"It's Not Racial Barriers That Keep Blacks From Prospering."

Reprinted on the web from Issues & Views, Summer 1991; introductory comments added ^ | December 6, 1963 | SB Fuller (with commentary by Luke Skyfreeper)

[cyborg]

Distilled down into basic elements....

Get up off your a$$ and stop whinig and work like you mean it, save your money, invest and be a productive citizen.

Hey EVERYONE needs to do that IMHO

[cyborg]

whinig=whining

There is no excuse for people not be a success in the year 2003 in America.

[cyborg]

bc ping

I think this article is a bit outdated. I don't think black people should only be thinking about selling in 'their own community'. I do not see anything stopping any black person from doing what Donald Trump does. That may sound indealistic but America was built on idealism anyway.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

There are always excuses, and even reasons not to be a success; but here's the point:

If SB Fuller could achieve success -- even megasuccess -- then neither racial discrimination, nor disadvantage, nor poverty, nor lack of education, nor lack of resources, nor hard economic times, can ultimately hinder you if you take charge of your own life and diligently do the right things.

[BadAndy]

The prosperity of a community is proportional to the extent to which it embraces capitalism. The silly negros reject everything that leads to prosperity.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Certainly, I agree with you. It must be viewed as a historical document. In SB Fuller's day, even for black people to run businesses providing goods and services to black people was to be seen as a great challenge. He mentions that in all of New York City, there were no more than 10 black-owned businesses that employed more than 10 people.

Today the challenges are different, and the success that can be envisioned is a much greater level of success. Why don't we have more black people who have achieved success at the level of Donald Trump? Why have we never yet had a black President or Vice-President of the United States? I'll give you a hint: Although racial prejudice still exists, the real reason is not racism.

The other value is in the lesson: if SB Fuller could achieve success, anybody can.

By the way, I'll make a prediction: The first black President of the United States will be a conservative.

[liberallarry]

ping

[cyborg]

ABSOLUTELY... If anyone had a reason to whine it would have been him. Yet I never hear these people whining. I meet a lot of old black people from the South who don't whine. They're just happy to see things different. I think of my parents who came hear with nothing and made it. They make me feel guilty for whining, which I find myself doing sometimes.

[cyborg]

You are being sarcastic right?

[TheWiz999]

This article really hits the nail. I've grown up near black neighborhoods and I notice more and more asians control all the retail locations. They barely speak english but they work hard, save money, work harder, save money, and eventually buy a business and prosper. Most asians in these communities all drive luxury cars and send their kids to a good college.
The black people I know generally don't have business sense. They think the only way to make money is to be an entertainer, athlete, lottery or by suing someone.
I know some of you will say I'm racist. But I'm also a minority (hispanic) and only white men can be racist remember?
This is a general statement. I'm sure there are a few unique cases where black people move up through hard work and saving, (I know a few) but I'm afraid thats becoming increasingly rare.
Maybe thats the only way Democrats can keep blacks in their party, by keeping them poor. Rich blacks (or those on their way) eventually leave the party, don't care about politics or become repubs.

[wizardoz]

By the way, I'll make a prediction: The first black President of the United States will be a conservative.

Yes, she probably will be. ;^)

[kidd]

I grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota about a mile from where the Twins played baseball. Our only black neighbors were on the baseball team (Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Zolio Versallies). They, and their kids, were motivated and talented. They remained "black", but fit in well with everyone else. And they lived well.

I went to Andover for prep school. The year I took SATs there were two perfect SATs - both by black students.

I work with several blacks. Nobody considers them to be lazy or some sort of "Uncle Tom". They do their job.

I do not know of any blacks who are held back by racism. Nor do I know of any blacks that can attribute their successes to preference.

[cyborg]

Same here. I know so many black people like that. Makes me wonder where the libs find these people.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Yes, she probably will be. ;^)

If you're referring to Condoleezza, she would certainly be a prime candidate for first African-American President of the United States, as well as first female President of the United States... except from what I've read, I don't think she wants the job.

Now if she wanted the job...

[BadAndy]

I am not being sarcastic at all. Groups that reject capitalism (socialists, communists, etc.) and depend on wealth redistribution, govt largess, and social programs do poorly. Do you disagree?

[cyborg]

The prosperity of a community is proportional to the extent to which it embraces capitalism. The silly negros reject everything that leads to prosperity.

***I disagree with you severely. I question why you choose to say 'silly negroes' and just thought you were being sarcastic but you really are a narrow minded jackass who knows nothing about black people or people in general.

[dogbyte12]

Echo on your comments. I grew up in Southern California near alot of boat people from Vietnam. Some kids came over here at the age of ten, with nothing but the clothes on their back, and no english.

Their parents busted their asses, made them study, pick up the language immediately, and my high school valedictorian was a boat kid who had only been in the country for 6 years, and she spoke no english when she arrived.

I am guessing that she is doing quite nicely for herself right now.

Another point. Black kids in the Bahamas average, yes average, 1200 points on the SAT's. They take them over there as well. They have outdated textbooks, less than $1,500 per student, yet they seem to be doing ok.

I get pissed off at the racists who think that blacks are genetically inferior, and that is why they flop, or the blacks who think the system is all gamed against them.

Both groups of people are full of crap. The problem is black american culture. Period. Kids are ashamed to do well, more often than not, don't have an intact family, and watch 3 hours more tv per day, than any other racial group. That is why they are not succeeding like recent immigrant groups like asians are.

Where I live, we have these "academies". Asian kids go to public school, then after that is done, they go to an intensive learning academy 2-3 hours after regular school every day, and then half days on saturdays. If black parents yanked the cable tv, and put money into sending their kids into extra schooling like this, surprise surprise, their kids would be doing better.

It is a very hot button issue for me. Nobody has the integrity on the left to say this to one of their key constituencies, and most on the right, are either fairly/unfairly tarred with racist attitudes.

We really need somebody like Jack Kemp, and a moderate black democrat to start up a foundation to push values that will further black kids towards success.

It is no good to just shrug our collective shoulders and just write off all these people. It is in our own economic self interest to have each american succeed to the best of their God given abilities. That means more taxpayers, less people draining the public dole. Our collective tax rate would go down dramatically because of this. It is a crying shame that we haven't declared a war on values, just like we declare a war on drugs, crime, poverty, etc..

If not now, when?

[BadAndy]

I suspect SB Fuller would agree that it is silly (he might use stronger language) for blacks (negros) not to take advantage of capitalism to become prosperous. That was the premise of the article, that many in the black community have fooled themselves into believing that racial barriers are causing their problems. I agree.

Silly negros is a pretty mild term to get upset about. I guess you think negros can't be silly. What is so offensive? The term negro? Maybe you're just being silly.

[river rat]

"Nor do I know of any blacks that can attribute their successes to preference."

One prime example you may be familiar with.. Chief Moose, of Washington Metropolitan Area "Sniper" fame...

Granted, there were not many "successes" in his career - but clearly a strong candidate for having achieved his level of "accomplishment" with "preferences" strongly indicated...

Check out his history in Google and cringe....near your old hometown - Minneapolis has him on the short list for new Police Chief..

If Minneapolis hires this certifiable turkey, with his history - they deserve him..

Semper Fi