2009-04-28
Buying Black
Is this racist? This couple has attempted to shop black for a year. Some say it is racist, but is it really. How many times do whites, blacks, and other races shop white exclusively and just not know it. How many times have you met a person who won't shop in "certain area of towns", which usually mean "ethnic"? How many times have you heard the stereotypes that most black businesses are too high, have bad customer service, and are low class.
In terms of myself, I don't shop exclusively black, but I will say that I in terms of my hair care products, I usually go to black owned companies to buy my stuff. I did this after learning about the exclusion of other races from the Korean dominated black beauty supply industry. I was in awe that black people could and would be excluded from a business which the primary demographic is black women, and I decided to support black businesses, whose primary demographic were for people of color with "ethnic" hair textures, as most big companies who do tend to have "ethnic" hair care products tend to have products that focus on straightening ethnic hair, not managing or styling the hair in a natural state, and since I am a natural head, I really don't need a relaxer or the products that go with it.
So is supporting a black business racist? Do you think white folks could or would support a black business in a black part of town?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
25 comments:
It's not racist, its an experiment to demonstrate that black owned buisness are not inferior to other buisness. I also try to buy black hair products, its infuriating that black entrepeneurs are cheated out of the market when it comes to hair products and can't sell their products to their own people. appalling. also wp buy white all the time, even without knowing it, asian people do it, indian people do it, jewish people do it, why is it racist or black people to do it? what is wrong with supporting your own first when everyone else does it?
I mean if a white person came on the radio and said "i'm only going to buy white or support white owned buisness..." its like you already do that, so what's new???
no it is not racist and the rush to integrate is what has destroyed vibrant predominately black small businesses
most other races in America deliberately avoid predominately black residential and business areas
In high school I was friends with a white/latino girl and her white mother refused to let her go to the East side of town. In Cleveland downtown is technically the east side because it is east of the Cuyahoga river. So this girl was never allowed to go to the mall downtown even though it was on a direct bus town. If we wanted to see a movie together we had to go to the western suburb of Parma (nicknamed Klan land).
Well I recently met up with this friend and she now works in downtown Cleveland. When I pointed out to her that she was never allowed there growing up she now claims that downtown is not the East side and she still refuses to go to the East side (see how she redrew the boundary).
FYI in Cleveland all of the major cultural institutions are on the East side. The Art museum, Children's Museum, Natural History Museum, Health Museum, Botanical Garden, Orchestra, best hospital system (Cleveland Clinic), Carnegie built Library and most prestigious university in the area (CWRU) ALL ARE ON THE EAST SIDE and I don't mean the suburbs, they are in the city of Cleveland. This girl has not been to any of these places unless she went on a school field trip but even those require parental permission. Because this girl (Sandra Bullock look alike)has a Puerto Rican father she has relatives that are as much African as I am yet she has been raised to be terrified of black neighborhoods and not to frequent the businesses/cultural institutions in the area no matter what the quality. I met one of her cousins, he is darker than half my family!
In matters of determining true racism intent cannot be ignored.
ie. if someone buys exclusively white by default, or because that is what is convenient, that is not inherantly racist on the part of the consumer (leaving zoning and history and all that out as most are ignorant of those things).
buying all black to prove lack of inferiority or to show support is not racist either, it is supportive.
avoiding black business because it is black or because of percieved inferiority is rooted in racism, conscious or not.
avoiding white business because whites are all evil and oppressors is innacurate and rooted in racism as well.
on this note I might add I was forced for a time (by geography) to frequent black barbershops and hairstylists. I have never recieved so many jacked up haircuts in my life. One bad cut was due to spite, all the others were simple lack of experience. I now use the litmus test of thinning shears. If you don't know what they are or have not used them on someone in the past month, you are not touching my head.
I don't think it's racist to support black owned businesses. I make a point of supporting small businesses over big box stores.
You couldn't drag me into a Wal-Mart. I earn my money and I choose where I want to spend it.If someone wants to support a black owned business to level the playing ground, so be it.
Now, having said that, I've visited SOME black establishments and dealt with the "bad service" stuff that is the stereotype. Stereotypes are usually steeped in some sort of truth, even if it isn't across the board.
For instance, black hair salons. If I have an appointment for 2:00 that means I want to be serviced at 2:00 - not 4:00. And I don't want to hear the stylist's baby daddy drama while she talks on her cell phone and does my hair.
