Two Groups of African Americans

Dear Mr. Bailey (The Afro-American Newspaper),

I read with interest your article "African Americans Divided into Two Basic Groups".  I am not an African American, but have felt since childhood, that the fate of all minorities in America are tied to Black Americans. 

The two groups you present are essentially those who would be in some eyes be deemed as "Uncle Toms" and the others as the militant nationalists. I believe that you are selective in your quotes in attempting to typify men in either category and hence, simplify the complex issues that befall "black progress".  The historical burdens of slavery, segregation and the brutal social welfare regime cannot be ignored. 

I believe that the two better groups or better are two ideologies to define that conflict.   The conflict is actually between W.E.B. Dubois (political advocacy) and  George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington (education and self-reliance).   These objectives are not contradictory, but yet, it seems that political advocacy has dominated modern African American aspirations.  The enthusiasm and elation surrounding the election of Barack Obama is an example.  The messianic symbolism in so much of Black literature seem to come to fruition in this presidency, which by all accounts has done little to actually help the Black community.  As the saying goes "Show me the Money".

This unbalanced approach in favor of political success destroyed black entrepreneurial enterprises beyond number in the 1960's.  Consider the number of thriving black enterprises in Richmond, Washington, Baltimore etc and how they were destroyed practically overnight by the sudden flight of black dollars into white businesses.  Where I live in Petersburg, Virginia, our Halifax Triangle is vacant, but for the two mortuaries that survive.  Richmond's Jackson Ward was cut in half by I-95, thus severing the community.  Where was the out-cry.  Black business just closed up shop and entire communities died and left no examples that black people could be business owners.  What happened to the "George Jeffersons".  So hear I am crying about the past. 

So how do we move on.  I believe that America as a whole, must recognize that while we move for political equity, we must train the young to be self-sufficient, industrious and to love education.  I am encouraged to see black small business returning to cities like mine, but I also believe that they can use a hand in training and of course bolstering RELEVANT education in our existing schools.  Not every child needs to attend college.  Learning trades should be fine.  We need black electricians, plumbers and mechanics too and we need business owners.  I am simply exasperated that the gay agenda seems to be a higher priority politically, than getting our young black men off the streets and into training programs that have a future.  I am following with interest Tavis Smiley call for a "black initiative".

Peace,