BMW decked out, 2 to 3 years old with low miles and still get the same quality of vehicle. Anything that you need to put on it you can get a detailing shop to take care of for less than it would cost to get a new one. Why people feel the need to get brand new cars is beyond me because if its for sure purposes for which it normally is the talk of your nice new car is going to last a month if that

we need to get it out of our kids that it is cool to be dumb. Education is the only way they were going to get ourselves and our kids out of this mess. Stop placing value on silly, irresponsible material stuff. I swear if I hear another person talking about from True Religion Jeans that cost $500 a piece for one pair.we need to teach that you don't need to keep up with the fads and trends to be cool. the new Kanye West Air Yeezys, you still have on a pair of Nikes. So you don't have a pair of the true religion jeans, they're still name brand and they cost less than 10 percent of the True Religions. It is more important to spend money elsewhere then on trends that are fly by night

Us/Black People - "Yo I'm tryna cop the new $300 yeezys son"

Jews/Asians - "Yo I'm gonna OWN me a shoe store and have all the yeezys I want"

That my friend, is our problem. The difference between us and them is that we feel content and accomplished with the shoes on our feet. They are content selling us $300 shoes and using that money to send their own children to school to be educated/network on how to "pimp" the minds of our own children.
 
Us/Black People - "Yo I'm tryna cop the new $300 yeezys son"

Jews/Asians - "Yo I'm gonna OWN me a shoe store and have all the yeezys I want"

That my friend, is our problem. The difference between us and them is that we feel content and accomplished with the shoes on our feet. They are content selling us $300 shoes and using that money to send their own children to school to be educated/network on how to "pimp" the minds of our own children.

this is very true. So what is the solution? The girl that I spoke of earlier is educated (MBA) and she is just as much a part of the problem. If are educated are lost the uneducated are even more lost. What can we do the materialistic mentality is a cancer to the black community because we will go broke trying to look good.

many parents think that materialism shows that they love their kids. My sister-in-law spent over $1000 on her one 5 yr old kid for Christmas but didn't have enough money to put gas in her tank or food in the refrigerator that week.
 
this is very true. So what is the solution? The girl that I spoke of earlier is educated (MBA) and she is just as much a part of the problem. If are educated are lost the uneducated are even more lost. What can we do the materialistic mentality is a cancer to the black community because we will go broke trying to look good.

many parents think that materialism shows that they love their kids. My sister-in-law spent over $1000 on her one 5 yr old kid for Christmas but didn't have enough money to put gas in her tank or food in the refrigerator that week.

The solution is simple. OWN INSTEAD OF BUYING. We must focus on ownership instead of material consumerism.

That $1000 would have been better spent in a college savings plan for her daughter instead of junk that won't even be used a year from now.
 
The solution is simple. OWN INSTEAD OF BUYING. We must focus on ownership instead of material consumerism.

That $1000 would have been better spent in a college savings plan for her daughter instead of junk that won't even be used a year from now.

I know that and you know that, but how do we bring light to the Black people lost in the dark because simply leading by example hasn't helped thus far?
 
First of all, I TRIED to find something wrong with the video because I love Brown so much, that it is hard for me to be objective of his earlier work and there was NOTHING, NADA, NILCH, that he said that DIDN'T make sense.

What did make me mad is, this interview looked to be late 70's, early 80's...if he knew all that information then, then I have to assume other black males from the time did to, so what in THE f*ck are we doing today, then?:confused:

The sh!t's a tragedy!:smh:
just give me that chance. It would take a lot of capital to get started but I got a plan for real, I got a plan.he is exactly right, many black people even today's spend our dollars trying to show off or keep up with the Joneses. Having black people think that you need a BMW, iron this because I work or I just graduated.

I have a coworker who just bought a BMW with a near $800 a month car note in Ohio Midwestern dollars. She just had a new car in 2012, but she felt she had to get this BMW. The funny thing is she isn't Street, she just got her Masters in Business. Now, wouldn't it have been better spent somewhere else than a new BMW when you have a car that I was relatively new already? I have mentioned in other posts, one of the Walmart heirs drives a Ford F 150, Bill Gates drives a Ford Escape, but many black people judge success by spending 50, 60 thousand or more on a car or feel that they need to do so and then don't see any problem with doing so saying that "you can't take it with you".

The "you can't take it with you" mentality is one of the biggest things and my opinion holding the black race back. The only thing we passed down is that because we do all we can to spend all our money in our lifetime. We don't pass anything down to our kids that could help them get to that next level. No. Why would I do that I work hard for my money they should work hard for theirs. This has to change
I'm down. I'm already doing it.

I like what Dr. Clarke says, "A nation is not fit to lead until it can make it's own underwear."

Now, this is my problem, us here in the South understand the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of the cotton crop.

Northerners understood the looming, dyeing, and production of the cotton sent up North.

So, lately I have been pondering why aren't we making our own clothes?

I just finished the Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams. The read was phenomenal. There need to be many books like that to further break African History down century by century and dynasty by dynasty so we are aware of what we are capable of.

