I realized when I started to write this, some blacks would say they have a right to spend their money for things other people enjoy. But I'm not trying to challenge that right, but to show what hasn't improved within the black community because of how money is spent.

Unknowing to most blacks, they have been singled out as a guaranteed source for businesses to obtain millions of dollars. Other than banks over charging for loans and credit card companies setting some up to be in debt for most of their lives, advertisers make millions using blacks to sell the products of their clients. Regardless what race they are, few people will have someone of another race mingling around their home, lying across their bed, in the middle of family matters, or anything else on a regular basis, unless they're somehow related or in some kind of relationship.

So is this one of the methods used to allegedly show diversity, or is it really a way to encourage blacks to spend their money. Of course, when some blacks see other blacks mingling around with whites in commercials, they smile because it looks like it's a changing world, because many have that belief due to their socio-economic circumstances. But others, being younger, may believe they're living in a more diversified society and avoid remembering the struggles of blacks in the past, like to eat at a restaurant counter.

This isn't to complain about whites, it's to show that few blacks are aware of its economic damage on black's ability to maintain themselves. And to show there are whites who recognize and feel uncomfortable about it also, all I would have to do is repeat what I heard a white comedian say, and he wasn't doing stand up. "Why can't white guys watch football on television without some black guy sitting between them". He was referring to commercials on television that often show blacks socializing amongst whites.

If you notice some commercials you would respect his concerns, because blacks are usually the most noticeable group in these ads. Even though they may not understand it's intent. I'm not suggesting they not try for those jobs or refuse to work in this field. But an intelligent artist knows what is true and real to everyday life. If racial disparity still exists in society, there's no way it should be denied being shown in a manner that mirrors that society.

Of course blacks and whites socialize and many are friends, but what advertisers should show us should reflect that. So I'll ask those who may question my observation. What are the reason blacks are seen more in commercials then any other group? If you're a hopeful thinker, you may believe it's a fair way to show the way society should be. Or having a more realistic observation you feel it could be a way to manipulate blacks to spend their money. Regardless of your beliefs the latter is most likely true.

Further proof is to show that black households earned income during the earlier part of this century was in the area of 5 hundred billion dollars. Which is more money than some countries have. And to show why this observation is really important, should we ask how much of those billions were saved or used to improve blacks circumstances. So with those numbers, we can almost forget the idea that those commercials are because of social relevance.

We may not agree, but it's basically to channel money into businesses and out of their hands before priorities. And seeing the economic situation of most black families and communities, it has been performed with an overwhelming success. And what helps it to work is blacks, unlike most other races, seem to be unaware of their economic power. If they were, they would have a significant reason to set up better circumstances to avoid being judged dependent.

Unfortunately, a new breed of blacks seem to be more concerned about life's presentation and 15 minutes of fame, then avoiding stereotyping that usually set them up for the pitfalls that often follow. But the people who could have made a difference sold the only network blacks could have had to someday connect the dots that would show black's prosperity.

But Viacom did what whites often do; they did their homework before they bought the BET network. They realized the reason BET was able to sustain itself, although out numbered, was because blacks have the ability to know what other blacks often prefer, so they choose to change nothing. Today, they continue to cater to blacks, as primary viewers and participants. On another note, should blacks ask why in most situations the money they earn has become more important than they are? Or in a different way of saying it, should their dollar value be as important as their people value?

Should they hope for a moment when the politics of social restraint eases so they can bring them both together? Although most can't fathom it to be true, it has never been necessary to encourage people of other races to spend their money as often as blacks. Reason, money for them serves many purposes. On the other hand, some blacks are not generally known to be concerned enough to distribute their wealth into areas for growth. Although money usually filters into the black communities as other's regularly, it disappears faster and only returns because of basic labor or, unfortunately, tax payer contributions to assist families.

But there is untapped money that can't be tallied and it filters in by illegal methods. It may flow through the community in a method that would also be considered labor. But again, we see blacks have not been smart enough to understand how to use that money to accomplish something positive as whites that perform in the same kind of situation. But businesses have less interest in them, because the urgency or opportunity to obtain that money usually comes more aggressively from the legal and criminal justice system.

But there is money that exists amongst a new or different category of blacks. They're usually educated and surround themselves with conditions similar to the status quo. The smart ones know how to replicate the lifestyles of whites to enjoy most of the same things they do. Amongst that group are individuals who help the power structure find new ways to influence other blacks to separate from their money as a means of obtaining some for themselves.

But to not forget blacks in the entertainment industry, that are neither opportunists nor an example for other blacks. They often have an abundance of wealth that was acquired from blacks, yet most give little in return other than their visual selves. In a society where being entertained is more important then most things we should be concerned with. The concern's of life's usually becomes an issue only when one realize they're to old to restore all the things they didn't care they would need before they die.

Lack of life and health insurance, little money set-aside for a rainy day has rarely been a priority for many, unfortunately. Some even believe it's more presentable to buy expensive clothes or expensive cars and struggle, then writing on a yellow pad, "the must do's" as a guide to follow. Regardless if they are learned or just heard about it, most blacks are familiar with the cruelties of this system's past upon their ancestors and even today, yet they prefer to live in the now instead of being concerned about what's ahead.

Some are more concerned about cheating in relationships, keeping up their appearance than evaluating their circumstances for the sake of black children that will surely grow up angry and defiant. But it would be unfair not to reveal how blacks have adopted some of the same addiction for wealth as the ruling class, who has caused them to lose the spiritual comradeship that inspired them to beat the odds of yesterday's social tyranny.

They have placed themselves in small social, economic, caches that usually feed on other blacks that are weak, impulsive, and generally unable to protect themselves because of their lack of academic awareness. And the most difficult thing that occurs when dealing with this stratum, is teaching most to not take advantage of those who are less fortunate. They may forget or may not care that blacks have been an article of trade to most of the world for decades.

Today, they may not be on the auction block so the slave owners can sort them out for purchase, but their lack of concern for anything and everything continues to keep them from becoming a race of people independent and free to make better choices. They have distance themselves from their ancestors and purpose and become a people with no identification.

The lost of principles, integrity, and love for each other have allowed the grandchildren of our oppressors to continue making their profits from our labor. Even though some whites are in fear of becoming a minority, but black Americans of African heritage who shun that part of them are more likely to discover somewhere in the future that it won't be a white concern.

Many stories in the Bible speak of civilizations of people who failed to follow the rules, which created transgressions upon there own, and most no longer exist.

© 2004 by T. Duffy
AfroStaff writer