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It's not like all white people have their thing together. It's no secret that millions of them are in the same category as black folk, struggling to get ahead. And a whole lot of them are worse off that Blacks who have reached some degree of success. It's really about elitism and oligarphy. About wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few who exploit the masses. Yes, white skin is a pass port to opportunity, but it can only take you so far. In reality, true equality has never existed in the world, and traits like honesty and integrity don't necessarily reward you with success. The law of the jungle still pervades human civilization. And rugged individualism has to be fortified with ruthlessness and driven by greed. Luck also plays a role. Life is a bitch. Black folks lost Africa to foreign invaders and they've been struggling ever since. Unity is a pipe dream when skin color is too often the only thing groups have in common. It's a cruel world

There are Black majority cities in America like Atlanta, Detroit, Baltimore, and even Jackson Mississippi. What if Black politicians at the municipal level began working with wealthy black entrepreneurs to develop and diversity local economies especially disadvantaged neighborhoods ? Think about it. What if we pooled public and private resources to replicate what Geoffrey Canada did with the Harlem Children's Zone in New York City ? After all a good start early in life in a livable environment comes before any kind of academic achievement or entrepreneurial success. Right? Secondly, what if black business people and politicians formed public/private partnerships to seek out new sources of investment like Chinese, Middle Eastern, and West African ? Third, maybe we need real democracy in black politics which means independent thought and action that challenges the Black Democratic Leadership Establishment. I'm not saying move to the Republican Right. But demand more from our so called leaders. If you can't provide viable solutions to problems like crime, violence, poverty, academic failure, and the racial wealth gap then you get voted out. So what's keeping us from doing these things ? 1. We don't live together and aren't forced to work and strive together inspite of our class, political, or status differences the way Jim Crow and DeFacto residential segregation forced us too. 2. Middle and upper income blacks have their own priorities even among individuals that differ from poor and workingclass blacks. Race, blackness, and struggling against racism don't matter as much anymore or in the same way to all black people. 3. Black business and professional people aren't necessarily always concerned with advancing black people collectively. Elected officials and political insiders often benefit themselves and their cronies. And the Black Capitalist is no different from the white one if he's a major player. The Black Capitalist is about maximizing profit. They only help other blacks if there's money to be made. So this is my non expert take on things.

@umbrarchistIn the context of what I'm claiming, "getting ahead" is about coming from behind your loser life. It's not about completing with others; it's about competing with poverty.

I think you make a good point. However Americans won't do anything about gross economic inequality and oligarchy unless they recognize these are systemic not individual problems. Moreover until they believe politics and government can advance the public good, it will be business as usual.

That rainbow hair-lined clown better leave my girl alone....lol. I like Rep. Crockett! Not only is she beautiful and very feminine, but she's VERY smart and articulate and knows how to get her point across. I don't agree with some of her political views. Especially with regard to immigration. But I agree with more of her views than less. They need to protect this beautiful sista.