"Teaching Little Brown Babies"

There was an article in The New York Times on Saturday that I just have to talk about and perhaps get your comments and impressions.

"To Court Blacks, Foes of Abortion Make Racial Case."click here

I was intrigued, not by the highly personal and morally difficult pro-choice/pro-life debate, but by the suggestion that Blacks are like lemmings - in need of a savior to "guide" and "rescue" them from the perils of an evil world...and their own ignorance.

As described in the article,"the largely white staff" of the anti-abortion group in Georgia had a light bulb moment.

The "idea" was to link a fact

(disproportionately high number of Black women have abortions)

with a theory

(there is a decades old conspiracy to kill off Blacks)

so that African-American women will know "the truth."

Brilliant marketing - Yes?

Just pit Black against White and and throw the fear of racial genocide into the mix.

Of course, the fact that these new "outreach" saviors (oops, I meant anti-abortion leaders) had a few abortions themselves is irrelevant to these sisters of mercy.

I smirked and thought of a line from the film, Murder On the Orient Express.

Responding to Inspector Poirot's wily interrogation, the seemingly meek Swedish missionary, Greta (played by Ingrid Bergman, who won an Oscar), said with deep humility:

"I work in Africa...as missionary - teaching little brown babies more backward than myself."

Good Hair

On February 25, 2009 I sent an email that contained the following text to friends, clients and co-workers.

It also included the link below.


A co-worker recently asked me,
“What is with your obsession with hair, barber shops and beauty parlors?”

Obsession? No.
Fascination? Yes!

The answer is steeped in both African-American cultural and marketing identity.
Did any of you, outside of Carol Sagers, know that the Black-hair industry is a $9 billion business?

That is $9 billion with a “b!”

I recently had the opportunity to view a new (not-yet-released) documentary from Chris Rock called “Good Hair.”

This term is all too familiar to African-Americans and, in the hands of Rock, one can well imagine what he reveals on the subject…with both humor, informative insight and candid style.

From frank discussions about relaxer (“creamy crack”), the Bronner Brothers Hair Show and their “Hair Battle Royale,” weaves, jheri curls, wigs and finger waves, “Good Hair” explores the financial ramifications of an industry that is fueled by African-Americans.

I walked away from the film further convinced that, even in the midst of economic challenges, (and in some cases, hardship), African-Americans buy what they want…all marketers have to do is provide them with compelling reasons to select their brand and/or product.

On February 23 "Good Hair" was released on DVD.
...and the Black Hair care industry is still a $9 billion (and growing!!) business.

Sticks and stones and a few words about the "N" word...

What image comes to mind when you hear the word "nigger?"

Think about it.

After all, it is 2010 and we are still having the conversation about its use and the inappropriateness associated with it.

Regardless of our background, we all know people who have used it.

So perhaps it is best to revisit the rules...

White people get no pass, "hood" or otherwise.
Pay attention John Mayer.
Permission is not granted to use the word - in gest, or otherwise.

Much was recently made of Senator Harry Reid's use of the word with regard to then-potential Presidential candidate Barack Obama. I read the book "Game Change" and my impression is that Reid's remarks were inappropriate, but in no way appeared grounded in malice.

I am not naive.
A racist is racist.
Like x-ray vision one can see "it" through a brick wall.

I once worked for an individual, who was, despite protestation and by all accounts, a racist.

In what the individual believed to be "confidential" circumstances, - no Black people present, or so they thought, - they flagrantly used the word.

This person knew and fully understood they were wrong...
Nigger was used in an almost whispered tone. Not only was there comprehension about the gravity of the word's use, its inappropriateness was also understood.

Yesterday I was getting a haircut - at an African-American barber shop - and counted the number of times I heard the word used. In a 30 minute period, the count was eighteen. Eighteen times in a half hour! Employees and patrons alike peppered their conversation with it-

Salutation - "What's up my nigger?"
Exaggeration - "Nigger please..."

The difference is that in these instances, there was no malicious intent or derision.

While I personally don't approve the use of the word by Black people, culturally, it is allowed.

Permission is granted.

It is part the African-American vernacular and, in many cases, accepted as such.

This debate is not going away. Nor is the use (appropriate or not) of the word, by Black or White people.

