[Coins]

Family only buys from black business.

ATLANTA — It's been two months since 2-year-old Cori pulled the gold stud from her left earlobe, and the piercing is threatening to close as her mother, Maggie Anderson, hunts for a replacement. It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions. Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.

Racism works both ways. If a white family said we are only going to buy from whites, there would be a backlash from both whites and blacks. Separating ourselves only promotes racism. If this becomes popular, then the Caucasian owned businesses that employ hispanics, blacks, asians, etc. will lose out.

[ElectricBlue187]

black people can be racist too
shocking, I know

[KHarvey16]

But the couple still hasn't found a...home security system vendor

I WONDER WHY

/racism

[LCfiner]

Can it be a bad idea AND racist?

I go with that option

[Servizio]

Let's derail this thread into a discussion about people who pierce the ears of their two year olds.

And see if we can't further derail that into a chat about circumcision.

[VeritasVierge]

Let's derail this thread into a discussion about people who pierce the ears of their two year olds. And see if we can't further derail that into a chat about circumcision.

My ears were pierced less than a year after I was born. Maybe about 7 months.


It's a bad idea and racist. I'm sure in their mind though, it's a black empowerment thing when they really are discriminating.

[GrapeApes]

Family only buys from black business. Racism works both ways. If a white family said we are only going to buy from whites, there would be a backlash from both whites and blacks. Separating ourselves only promotes racism. If this becomes popular, then the Caucasian owned businesses that employ hispanics, blacks, asians, etc. will lose out.

Who cares about what they decide to do with their own money?

Anyways shit seems mad inconvenient. I'm not going out my way to buy a Snickers bar 15 miles away just cause the guy who owns the store is black.

[KHarvey16]

Wouldn't you love to be one of those kids as you go for a ride with dad all over town asking what color the owner of each store is? I don't even care if it's racist, it's dumb first and foremost.

[Slurmer]

THAT'S RACIST!

[Coins]

Who cares about what they decide to do with their own money? Anyways shit seems mad inconvenient. I'm not going out my way to buy a Snickers bar 15 miles away just cause the guy who owns the store is black.

I dont care what they do with their money. However, they are trying to propagate this idea nationally. If that happened then they are just taking money away from blacks since almost all business employs many nationalities.

[knicks]

Wake up....It's the 21st century, when will this shit end?

[Shins]

Stupid is colorblind.

[eznark]

If someone came in to my store and asked what color the owner was, I wouldn't serve them. Good idea though, raise your kid to fight the race war. She can combat some of the Springer KKK toddlers.

[2 Minutes Turkish]

This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

So they'll only eat from a McDonald's franchise owned by a black person too?

Just buy your shit from whoever stocks what you want at the cheapest price. Try that for a while. It usually works out for all involved.

[BigAT]

Why does ANYONE think that the cure for racism is more racism?!

[Ela Hadrun]

Just because something involves race doesn't mean it's racist.

I guess I don't read this as "boycotting white business" or anything, so much as a social experiment in finding out "can I live my life for a year patronizing only black businesses."

And they have to travel 14 miles to a grocery store, even though there are shitloads of 1) grocery stores and 2) black people in metro Atlanta. But there aren't a lot of independently owned grocery stores anymore, period, and there certainly aren't many of those that are owned by black people (obviously from the article).

I *don't* think it's a smart idea to try such an experiment when you have young children, but presumably if the baby came down with an ear infection and they had to use a 24-hour chain pharmacy they would sigh and do it.

It's a lot like people trying to survive on locally-owned businesses alone, to me. And it's got the added kicker of trying to support a community that is such a high percentage of the population but still controls such a small percentage of the capital.

I think it's kind of cool and if they write a book about it I will read it.

Bonus Edit: for those saying "if someone said 'I only buy from white-owned businesses' then that would be considered racist," well DUH, that is what most of us already DO here in America. We just aren't aware of it.

[Ripclawe]

Dumb and racist.

I patronize stores and businesses that give me at least good service and price, I could care less about the color of the owner's skin.

