News

The Montgomery Bus Boycott, $1.2 Trillion and Reparations

Published

5 years ago

August 2, 2019

From 1955 to 1956, African Americans boycotting bus segregation in the city of Montgomery, Ala., sent a message to white Nationalists that said, “we used money to get your attention.”

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a successful enterprise that put on full display the influence of the African American dollar. It has been suggested that the boycott cost the city of Montgomery $3,000 per day. At the time of the boycott, African Americans made up about 45% of the population. When we add that 75% of patrons who rode the buses were African Americans, not only were city coffers being hurt, but local businesses were being hurt because African Americans were finding other things to do with their money, which was a benefit to every individual Black family.

According to statistica.com, 8% African Americans are considered wealthy. If you want a number, look at Goldman Sachs entry level, which is $5,000,000.00.

If you have a net worth of around that figure, you are probably considered among America’s wealthiest. However, if 8% of African Americans are considered wealthy, that leaves 92% of us outside of the construct of privilege.

In an essay from fortune.com, a Nielsen report said, In the report “Black Dollars Matter: The Sales Impact of Black Consumers,” the message is clear: While African Americans make up just 14% of the population, we are responsible for some $1.2 trillion in purchases annually.” That is roughly 9% of all consumer spending in America.

So while 92% of us are not wealthy, we generate considerable wealth by our spending habits. In other words, we continue to contribute to the U.S. economy at a very high rate and in a way that would not exist if we were not here.

So, when we talk about reparations, we are not talking about something that is impossible. And just in case I have some Bible readers out there, Matthew records Jesus saying, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was quoted as saying, “Lightning makes no sound until it strikes.”

When it comes to reparations, lightning must strike! It will not be a logical discussion for white Nationalist, because they feel that they are the targets of a new form of racism.

This is nothing more than a form of cognitive dissonance, because the guilt of slavery has scarred their souls. America needs to submit to the concept of reparations, and not the reparations that have not helped Native Americans. No matter how you see it, $1.2 trillion dollars is a lot of money, isn’t it?

Rev. Curtis O. Robinson, Sr.

Posts by Rev. Curtis O. Robinson, Sr.

Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

4 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.