I am intrigued and inspired by three quotes I unearthed by three different indviduals - two having to do specifically with the word nigger and one that was born out of much broader implications and circumstances.

In the forward to his book, "Nigger," Dick Gregory wrote a special note to his mother -

"Whenever you hear the word ‘Nigger’," he said, "you’ll know they're advertising my book."

Gregory masterfully turned what, on the surface, was a negative into a thought-provoking and challenging positive.

Whoopi Goldberg, commenting on the word nigger:

"I don't know any and I've never been one."

Goldberg's refusal to accept a label, which neither fits or defines, suggests that anyone who uses it simply doesn't understand "who" or "what" they are talking about.

Lastly, former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt:

"No one makes you feel inferior without your consent."

When we refuse to succumb to demeaning labels, but accept the fact that we are individuals, unique and equal in our common humanity, we win. We defeat those who use words to define us.


Image:
Three Little Children, 1944
William H. Johnson (American, 1901 -1970)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian Institue

Editor's Note:

I was hasty in my reference to Senator Reid's remarks in the book Game Change. His quote did not use the word "nigger," but language that was interpreted by some to have a similiar tone. Reid was wowed by Obama's oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama:

"a 'light-skinned' African American with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one," as he said privately."

Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination.

Don't be a diva!

Every once in a while there is a television spot that just makes you laugh.
...and then you watch it again and you smile.
JeWayne Thomas shared this one with me and I felt compelled to share it.




You smiled too, right?

Meet Miss Recessionista!

Urbandictionary.com defines a recessionista as:


"A person who is able to remain stylish during times of economic hardship. A recessionista can shop on a limited budget and still manage to be up to date on the most current fashions. A recessionista does not let a bad economy, inflation, or a strong recession damage his or her wardrobe and opts to search for sales and shop at thrifty discount stores instead.

She's a recessionista, that New York marvel who's a magnet for a good deal.
And in this economy, she's got a lot to teach us."

I was introduced to the term recessionista by Marty Gillis, a New York Metro McDonald's franchise owner. While on a conference call recently, she introduced the term into a conversation about African-American women and how they are dealing (and ultimately managing) with the challenges of the current economic downturn.

It got the wheels in my head spinning and prompted me to explore the term recessionista and probe a little deeper.

I started with the premise that, while the term has applicability regardless of sex, gender or race, in my mind's eye, Miss Recessionista is a Black female...strong, self-assured and savvy. No stranger to making more out of less.

With a largely disproportionate number of African-American households headed by females, she is, in many cases, the sole decision maker for all household purchases.

I fully acknowledge the reality that even when there is a male present in the household, she still retains the final say with regard to purchases, big or small. This, too, is the rule of thumb in non-African-American households.

The fact is simple, she rules the roost.

Miss Recessionista is not ashamed or embarrassed by the name. She wears it loud and proud. It is an indication that she possesses skills and both the financial acumen and wherewithall of a seasoned CFO. While she enjoys the shopping process, common sense and fiscal responsibility are foundational to her approach.

After identifying "who" Miss Recessionista is, I began discussing her with a handful of women. While they are all from different walks of life, for all intents and purposes, in addition to being Black, they share the attributes that make them recessionitas.

"I used to shop for fun. Today I shop with a purpose."

With that thought, one of the first things I was intrigued by is a discernable erosion in brand loyalty. For years, African-Americans have been extremely brand conscious and loyal consumers. While brands for many represent quality and equality, Miss Recessionista has adopted (and applied) a "new and improved" filter to the shopping process.

"If I can find a product that does the same thing for less, that's the one I'm buying...End of story."

This filter prevailed across a number of goods and services...with very interesting exceptions. For example:

Laundry detergent: "I'm a Tide girl...my family always bought Tide, so I buy Tide...whenever it is on sale or I have a coupon."

Health and Beauty: "I know what (make-up/hair product) works and looks good on me...(despite price)...it is the cost of doing business."

Bottled Water: "I do not drink tap water...ever. I buy what is on sale, but my favorite is Deer Park."

But the prevailing guiding principle for Miss Reccesionista is clear and simple...

"I hate paying full price FOR ANYTHING...besides, who do you know is not interested in saving money?"

Now, let's talk about coupons...