[eznark]

Just because something involves race doesn't mean it's racist. I guess I don't read this as "boycotting white business" or anything, so much as a social experiment in finding out "can I live my life for a year patronizing only black businesses." And they have to travel 14 miles to a grocery store, even though there are shitloads of 1) grocery stores and 2) black people in metro Atlanta. But there aren't a lot of independently owned grocery stores anymore, period, and there certainly aren't many of those that are owned by black people (obviously from the article). I *don't* think it's a smart idea to try such an experiment when you have young children, but presumably if the baby came down with an ear infection and they had to use a 24-hour chain pharmacy they would sigh and do it. It's a lot like people trying to survive on locally-owned businesses alone, to me. And it's got the added kicker of trying to support a community that is such a high percentage of the population but still controls such a small percentage of the capital. I think it's kind of cool and if they write a book about it I will read it. Bonus Edit: for those saying "if someone said 'I only buy from white-owned businesses' then that would be considered racist," well DUH, that is what most of us already DO here in America. We just aren't aware of it.

Cool, then you'll dig my hiring only white people "social experiment." I'm not boycotting blacks per se, I just want to write a best seller.

[BobbyRobby]

i respect their integrity, but wish they were boycotting stores for other reasons.

[KHarvey16]

Bonus Edit: for those saying "if someone said 'I only buy from white-owned businesses' then that would be considered racist," well DUH, that is what most of us already DO here in America. We just aren't aware of it.

No, not even close.

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Well that's just stupid.

[Coins]

Bonus Edit: for those saying "if someone said 'I only buy from white-owned businesses' then that would be considered racist," well DUH, that is what most of us already DO here in America. We just aren't aware of it.

We arent aware because we dont give a rat's ass what color the owner's skin is and we dont even think to ask.

[neptunes]

this stuff happens in other ethnic communities

especially here in Canada (GTA, Ontario to be exact)

[Blackace]

Family only buys from black business. Racism works both ways. If a white family said we are only going to buy from whites, there would be a backlash from both whites and blacks. Separating ourselves only promotes racism. If this becomes popular, then the Caucasian owned businesses that employ hispanics, blacks, asians, etc. will lose out.

I think supporting a community you belong to is a good idea, but doing so out of spite, or even blindly is dumb..

I support the little mom and pop stores in my area. I can get most things for a bit cheaper in the big stores but I feel good putting money directly into the owner's hands...

But it is not a new concept and a lot of people do it, they just aren't writing stories about them..

this stuff happens in other ethnic communities especially here in Canada (GTA, Ontario to be exact)

A lot of the different Asian ethnic communities in Seattle are real good for this as well..

[Coins]

I think supporting a community you belong to is a good idea, but doing so out of spite, or even blindly is dumb.. I support the little mom and pop stores in my area. I can get most things for a bit cheaper in the big stores but I feel good putting money directly into the owner's hands... But it is not a new concept and a lot of people do it, they just aren't writing stories about them..

I support my community stores as well. I will pay a little more to support a smaller store. It has nothing to do with skin color though. If you are a local business owner I want you to do well regardless of your skin color.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

people have been doing this for decades. it's nothing new.

in fact obama wrote about it in his first book

[PantherLotus]

Not sure if it's actually racist or an "experiment," but it certainly doesn't seem very productive. The best way to do this without being racist is to buy locally and live near the race you most identify with.

[Blackace]

I support my community stores as well. I will pay a little more to support a smaller store. It has nothing to do with skin color though. If you are a local business owner I want you to do well regardless of your skin color.

I never said otherwise. They are taking it further than just the store front... they are also only buying black made products..

While it is true there are a lot less black owned businesses and they do need suppotr, but I think you have to pick your battles rather than drawing a line in the sand. They need support and they need to make good products not just have people buying blindly, they need to be able to sell to the world if they really want black businesses to succeed.

[Machine]

I understand wanting to support independently owned businesses but if race is an issue, patronizing black-owned businesses isn't a very strong political statement. After all, those business are buying their Snickers bars, toilet paper, and bottled water from manufacturers that are not exclusively black owned.

[mAcOdIn]

I don't really care that much to be honest.

It might be a tad bit racist but I do also see some reasoning behind it.

What I'd find funny is what if some white people decided to only shop at black owned stores to help the cause, how would that fly over?

But really, I couldn't care less about this, the ratio is fucked up so people correcting it on their own is fine with me.

[Xeke]

Racism = Prejudice + Power.