Again, I know this isn't all black establishments, but when you've had that at several, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
The word "racist/racism" is thrown around so frequently that it's become difficult to define what is racism and who is a racist. Shopping at a black business, going to a black church, or going to a black hair salon if you are black is not a racist act. It is about choice. It's like calling me a racist because I refuse to go to a Dominican or White salon to get my hair done. I can choose to do whatever I want. I can choose to support Wal-Mart or the local boutique I have shopped at for years. It's my choice how I spend my hard-earned money. If spending it at a black business will better the community then that's what I'm going to do.
This kind of categorisation really pisses me off. It's like Fox News saying that Oprah Winfrey is racist because she went to an all-black church? WTF? Anyway, what this couple is doing is really good. I have stopped going to the Korean beauty store by my house(they don't even hire blacks to work in the store). So I guess i'm doing my part.
Hmmm. As far as whites going into only white-owned stores and not knowing it, I think that's different from shopping in a white-owned store and intentionally not going to black-owned businesses. As far as I'm concerned, I just go to a store that provides good products and customer service, period.
I refuse to shop at korean ran beauty supply stores, I hate the atmosphere and can't believe they are making big bucks off of black folks hair. I go to walmart, walgreens or Sally's and order from Kinky Curly. I don't know how we let this happen, dont get me started.
Heck, I always want folks to buy black. What's so wrong with it? I own a
black biz. In the very beginning other black people seemed skeptical
and went to the white guy down the street to pay more for less. Every
other race supported me in my initial stages. When black folk saw what I did for others, then (and only then) they did business with me...but with the attitude that they should pay less. This (recession) year, I don't have any black clients. It worries me that I've either priced them out or they're not getting hitched. But I will say that my black clients have referred me to others more than other group, and they tend to spend more too.
Personally, I will go where there is good customer serivice. My shopping expereinces in America have been terrible. And like I mentioned before, I have only 4 stores I get my necesseties from. I can go there without fear of being treated like a criminal.
Funny enough, some of the mistreatment I got from stores was from Blacks. There is this woman at Target that I first encountered about 4 years ago. She works at the dressing rooms counter. First time she looked at me suspisciously and visually inspected me to make sure I wasn't sneaking in any clothes she hadn't countered. She always gave me the suspiscious looks everytime I wanted to try something on. 4 years later, I still go to the clearance racks, I have moved up job wise and she is still there counting clothes. I never spoke to her or objected to the way she treated me. I just look at her and she seems to have calmed down now.
If this is the kind of treatement I will receive from a Black business store, then I won't go there.
I encounter black businesses (if I can call them that) at farmer's markets. When I get an attitude, I move on.
To me blackness is not enough to win my patronage.
The idea this guy is trying out is noble but the businesses like others have to go out and work hard to attract Black patrons.
Brohammas sd:
"buying all black to prove lack of inferiority or to show support is not racist either, it is supportive.
avoiding black business because it is black or because of percieved inferiority is rooted in racism, conscious or not.
avoiding white business because whites are all evil and oppressors is innacurate and rooted in racism as well."And that's exactly all there is to it. I also agree with Grata that blackness or being any race for that matter shouldn't be enough to win anyone's patronage. Good service is.
It's funny, but the perception that I grew up with from my parents-- my Dad especially, was that Black owned businesses were inferior to White businesses because they think they can get away with more serving the Black community. These were people who grew up during Jim Crow and they had this attitude. I learned that you patronize the businesses who treat you with respect. I won't shop in a store where I'm being followed or treated like I can't afford anything in there.
Why would anybody support black owned businesses? Blacks make all crap. All black stores are in the ghetto. I don't want to get shot picking up a loaf of bread. I love Ralph Lauren. His clothes have more class then that ghetto shit.
Why would anybody support black owned businesses? Blacks make all crap. All black stores are in the ghetto. I don't want to get shot picking up a loaf of bread. I love Ralph Lauren. His clothes have more class then that ghetto shit.
I'm enlightened by your stupidity.
Anyways, yes I support black owned businesses. I've come across some businesses with really great services. It depends on the individual. You are going to run in with some that are great and some that are not so great. However that is with anyone regardless.
Anon sd:
"Why would anybody support black owned businesses? Blacks make all crap. All black stores are in the ghetto. I don't want to get shot picking up a loaf of bread. I love Ralph Lauren. His clothes have more class then that ghetto shit."Crap starter! You just want to create controversy don't you?
This is OUTSTANDING. And quite honestly the black dudes market looked spick an span! I would shop there in heart beat. I am about quality not quantity.
Anyways I am all about freedom of choice, and if the black family wants to support only black owned businesses then more power to them.
My question is this. Is is OK for a black owned business to only provide service to black clientele?
@ Brohammas: The best haircut of my life came from a black barber in Quantico VA, the bad news was I had since learned to cut my own hair from his advise.
