Do African Americans Suffer From Low Self Esteem?
Written by George M. Howard Jr
It has been said that “black people tend to buy things associated with wealth and riches in order to feel better about who they are”, according to The Atlantic. They argue that poor people tend to spend more money on visible goods in order to prove that they are prosperous. Conversely, the richer a society, the less emphasis are placed on material and visible goods. For African American's I will sum it up in the words of Billy from the movie "White Men Can’t Jump".
“You're like every brother I ever see. You'd rather look good and lose than look bad and win.”
Wow! Did he really say that in 1992? That was almost 20 years ago and IT’S STILL TRUE!
African Americans are the number one consumers (percentage wise) than any other ethnic group. African Americans spend $29,300,000,000 in CLOTHES (that’s 29.3 billion) another $29,100,000,000 on car’s (that’s 29.1 billion). We’re the number one consumer in hair products and scotch. It has been said that African Americans account for 30% of the country’s Scotch consumption. Detroit, an 80% Black city has the highest Black unemployment rate than any other city in the country, but yet they are the number one market for Cognac. C’mon people, are you serious?
With over $830,000,000,000 in spending wealth we count for less than 1% of business in the United States meaning 99% of our income goes back to America. Let’s look at this way. Take a Black man/woman and open a retail store in a Jewish, Caucasian, Asian, Indian, or Arab community and see how well it performs. I will save you the time. They won’t last 6 months. Nevertheless, we can find each of these nationalities in African American communities as nail shops, gas station, hair stores, urban wear (retail) and even grocery stores. Yes, Blacks look good, but their loosing.We have all heard the cliché, “fake it until you make it”, but my sentiment is, “you will never make it as long as you keep faking it.” For example look at what the music we listen to expresses, the number one hit by Big Tymers, Still Fly.
"Gator Boots, with the pimped out Gucci suit.
Ain't got no job, but I stay sharp.
Can't pay my rent, cause all my money's spent,
but thats OK, cause I'm still fly.
Got a quarter tank gas in my new E-class,
but that's alright cause I'm gon' ride.
Got everything in my momma's name,
but I'm hood rich da dada dada da"
Really? This was a number one hit for over 10 weeks! What is this hood rich mentality? To look good on the outside but your networth is below average, your retirement portfolio wouldn't last two years, you are currently living pay check to pay check, and your savings accounts is empty. You have more gold in your mouth than you do in your pocket. You drive a $45,000 automobile but pull up to an apartment. Hood rich, this is the exact definition of low self-esteem. To get selfworth from the outside in instead of the inside out.
People make clothes, clothes don't make people. People make cars, cars don’t make people. When African Americans internalize this principle they will go a lot further. Yes, African Americans are looking good but they are losing.
What about songs like, "Have a baby by me and be a millionaire," by 50 cent. Is this the only way to obtain riches? To throw your morals away and to become someone’s baby momma. This is foolishness. Yes, African Americans are looking good but they are losing.
CNN has reported "the average African American has a total net worth of less than $26,000" while the average American’s net worth is $125,000. Looking at the statistics the problem is not a matter of African American’s having income, however the problem is where they are spending their money.
What is the cure to this dilemma? I believe Melvin said it best in the movie Baby Boy. Please excuse the exploratives.
"Now, I see you got a little business going. Well, that's good. You make that paper. But when you make paper, there are rules that go with it. You got to learn the difference between guns and butter. There are two types of n*gg*s, n*gg*s with guns... and n*gg*s with butter. What are the guns? That's the real estate... the stocks and bonds. Art work. What's the butter? Cars, clothes, jewelry, all the b*llsh*t that don't mean sh*t after you buy it. That's what it's all about: Guns and butter."
The only way African Americans will ever be able to bridge the wealth gap is they must begin to put money where it will increase/appreciate in value instead of putting money where it will decrease/depreciate in value. Money management must begin to be taught in homes and schools. Credit education must be essential. The value of a dollar should be emphasized. Thriving businesses must be opened. Most importantly self worth must be taught from the inside out and not from the outside in.
