A Stronger America: The Black Agenda
However, our country’s position of dominance is being challenged by other nations. As a country we find ourselves in the midst of fiscal turmoil, ideological warfare between political parties and vastly different states of existence among its citizens. As we ponder the question, “How Does America Become Stronger?”, Black America is found at the vortex of this discussion.
As a community we must recognize that effective change will not occur through osmosis. Real, impactful change for Black America will only be achieved through an informed and engaged collective. We can no longer ignore our civic responsibilities and must begin to realize that conversations on Capital Hill have impact within our communities. The formula for our civic success starts with being engaged in the process of electing our public officials.
Reasonable research and scrutiny of potential candidates is a must and as a community no political party or candidate can blindly receive our support without earning it. The African American community must be vigorous in expressing our discontent with policy that is contrary to our interests. Significant improvement must be made in the area of accountability. We must be vigilant in our efforts to make sure that those whom we elect are properly reflecting the concerns and issues of our community. Black America can no longer fall prey to showmanship (i.e. pimping our pulpits) or false propaganda by prospective candidates or incumbents.
The national unemployment rate has decreased to 8.8% but the unemployment rate for African Americans has increased from 15.3% to 15.5%. Job creation is vital to a resurgent America, specifically Black America. Although one can’t ignore the impact of sound government policy in the area of job creation – the embracing of entrepreneurship within the black community has to become a communal focal point. The chasm between the wealthy and the poor is widening and small business ownership is the key to closing the gap.
Small businesses employ the majority of the labor force. For Black America, small business ownership directly addresses our unemployment rate because black business owners tend to hire labor reflective of their consumer base. Entrepreneurship provides a profound alternative for African Americans to achieve economic parity and financial freedom. In no ways can entrepreneurship be labeled a magic bullet that will solve all our social ills – however it strategically positions our community to deal with other issues such as incarceration, education, safety and health and human services.
As America looks to regain the strength that allowed us to achieve global prominence Black America must begin to look within. There exists a symbiotic relationship between government and our personal responsibility – it is not an “either/ or” proposition. Government should not bear the sole responsibility to correct what plagues our community. Government, specifically policy, should serve as a conduit to create a level playing field for all in an effort to allow everyone to enjoy the American Dream.
As a community we must look within and the stakes are too high to wait for a third party to solve our problems. A proactive role in shaping the world around us must be taken. Through systems of accountability, grassroots organizing, unity and exercising personal responsibility we will become the change agents needed for advancement. It is not the responsibility of one person to bear the cause of a race because that burden is too massive. African Americans must be the catalysts for creating and articulating the Black Agenda.
Curtis R. Monday is owner of Curtis R. Monday Insurance Agency, host Dollars and Sense, Saturdays, 8am to 9:30am, WVON 1690 AM. For more info visit CurtisMonday.net