Black people cannot be racist. Any action that a black person makes that could be perceived racist by a white person is in the end a result of the continued white privilege in this country. There is zero incidence of a white person being thought of as less than human because of the color of their skin. These people are simply trying to support others with similar cultural heritage and to be in that culture, not trying to put down white people.


Duurrr, why's there no WET to go with BET, because everything else is fucking WET.

[KHarvey16]

Racism = Prejudice + Power.

Hmm, my dictionary appears to be broken.

[BobbyRobby]

Not sure if it's actually racist or an "experiment," but it certainly doesn't seem very productive. The best way to do this without being racist is to buy locally and live near the race you most identify with.

i really wish the definition of 'racist' wasn't so twisted.

these people are distinguishing who they buy from based on the factor of race. that is racist. don't know how you could argue otherwise.

whether or not it's right or justified has nothing to do with it.

Racism = Prejudice + Power. Black people cannot be racist. Any action that a black person makes that could be perceived racist by a white person is in the end a result of the continued white privilege in this country. There is zero incidence of a white person being thought of as less than human because of the color of their skin. These people are simply trying to support others with similar cultural heritage and to be in that culture, not trying to put down white people. Duurrr, why's there no WET to go with BET, because everything else is fucking WET.

make up a new word instead of trying to change the meaning of an established one. what's the point of having arguments if no one knows what anyone is saying?

[Coins]

Black people cannot be racist.

I dont really know what to say.

/facepalm

[I AM JOHN!]

What's the point of this?

[SapientWolf]

I think it's both. It's racist, but it may help bring attention to the underlying issues responsible for the lack of black owned businesses (or locally owned, for that matter). However, I don't think that the movement is going to have a major financial impact.

[ghst]

I think supporting a community you belong to is a good idea, but doing so out of spite, or even blindly is dumb.. I support the little mom and pop stores in my area. I can get most things for a bit cheaper in the big stores but I feel good putting money directly into the owner's hands... But it is not a new concept and a lot of people do it, they just aren't writing stories about them.. A lot of the different Asian ethnic communities in Seattle are real good for this as well..

they aren't supporting their community, they're supporting their race.

[doomed1]

this concept is moronic. they can be as stupid and inconvenient with their money as they like, but it gives me the right to judge them as morons. then again anyone doing this will have to be well off, and quite honestly, sensible enough to see its stupidity, or a set of standard suburban morons who think they're doing "the right thing"

says the white boy reclining in the kitchen of a comfortable house in inner city Jersey...

[mAcOdIn]

i really wish the definition of 'racist' wasn't so twisted. these people are distinguishing who they buy from based on the factor of race. that is racist. don't know how you could argue otherwise. whether or not it's right or justified has nothing to do with it.

I think there's levels of racism or perhaps that racist is too big of a word and we need some new ones.

Someone brought up Asian communities for example, while it might be a little "racist" there's something to be said about being able to go to an Asian market and get something you can't get from Wal-Mart, so I do see a thriving minority that's able to have kept hold of it's culture as a plus for everyone.

We robbed the Black people of most of their culture so this social experiment might seems a little boring but that doesn't mean I don't think it should take place. Like I said earlier the ratio is fucked up.

[Mamesj]

this concept is moronic. they can be as stupid and inconvenient with their money as they like, but it gives me the right to judge them as morons. then again anyone doing this will have to be well off, and quite honestly, sensible enough to see its stupidity, or a set of standard suburban morons who think they're doing "the right thing" says the white boy reclining in the kitchen of a comfortable house in inner city Jersey...

Just like rich people who only buy organic foods or from locally owned businesses to increase their smugness, stroke their egos, one up their friends save the environment

[adamsappel]

I'm sure the black owner of the business she shops at doesn't want her to only buy black-owned products.

[BobbyRobby]

I think there's levels of racism or perhaps that racist is too big of a word and we need some new ones. Someone brought up Asian communities for example, while it might be a little "racist" there's something to be said about being able to go to an Asian market and get something you can't get from Wal-Mart, so I do see a thriving minority that's able to have kept hold of it's culture as a plus for everyone. We robbed the Black people of most of their culture so this social experiment might seems a little boring but that doesn't mean I don't think it should take place. Like I said earlier the ratio is fucked up.

as i said, whether it's right or wrong should have no bearing on whether an action is considered racist.

i almost exclusively buy pizza from italians. i'm being racist, but i don't feel guilty about it.

