The Spoils of the Civil Rights Victory of 1964

This isn't a sweeping indictment of any group of people. However, we do have a challenge and the opportunity for a solution exists.

Prior to and during 1964, we had African Americans who were active in the civil rights campaign. We had a group who nonviolently boycotted and marched for freedom. We also had a group who fought for our freedom by any means they thought necessary. Yet there were others who sat on the sidelines, in the safety of their homes and jobs, and simply watched.

When the Civil Rights Act was passed, some of our misguided activists and most of those who sat on the sidelines proceeded to take the spoils. The spoils being, among other things, the right to go into a department store and try on a suit before buying it. Another spoil would be the right to walk through the front door of any establishment serving the public and do business. As we learned when the Israelites sacked Jericho; not all spoils should be taken back to the camp! As a result, a mass exodus began in the black business district in the mid to late sixties.

A couple of things occurred as a result of this mass exodus from the black business community. The one's who left gave the impression that the grass was indeed greener on the other side. They claimed the stores were cleaner, there was more selection, and prices were better than in the black businesses. As the allegations grew, a dislike for black business also grew. Suddenly the black businesses were viewed as trying to do business and not really as accomplished business men and women. Black business folk in return, developed a hatred for the black consumer. The Black consumers treacherous acts were neither forgiven nor forgotten. Worst of all, both sides taught their virulent and insensitive views to their children. Today, we see some of those children [now empty nesters] as consumers, still skeptically thumbing through the various Black business directories, and as business owners, refusing to specifically market to Black consumers. All of them loving the concept of community empowerment through economics, but never trusting anyone enough to ever achieve it.

Now that this particular problem has been stated, what will YOU do to solve it? What will YOU teach your children through your actions? Will you remove the spoils from the camp so that the community will be blessed?

Kyle Moffett is the President of USEBOBO.com (Use Black Owned Black Operated). USEBOBO.com is a national internet directory of Black owned businesses, churches and social/professional organizations. For more information, visit www.usebobo.com