The 7 Point Plan
Building Unity in the Black Community
According to Swahili culture, “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” It is time we become those sticks.
I want to start by acknowledging that being Black in America can be exhausting. Yes, I said it because it’s true. Not only do they have to deal with the latest medical pandemic, but also have the added worry of being gunned down by radical extremists.
On top of confrontation with racial issues we often have to deal with individuals who look like us in a battle of the universe to reserve our place in the world. Enough is enough! We can’t continue fighting each other when there is bigger fish to fry. It’s time to unite and conquer the antiquated enemy known as racism.
In order to comprehend, you must identify problem areas: Black people diseases, inequality in the court of law, neglect & abuse in the homelife which result in mental imbalances carried from previous generations, and unequal distribution of wealth within the economy. Disparity of wealth and health negatively impact communities of color with homicide identified as the leading cause of mortality for younger Black males.
Black America in general disproportionately show higher death rates through heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, homicide, stroke, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. Reports show racial bias may cause doctors to spend less time with Black patients validating a common trend among African Americans.
Serena Williams after giving birth in 2018 told her doctors she felt short of breath. Knowing her body and medical history, the tennis star continued to advocate for her doctor to pay attention to her concern which in turn probably saved her life.
In a story to the Huff Post, Serena reports “the doctors are not listening to us.” Unfortunately, this type of doctor-patient relationship happens frequently between African Americans and their health care provider.
Ironically not only are health trends noticeably suspicious for people of color, but the equal distribution of wealth compared to other races is staggering.
A July 2019 report by Black Enterprise states the net worth for African Americans may fall to zero by 2053. The net worth is the value of all assets minus the total of all liabilities.
Black Enterprise Magazine states, “to build wealth your income has to grow faster than the economy.” If the economy is growing at 3%, you have to earn 6% to build wealth.”
The estimate median wealth of Black households in 2018 was $41,361 while median White household wealth was $70,642. Asians were at the top of the list earning $87,194, followed by Hispanics at $51,450.
As you can see African Americans were the lowest wage earners in 2018.
It’s time to practice a unified agenda and stop looking for others to fix the problem. Black communities have been waiting 400+ years for equal rights and unless they move different, they will never see the change needed to improve Black viability.
The Seven Point Plan
- Obtain Life Insurance, preferably Whole Life. Put Value on Your Life.
Life insurance not only protects your family against poverty during the loss of a loved one, but it also has the potential to alleviate wealth disparities among African Americans. Whole Life insurance in contrast to Term Life has cash value. There are two components to Whole Life. The first is the face value or the amount paid to your beneficiaries when you die. The second is the cash value. Your cash value is a savings account that’s funded by a portion of your premiums.
2. Get married. Two incomes are better than one. Support systems are essential. Find your Adam or your Eve and get money together.
Two wage earners are present in most White families, with Asian and Hispanic cultures reporting up to three or more wage earners per house.
3. Purchase a gun.
Every American has a right to protect their family against intruders or perceived threat of bodily harm or death.
4. Improve your credit score
Poor credit scores result in a circle of poverty leading to the Robbing Peter to pay Paul Syndrome. Build your credit. Build your wealth. Decrease your liabilities increase your net worth.
5. Support Black Owned Business
Not only are you doing your due diligence, but you are also expanding African American wealth. Keep your community prosperous. Stop the crab in the bucket syndrome.
6. Celebrate African Culture, Know Your History
Unlike Asian or Hispanic culture, African Americans are reluctant to celebrate holidays that pertain to their culture. A few holidays to consider, Juneteenth, sometimes referred as Freedom Day or Independence Day, is the day all United States territories were emancipated from slavery as it pertained to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
The Haitian Revolution, the only successful slave revolt lead by Toussaint Louverture occurred when Haiti won their freedom from the French Colony.
Kwanzaa an African American celebration of life occurs annually from December to January. Celebrate it!
7. Answer the call
Every African American should take a stand against economic disparity and the slaughter of African Americans within the United States. Speak out. Speak up. Speak often until they get tired of hearing it.
Roughly 12.5 million Africans were transported to America to make the United States great. No rest, no choice, no reward.
Four hundred + years later Black America is still at the bottom of the economic pool, still fighting for equality, still lynched. In response form a neighborhood watch. Get to know your neighbors. Be responsible for your neighborhood. If you see anything suspicious call the news, report it to the local authorities. Documentation is key.
You may be driving and see a person of color pulled over by the police, stop to ensure the person is treated fairly. If you suspect the officer may be using excessive force, record the event and call the news.
Every African American is obligated to answer the call. Charity begins at home. One’s first responsibility is for the needs of one’s own family and friends.