Now, the solutions he mentioned at the end of the book were things I discussed with classmates in college.:eek:

That is not to toot my own horn, that is to say, I am not the only one thinking and knowing how to build but it don't mean NOTHING until you build it.

I will close with this, Williams claimed that EVERY African in EVERY tribe had the trade of agriculture, without exception. THEN you had your personal trade (combat, sewing, metallurgy, pottery, scholar, mason construction)in addition to....KNOWING HOW TO FEED YOURSELF.

If we start right there, RIGHT NOW, in a year's time, you would see a difference in your home, possibly your street, maybe your block, hopefully you neighborhood.

We have...to start...CREATING, simple as that.
Alotta egos get hurt with solutions. I agree with you though. Solutions are the next big step.
You sure can't pass your ego down through your lineage...so f*ck 'em.
Our children become priority #1 from here on out. No more luxury cars, fancy tvs, etc., if the neccesities of our children aren't being met. Education is the new football, basketball, baseball, rap, hiphop, entertainment, etc. If the education standards are not met within the community, we take it up a notch and begin grooming the next wave of black teachers for our children.

We pool our money together and begin providing black businesses with loans to grow their enterprise.

:itsawrap:
 
Respect your post. I own a bmw, fairly new. 40% down payment and if u want to know, as my note is $1050 a month on a 36 month term. I have a love for German cars, and it's not for the jonses, nobody on my block has ever had more than a $30k ride and they are just as happy. I also own three different businesses and have relatively no bills. My house is paid off, the only personal bills I have are utilities, car note, which should be done by this summer, and property taxes, oh and btw, me and the wife got plenty of savings. My point is, it's not the bmw or shoes or any consumer goods that entrap us, it's lack of knowledge and ignorance. If most of us had the knowledge and means, which car dealership you driving to? Warren buffet has those two pairs of shoes, one main and one reserve. Warren also has a multimillion dollar jet on standby at all times. Everybody got their thing. I believe we as a people want to be great, but because of lack of opportunity and wisdom, we go for the next best thing which is looking the part. There's nothing wrong with nice things if your other shit is straight. Most people just don't know they have a choice.
 
Respect your post. I own a bmw, fairly new. 40% down payment and if u want to know, as my note is $1050 a month on a 36 month term. I have a love for German cars, and it's not for the jonses, nobody on my block has ever had more than a $30k ride and they are just as happy. I also own three different businesses and have relatively no bills. My house is paid off, the only personal bills I have are utilities, car note, which should be done by this summer, and property taxes, oh and btw, me and the wife got plenty of savings. My point is, it's not the bmw or shoes or any consumer goods that entrap us, it's lack of knowledge and ignorance. If most of us had the knowledge and means, which car dealership you driving to? Warren buffet has those two pairs of shoes, one main and one reserve. Warren also has a multimillion dollar jet on standby at all times. Everybody got their thing. I believe we as a people want to be great, but because of lack of opportunity and wisdom, we go for the next best thing which is looking the part. There's nothing wrong with nice things if your other shit is straight. Most people just don't know they have a choice.

Oh, without a doubt, you have a point.

And that's just the problem, the MAJORITY of us do not have access to what the powerful and wealthy have access to, although we are mentally good enough to be there.

The system of white supremacy AND self hate is a MUTHAF*CKA!!!
 
Respect your post. I own a bmw, fairly new. 40% down payment and if u want to know, as my note is $1050 a month on a 36 month term. I have a love for German cars, and it's not for the jonses, nobody on my block has ever had more than a $30k ride and they are just as happy. I also own three different businesses and have relatively no bills. My house is paid off, the only personal bills I have are utilities, car note, which should be done by this summer, and property taxes, oh and btw, me and the wife got plenty of savings. My point is, it's not the bmw or shoes or any consumer goods that entrap us, it's lack of knowledge and ignorance. If most of us had the knowledge and means, which car dealership you driving to? Warren buffet has those two pairs of shoes, one main and one reserve. Warren also has a multimillion dollar jet on standby at all times. Everybody got their thing. I believe we as a people want to be great, but because of lack of opportunity and wisdom, we go for the next best thing which is looking the part. There's nothing wrong with nice things if your other shit is straight. Most people just don't know they have a choice.

Oh, without a doubt, you have a point.

And that's just the problem, the MAJORITY of us do not have access to what the powerful and wealthy have access to, although we are mentally good enough to be there.

The system of white supremacy AND self hate is a MUTHAF*CKA!!!

I speak on people who own BMW's but I am not speaking to all. I don't believe the cost of a vehicle should be anywhere near what you make annually. If you are single and make $50k, it is idiotic to go out and get a $60k car, especially brand new. If that was me I'd go out for a BMW that is 2-4 yrs old with low miles (2011 BMW 3 Series 328xi SULEV 27k miles - $22,393). If you are making $100k or more, then fine, a $50-60k car isn't all of your money.

It also matters how much time you spend in your car. Living 25 miles from work, it would behoove me to have something that I could be comfortable driving in and sitting in for a while, but with Hyundai, Kia, stepping up their game and putting out quality decent cars why not go that route?