[titiklabingapat]

I was pretty disgusted when I read the story this morning.

[Xeke]

Hmm, my dictionary appears to be broken.

Maybe you should read some philosophy instead. Maybe all of you should read Race Matters by Cornell West and come back, and maybe take a class in it.

Any "racism" that blacks may exhibit is not racism because without the power to go along with it it is nothing but prejudice.

In the same vein, any man who has viewed a woman as purely an object, i.e. porn is a sexist, including myself.

In both scenarios you have a procrustean view of the other person involved, meaning you take that persons identity, conform it to how you think they should be viewed and then return it to them in that state.

[BobbyRobby]

Maybe you should read some philosophy instead. Maybe all of you should read Race Matters by Cornell West and come back, and maybe take a class in it. Any "racism" that blacks may exhibit is not racism because without the power to go along with it it is nothing but prejudice.

you are pre-judging based on race, racism. make up a new word.

even with your wonky definition, blacks can be racist.

what about a white guy who goes to camden and is robbed for being white. in that situation, the blacks are in power. just because one race is in power in our country, doesn't mean they are in power on smaller scales in different communities.

[Cyan]

Just because something involves race doesn't mean it's racist. I guess I don't read this as "boycotting white business" or anything, so much as a social experiment in finding out "can I live my life for a year patronizing only black businesses."

Spot on. It's not racism, it's a social experiment. Nothing to see here.

[KHarvey16]

Maybe you should read some philosophy instead. Maybe all of you should read Race Matters by Cornell West and come back, and maybe take a class in it. Any "racism" that blacks may exhibit is not racism because without the power to go along with it it is nothing but prejudice. In the same vein, any man who has viewed a woman as purely an object, i.e. porn is a sexist, including myself. In both scenarios you have a procrustean view of the other person involved, meaning you take that persons identity, conform it to how you think they should be viewed and then return it to them in that state.

Racism is a word with a definition. These qualifiers you're adding aren't required, even if someone wrote it in their book.

[mAcOdIn]

Maybe you should read some philosophy instead. Maybe all of you should read Race Matters by Cornell West and come back, and maybe take a class in it. Any "racism" that blacks may exhibit is not racism because without the power to go along with it it is nothing but prejudice.

I think that line of thought is pretty ignorant. Like I feel that this new America is looking out for the majority by sacrificing the individual that statement is also only looking out for the majority while ignoring the individual.

I would say that factually your ascertation is wrong and that an individual who is on the receiving end of racism by blacks or any other group for that matter couldn't care less if that same group wasn't able to hold their power over the entirety of his race, it's enough, to him, that he alone is the subject of racism.

[Xeke]

you are pre-judging based on race, racism. make up a new word.

No, because race doesn't exist and it is a made up concept. Race in our society means more than different colored skin and if you think thats all it means than you're just being ignorant. Unless you are willing to deny your white privilege, deny the societal benefits it gains you and deny the benefit of the doubt that it entitles you to than you will be forever stuck in the circle of racism.

If you've ever felt more uncomfortable being around a black man than a white man than you are a racist. Plain and simple. You're not actively being a racist, but you're doing nothing to stem it and because of that you're just as guilty.

I would say that factually your ascertation is wrong and that an individual who is on the receiving end of racism by blacks or any other group for that matter couldn't care less if that same group wasn't able to hold their power over the entirety of his race, it's enough, to him, that he alone is the subject of racism.

Hurling insults at white people doesn't bring the same connotations of less than human, worthless and slavery to light. There is no history of white people being persecuted so if you're really failing to see why black people would be untrustworthy of white people than I don't know what else to say to you. Insults like "nigger" have NO equivalency for white people ZERO, NONE. There is no comparable term.

[besada]

This is no different than the Christian Yellow Pages that you can find, or the Gay Yellow Pages.

I'll gladly admit that if you published a "White Yellow Pages" listing only white business owners, people would be incredibly offended. That's the price of being the oppressive majority, I suppose.

I try to always buy local, but since my area is very mixed, I put money into the pockets of people of many different races.