"Why would anybody support black owned businesses? Blacks make all crap. All black stores are in the ghetto. I don't want to get shot picking up a loaf of bread. I love Ralph Lauren. His clothes have more class then that ghetto shit."
Jovent,
Long time. Still don't feel white enough yet?
thelady-
I'm a native Clevelander as well...grew up in Glenville (after moving from Hough):)
I tend to do this when buying hair products.
I think the is a basic and simple reason it is not racist. As a consumer a person has the full right to buy from whom they want. There is no law that consumers must spread their purchasing power to the ends of the earth. If a person feels that a particular seller warrents their purchase they should buy from said person, if that what they want. Regardless of what people want to call it it is a free market.
Anon 28th 3:19 and Ehav-
YEs it is your choice to shop or buy as you like but that is in no way a defense against racism. Many defend discrimination as freedom of choice, a school can choose to admit who they like, I can choose who I serve in my resteraunt, choose from whom I buy, etc etc.
In that vain choosing to do business with someone BECAUSE of race can be extreme racism on its surface so if one is to argue it is not racism you cannot rely on choice.. its motivation that counts, or the "why" you make the specific choice.
Caspers back!?! Sweet.
don't I recall your haircut being more the cue ball style and your talking about good haircuts??
I didn't say black guys can't give me a good cut, I'm just sayin no matter your race, you arent touching my head without passing the thinning shear test. I'm just sayin'.
Anon 28th 3:19 and Ehav-
YEs it is your choice to shop or buy as you like but that is in no way a defense against racism. Many defend discrimination as freedom of choice, a school can choose to admit who they like, I can choose who I serve in my resteraunt, choose from whom I buy, etc etc.
In that vain choosing to do business with someone BECAUSE of race can be extreme racism on its surface so if one is to argue it is not racism you cannot rely on choice.. its motivation that counts, or the "why" you make the specific choice.
Caspers back!?! Sweet.
don't I recall your haircut being more the cue ball style and your talking about good haircuts??
I didn't say black guys can't give me a good cut, I'm just sayin no matter your race, you arent touching my head without passing the thinning shear test. I'm just sayin'.
@anon 10am. I think anytime it looks like black people are trying to make our community better it is a threat to alot of white people for some reason. I guess they think if we show strength in our own communities that we will try and destroy theirs which is nutty. It seems to me it adds to the economy. They would rather cut off their noses despite their face. In the past blacks set up our own communities and were very prosperous. This is in the early part of the 20th century. What happened, white people destroyed them. They hated the idea of black people being successful. So if we do well then we are condemened if we don't do well we are condemned. It must feel good to white people to be consumed with so much hatred and insecurity.
Brohammas Wrote:YEs it is your choice to shop or buy as you like but that is in no way a defense against racism. Many defend discrimination as freedom of choice, a school can choose to admit who they like, I can choose who I serve in my resteraunt, choose from whom I buy, etc etc.
In that vain choosing to do business with someone BECAUSE of race can be extreme racism on its surface so if one is to argue it is not racism you cannot rely on choice.. its motivation that counts, or the "why" you make the specific choice.
Ehav's ResponseGreetings. I disagree with you on this. At the most choosing to buy based on a set of classifications of the seller is a preference. If it is SOLELY based on a false misconception of the seller, and not the actual products, then this can be called prejudice.
All consumerism is prejudiced in one thing or another. If choosing to consume based on race is racist, trying to convince someone to buy based on race should be just as racist. So by like token African American businesses that try to convince African Americans to buy predominately or completely African American would also be racist.
A person who goes into business has to understand the market that they are trying to sell to, and possible make adjustments based on the reality of that market. A good example of this is the story of Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr. inventor of the espiratory protective hood (similar to the modern gas masks), invented a hair-straightening preparation, and patented a type of traffic signal. When he first started to try and seel his espiratory protective hood most of the whites he encountered would not buy from him. Realizing the reality of the market he hired a white man to his front man (giving the impression that he worked for the man, even though he was in fact the boss). His business improved due to his knowledge of he market.
If choice in consumerism based on race is racist then it should, by like token be legistlated as illegal. The inverse i.e. trying to convince a buyer to buy from a buyer based on racial lines should also be just as illegal.
Preventing a person from being able to enter the market (for reasons of race), unlawfully sabotaging a person's consumerism (for reasons of race), and actively trying to make a business fail (based on race) to ME is racism. All of these things can be legislated and are unethical business practice.
Having a list of requirements before a person buys from someone to me is not racist. It is either preference based or prejudiced consumerism. It doesn't matter why a person consumes one way or another, and on some level unless the person is 100% honest about their personal reasons the whys are not obvious to begin with.
Post a Comment