Anybody who dogs either of those cars, fuck them. I heard this one dude at a bus stop talking when I drove up, "Uuuagh, that dude is driving a (Kia) Sportage, man. That's a chick's car. I couldn't do that shit man. I wouldn't be caught in no Kia, man. :lol:"

How is a walking motherfucker gonna judge my car?

We as a people need to realize why we are doing some of the things we do. Who are we trying to impress? And don't say you ain't trying to impress nobody. I hate status symbols because they are usually expensive and the people who have them or strive to get them are not well off enough that dropping that kinda cash won't hurt. In Cleveland you see expensive ass SUVs in apartment building parking lots all the time. $50-60k, you coulda bought a house.

THere is a difference between having the money and being able to afford it.
 
Oh, without a doubt, you have a point.

And that's just the problem, the MAJORITY of us do not have access to what the powerful and wealthy have access to, although we are mentally good enough to be there.

The system of white supremacy AND self hate is a MUTHAF*CKA!!!


And that is why we have to recognize it for what it is and say we want no part of the street poison they peddle to the black community!
 
I speak on people who own BMW's but I am not speaking to all. I don't believe the cost of a vehicle should be anywhere near what you make annually. If you are single and make $50k, it is idiotic to go out and get a $60k car, especially brand new. If that was me I'd go out for a BMW that is 2-4 yrs old with low miles (2011 BMW 3 Series 328xi SULEV 27k miles - $22,393). If you are making $100k or more, then fine, a $50-60k car isn't all of your money.

It also matters how much time you spend in your car. Living 25 miles from work, it would behoove me to have something that I could be comfortable driving in and sitting in for a while, but with Hyundai, Kia, stepping up their game and putting out quality decent cars why not go that route?

Anybody who dogs either of those cars, fuck them. I heard this one dude at a bus stop talking when I drove up, "Uuuagh, that dude is driving a (Kia) Sportage, man. That's a chick's car. I couldn't do that shit man. I wouldn't be caught in no Kia, man. :lol:"

How is a walking motherfucker gonna judge my car?

We as a people need to realize why we are doing some of the things we do. Who are we trying to impress? And don't say you ain't trying to impress nobody. I hate status symbols because they are usually expensive and the people who have them or strive to get them are not well off enough that dropping that kinda cash won't hurt. In Cleveland you see expensive ass SUVs in apartment building parking lots all the time. $50-60k, you coulda bought a house.

THere is a difference between having the money and being able to afford it.

:yes:
 
First of all, I TRIED to find something wrong with the video because I love Brown so much, that it is hard for me to be objective of his earlier work and there was NOTHING, NADA, NILCH, that he said that DIDN'T make sense.

What did make me mad is, this interview looked to be late 70's, early 80's...if he knew all that information then, then I have to assume other black males from the time did to, so what in THE f*ck are we doing today, then?:confused:

The sh!t's a tragedy!:smh:

I'm down. I'm already doing it.

I like what Dr. Clarke says, "A nation is not fit to lead until it can make it's own underwear."

Now, this is my problem, us here in the South understand the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of the cotton crop.

Northerners understood the looming, dyeing, and production of the cotton sent up North.

So, lately I have been pondering why aren't we making our own clothes?

I just finished the Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams. The read was phenomenal. There need to be many books like that to further break African History down century by century and dynasty by dynasty so we are aware of what we are capable of.

Now, the solutions he mentioned at the end of the book were things I discussed with classmates in college.:eek:

That is not to toot my own horn, that is to say, I am not the only one thinking and knowing how to build but it don't mean NOTHING until you build it.

I will close with this, Williams claimed that EVERY African in EVERY tribe had the trade of agriculture, without exception. THEN you had your personal trade (combat, sewing, metallurgy, pottery, scholar, mason construction)in addition to....KNOWING HOW TO FEED YOURSELF.

If we start right there, RIGHT NOW, in a year's time, you would see a difference in your home, possibly your street, maybe your block, hopefully you neighborhood.

We have...to start...CREATING, simple as that.

You sure can't pass your ego down through your lineage...so f*ck 'em.


:itsawrap:
:yes::yes:
 
I love the game plan being brought but there's a bigger picture. In a nutshell, who's gonna make this generation responsible? Just because you guys are aware & wanting to make a change doesn't mean that'll be the case for everyone.

For instance, we spoke on education earlier. Who's gonna make the schools in question better so that our kids will learn better? Who's gonna place pressure on the teachers to make our children a priority? Who's gonna make the parent(s) go to PTA meetings consistently? Who's gonna get these same parents out to the city counsel meetings & voting booths to get the right people in office so that the changes made won't be reversed by a law, edict or statue? Who's gonna stop the "other parties" from inflitrating our progress & causing a divisive enviroment?

I'm with y'all 110% but I'm just the type to see the bigger picture & to keep it real, we might have to either give up on the current generation or aggressively step up as big brothers & big sisters to at least a good 10 kids per person & guide them.
 
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