Many people in the USA have the concept that money is the key to salvation and possibly living the American Dream. In many instances different races who have migrated to the USA have epitomized the previous concept. Yet, when it comes to the African American, money does not have the same effect. African Americans have money, plenty of it when it comes to purchasing power. Why then are African Americans so behind other races when it comes to living the so-called American Dream? Is money the saving grace? Is the American Dream in its white glory, for African Americans?
“Money is the key to end all your woes.” That line is from, It’s Like That, Run DMC. People in the USA seem to believe this, but does money solve woes? There are times in the African American community that money seems to create more problems. One instance is maintaining family unity. How many families have grown apart because family members started making money and subconsciously distanced themselves from other family members? How many times have you heard instances of siblings not talking to each other over a pittance left via a parent’s death? Yet, money is supposed to be the key to life long happiness in the USA. Maybe the meaning of happiness in the USA for African Americans is: separation, envy, spite and violence towards one another. If this form of happiness fits the African American version of the American Dream, then money is working perfectly.
There are economic blue prints to generate African American economic power. Yet, in 2022 there is no African American economic power base in the USA. Other races have come to the USA and used unity to create economic power. African Americans lack the key principle to economic power, unity. This is why there are any number of African American millionaires in any major city and no major African American industry. The African American community is a macrocosm of the family. Money can decimate family unity and it seems that money is decimating the African American community.
“What people do for money?” That line comes from, What People Do for Money, by Divine Sounds. Many African American females are making money via the new glorification of being a lady of the night in the USA. This money-at-any-cost mentality stems from various forms of music that began sending African American males to the grave and prison in the 80’s. In 2022, music has evolved to send African American females to strip clubs, prostitution, porn, etc., for money. The loss of two generations of African American males to prison and death is going to pale to the loss of one generation of African American females. The reason is, African American females bear the children. What happens to the children if the mother is obsessed with gaining money via any means necessary? The children may have the latest Polo gear, but what type of nurturing is going into their heads? Silly Me, school is where the child will get their morals and education. How well has this formula worked for African Americans in 250 years?
“I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket.” That line comes from 24 K Magic, by Bruno Mars. Mars was not talking about any African American male in the USA. The African American males who would be dangerous are usually the ones who don’t have excesses of money. The people that are dangerous with money in their pockets are white men. White men are dangerous because they use the money to exploit, buy and humiliate every other race on the planet, especially African Americans. African Americans of both sexes will humiliate, sell and offer their bodies and souls for the pleasure of white men. Little do these African Americans realize that anything with a price is cheap.
This verse from The Bible may enlighten African Americans on why money fails them in the USA. “For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26.
Frank James IV © 2022
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.