I have gotten numerous calls and social media messages about a “Black Out” to be held on February 28th. This national effort is being launched by a group called The People’s Union. The purpose of the Black Out campaign is to protest the rollback of DEI programs in government and major corporations.
According to news reports, The People’s Union is targeting Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, but the group is also asking boycotters to refrain from spending money on fast food or gas as well. If consumers must make purchases, they are asked to buy only from small, local businesses.
Protesting over DEI for a day doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. The only thing that it will accomplish is shifting our spending from February to March. That is missing the real issue.
Our problem isn’t that we spend too much with major corporations, our problem is that we don’t spend enough of our hard-earned money in our own community. It is estimated that Black people spend less than five percent of our income with Black-owned businesses.
Recently, I read that African-Americans spend nearly $1.8 trillion annually. Assuming that figure is correct, that means we spend $1.7 trillion OUTSIDE of our community every year. To put that in perspective, every day we spend $4.7 billion to enrich other ethnic groups and corporations.
So how is shifting our spending from the last day in February to March going to make a difference?
To truly make an impact (and to build wealth in OUR community), we need to focus on spending money with businesses that we own and control. For 39 years, this newspaper has promoted and highlighted Black-owned businesses. We have hosted events promoting them, held banquets celebrating them and featured them every week on the front page and on our website.
I don’t have any problem with people wanting to protest on February 28. But beyond that date, I want our people to focus on something that will make real difference: Spending your money where it will have an actual impact.
I am willing to help. We are compiling a list of Black-owned businesses – specifically in the Midlands and the Lowcountry. We want a list of restaurants, retailers, service businesses, etc. We will publish the list on our websites and in our newspapers. That way, we can help people who are boycotting find places where they can spend their money.
If you know of a business or have a list of businesses we should add to the list, please send it to us at Panorama.com.We“>news@Carolina-Panorama.com.We want to have as many Black-owned businesses as possible.
We need more than a one-day event. We need a lasting movement. Real economic justice has always been within our power. It’s time we start using it.
