Beautiful People know True Beauty is Natural.

[Troy]

I pasted the quote in the title of this post from the opening line of the video (below).

 

George E. Johnson, founder of Afro Sheen, was at one time the richest Black man in America.  His memoir came out a month ago, but I only learned about the book today.  The video is quaint, but endearing, nonetheless. 

 

Afro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street by George E. Johnson

 

[Pioneer1]

Thanks Troy

No lie....
That video was VERY educating and inspiring.

But also it was slightly....just slightly....saddening; because it makes me wonder what happened in our community that we don't hear stories like Mr. Johnson's today.

I often wonder what it would have been like if I were born....say around 1920 or 1930...and lived in Chicago, Detroit, or Philly at that time. 
What would I have done seeing so many Black businesses on the rise?
Would I be part of them?
Would I be a factory or mill worker?

That Black family was solidly intact at that time also.

[Troy]

14 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

what happened in our community that we don't hear stories like Mr. Johnson's today.

 

Exactly -- and the Brother is still among the living!

 

Little, Brown and Company, did publish the book.  I only discovered it because it is #32 on my monthly National Bestsellers list. That list is not public yet but I'm working on it.

[Pioneer1]

If he's still alive then we should give him his flowers NOW.

I predict that in the very near future people are going to start not only planning but HAVING their own funerals while they're still living just to see the event, then go off to a quiet place and die.
 

[Troy]

On the TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm, they did a segment where some guy had his funeral while he was still alive. Needless to say it did not go well.

 

 

[ProfD]

It is our responsibility as Black folks to recognize pioneers and trailblazers past up to present and pass that information to the next generation. 

 

Black folks have had access to all types of media i.e. print, music, TV, film, etc. for a long time now.   

 

IMO, the 1970s was a brief moment in time when Black Power, Pride and Culture was most strongly celebrated among AfroAmericans (FBA/ADOS). It was reflected in everything AfroAmericans did...politics, sports, music, fashion, etc.

 

There is no excuse for failing to document and keep up with Black history.  Especially in the age of the internet where knowledge and information can be compiled and disseminated very quickly.

 

If accomplished and successful Black folks do not get their flowers while they are still living, it is our own fault.  No excuses.

[Pioneer1]

6 hours ago, ProfD said:

 

IMO, the 1970s was a brief moment in time when Black Power, Pride and Culture was most strongly celebrated among AfroAmericans (FBA/ADOS). It was reflected in everything AfroAmericans did...politics, sports, music, fashion, etc.

I'm so proud of that era.
....especially when I look at Black people from other parts of the world like Africans, who DID NOT have "Black Pride" or "Black Power" movement.

Many of them are still stuck in colorism and self-hatred.
I remember back in the 80s and 90s and early 2000s when colorism was almost non-existent in the AfroAmerican community.

If it's creeping back up again, it's not from us....but from OTHER people of color who are bringing it here and it an applying it to many in our community.

 

[ProfD]

26 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

I'm so proud of that era.

It was a moment in time.  I doubt that it will ever come back.  AfroAmericans have been too *diluted* on several levels.

 

26 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Many of them are still stuck in colorism and self-hatred.
I remember back in the 80s and 90s and early 2000s when colorism was almost non-existent in the AfroAmerican community.

The Willie Lynch letter from slavery up through integration did a bang up job on AfroAmericans.

 

Colorism and self-hatred and other ills have always been cancerous among our people.

 

26 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

If it's creeping back up again, it's not from us....but from OTHER people of color who are bringing it here and it an applying it to many in our community.

The only way like-minded AfroAmericans can avoid being poisoned further is 1) leaning how to love ourselves,  2) taking better care of each other and 3) accepting the fact that we have no friends among other groups of people,

[Pioneer1]

I think the ADOS and now the more refined FBA movement is headed in the right direction and will make our identity stronger and better.

I think colorism COULD be an issue in some pro-FBA circles.
Featurism seems to be.
A common insult is calling someone African or non-FBA because of their hairline...lol.
Other than that.....
I see a resurgence of Black Americans taking pride in themselves and our culture thanks to the efforts of Tariq Nasheed, Phil Scott, and others.


As far as not having friends among other groups......
I look at it as less about friendship and more of an alliance.

If we prove to these other groups that we have something of benefit to offer them, I think they will come running to us offering friendship and alliance politically and socially.
And ofcourse we can get what we need and want from them as we see fit.

[ProfD]

17 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

As far as not having friends among other groups......
I look at it as less about friendship and more of an alliance.

Correct. Strategic alliances are far more beneficial and productive.

17 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

If we prove to these other groups that we have something of benefit to offer them, I think they will come running to us offering friendship and alliance politically and socially.

People don't have to prove anything if they can produce tangibles worthy of running to and/or building strategic alliances.

 

As soon as FBA/ADOS have it on and popping, generating products, goods and services for consumption, other groups of people will want to do business with us and make money too.

 

17 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

And ofcourse we can get what we need and want from them as we see fit.

Sure. It's easier to buy, sell and trade when one produces things of value to others.

[Pioneer1]

ProfD

Correct. Strategic alliances are far more beneficial and productive.
 

Exactly.
We are WE getting out of the relationship?

We don't need more competition here in America; so if more people are coming...we need to make sure they have something to offer US (AfroAmericans) when they get here.


 

As soon as FBA/ADOS have it on and popping, generating products, goods and services for consumption, other groups of people will want to do business with us and make money too.

Sure. It's easier to buy, sell and trade when one produces things of value to others
 

This is true also.
I witnessed it first hand growing up and seeing how SUCCESSFUL Black businesses often attracted a variety of people from all racial and cultural backgrounds.
If they produced quality products and ensured the goods/services were issued in a timely manner, it was if race wasn't even an issue for their customers.

Infact, I've even witnessed SOME non-Black people....not a too many...but some...actually go out of their way TO patronize Black businesses if they found one that was very successful with great service/produce.
It was as if they were so amazed at Black people being so on-point that they had to keep coming back and checking them out.