INDISCRIMINATE BONDING:
“Baby ducks have been known to follow a scientist’s yellow boots as if those boots were their mom, because that’s what they were exposed to directly after birth. This learned response is called indiscriminate bonding. (Perhaps one explanation for why we sometimes date the wrong person.” -Drs. Roizen & Oz
PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:
The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.
The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.
As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.
The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.
The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”
BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:
Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].
To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.
ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.
I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.
-Elsie Law AKA Starface
“I don’t want to be 50 years old at a BET We Shall Overcome Achievement Awards. Uh uh, not me. I want when they see me they know everyday, when I’m breathing it’s for us to go further. Every time I speak, I want the truth to come out. Every time I speak I want them to shiver, I don’t want them to be like they know what I’m going to say because it’s always polite. They know what I’m going to say? And even if I get in trouble, ain’t that what we supposed to do? I’m not saying I’m going to rule the world or I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world and that’s our job. It’s to spark somebody else who is watching us. We might not be the ones but let’s not be selfish, and because we’re not going to change the world, let’s not talk about how we should change it. I don’t know how to change it but I know if I keep talking about how dirty it is out here, somebody’s going to clean it up.” -Tupac Shakur
In 1880, Powell Johnson received a patent for his invention of an eye protector. His invention was created with the intent of protecting the eyes from intense light. Mr. Johnson’s invention was very beneficial to firemen and furnace-men.
“Plenty of people dream, but they never do anything about making their dreams real. Their dreams are all about what life will be like when everything is good, but they never include the stuff in between the good and the bad. Other people work hard, but they work just to get by, to pay the bills and keep somebody off their back. Those people are only working for someone else. They never work for themselves because they don’t have a dream behind all their labor.” -Bertice Berry
In 1884, Willie Johnson received a patent for his invention of an egg beater/mixing device. Born a slave, Willie Johnson is speculated to have invented the device to make the tasks of slaves who worked in the kitchen easier. His device contained a hand crank that rotated detachable prongs when turned. The device also had separate chambers that would permit a user to simultaneously whisk eggs in one chamber and mix batter in another. Mr. Johnson’s device was the blueprint for modern day mixers.
“I’m disappointed with America. I’m disappointed with governments. To govern people is a tremendous responsibility. It should be in the hands of those who are righteous, sane, and moral.” -Marvin Gaye