African-Americans are habitually big users of coupons.
The challenge has always been getting coupons into their hands. Miss Recessionista has adopted a pro-active stance when it comes to coupons.

Not only does she seek them out, she frequents establishments that distribute them with regularity. Coupons and brands that distribute them regularly are part of her DNA.

"Even if I have two in my cupboard, if it's on sale and I have a coupon, I buy it."

"My Sunday routine starts with the coupon section of the paper."

When looking for an example of a brand engaged in a relationship with Miss Recessionista, CVS appeared to have that "on lockdown." All three women cited CVS as their drug store of choice. In addition to selection,("They stock everything in my bathroom and some of what is in my pocketbook") CVS provides "incentive enticements" that elicit repeat visits from her:

Extra Care Card
Double Points
Weekly Store Specials

In her view, these money saving programs represent an acknowledgement that while she has options, CVS understands what is important to her. Store exclusives like the Extra Care Card and The Weekly Store Specials, which feature the products she wants, demonstratesthat they value her.

Nevertheless, Miss Recessionista does not sacrifice.

"Despite the struggle, I still look good and while I've made some alterations, I haven't missed a beat."

Her priorities have not changed. She has simply reorganized them.

"My shopping list is the same, I just changed the order."

In truth, Miss Recessionsita has emerged into Miss Revisionista!

She changed the rules.

And the brands that play by these rules will get her business.


Editor's Note -
Special thanks to Jen, Deena, Mary, Latrese and the Elusive Butterfly for sharing their "ethnic insights."

Community Empowerment - "Bringing good food to long-ignored neighborhoods"

My "neighborhood" supermarket is less than one mile from my house.

I routinely go there, primarily for convenience...and for "staples" - newspaper, bread, eggs, milk, meat and vegetables.

Admittedly, not as often, and a bit out of the way, I also patronize the Shoprite at Cheltenham Square Mall.

To those of you unfamiliar with Philadelphia, Cheltenham is an integrated neighborhood/community that has a predominantly Black residential base.

The Cheltenham Shoprite is an anchor for the "urban" Cheltenham Square Mall, along with a Burlington Coat Factory, a Home Depot and a brand new Target.

To its credit, the Cheltenham Shoprite has long been a beacon in the community and paved the way for other businesses to prosper.

I shop there for multiple reasons -

The primary motivation is what I term "cultural choices."

The Shoprite carries what my (more upscale) neighborhood market does and does not -

Greens(collard, turnip, mustard), Sweet Potato Cheesecake (Stop and ponder that one for a moment), Smoked Turkey Parts (How else would one 'season' their greens?), Black Hair Care Products (Did somebody say Pro Line?) and Sweet Mixed Pickles (not to be confused with relish, sweet mixed pickles add just the right 'flavor' to potato salad).

The other reason(s) that I choose to patronize this particular Shoprite are articulated in the attached article -"A Man of Smiling Success"

The store's owner, Jeff Brown, has dedicated himself and his business to "bringing good food to long-ignored neighborhoods."

He has not only invested in the community, but the supermarket has been a conduit for employment in the community.

Brown says, "I would rather hire someone who hasn't worked in eight years but loves people than someone who is more qualified."

There is a phenomenon spreading across a great number of inner cities today.
"The flight of the urban supermarket."

In inner-cities like Detroit and Baltimore, supermarkets are leaving.

Abandoning the neighborhoods and communities that for so many years sustained them, forcing consumers to either rely on alternatives (Convenience Stores, Drug Stores or Mom and Pops) where selection and cost-savings are increasingly absent.

This understandably is having a devastating impact on communities and the spirit and well-being of the people who live there.

The model implemented by individuals like Jeff Brown is encouraging.

This is true, not just in terms of addressing the "flight of the urban supermarket." It fuels an even more compelling goal, reversing the erosion of urban America.

The health of these communities and their ability to prosper has a direct impact on all of us - regardless of where we live.

When urban communities and neighborhoods experience growth and prosperity, all communities benefit from the residual.

The conversation is about jobs, economics, people, pride and, once again, empowerment.

In this instance, the empowerment conversation shifts from the individual to the community.
Healthy communities produce healthy and productive citizens and this is a model for success.
One that, when implemented, will pay dividends for years to come.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/83184742.html