Peace and Blessings Family, I'm sick of this. There are all these messages out here, leading us to believe that Black Men don't want to work, aren't willing to work, are lazy, and all of this BS ... suggesting that this is why they aren't working ... instead of addressing the REAL REASONS these Brothers are unemployed. I don't think it's fair or right for anyone to suggest ... they can go and work at McDonald's or some other fast food restaurant, making minimum wage for 20 hours a week, and expect them to take care of themselves or their Families. I'm so sick of hearing this, and i hope no one suggests it in this thread. I'm gonna shoot holes all through it right now, for those of you who may be wanting to post it. Why does a Black Man have to do the most raggediest, menial, of things, that pay no real money? Especially when they see their white counterparts, with no better work ethic, with no better nothing ... having to lower themselves to these places. It's as though Brothers are set up ... either work at McDonald's for peanuts ... or sell drugs, ending in prison or death. We've consistently been the last hired, and first fired ... and we seem to just accept it! I'm sick of it, and i feel our Brothers' pain. What message are we giving our young Black Men, if we don't speak to, address, and resolve this!? What man doesn't WANT to work and take care of his Family?!! What Family can grow strong(est), without their Men being able to provide for them? Every man wants this ... but the Black Man just can't get a fair shake. I'm sick of it. Anyway ... i may not have shot holes all through the McDonald's job suggestion, but i aint feel'n that at all. That is not the answer to the problem. So know in advance, i'm gonna be fighting you on that one. You'll have to show me where that is the ultimate solution. I think i'm venting. I wanna know how many of us know Black Men that are willing to work, yet remain unemployed? Please vote in the poll above ... and share your thoughts below. How can we fix this Family? What must we do? Thanks in advance. Destee
This is a touchy subject for me - I'm HR working for an American company in Holland. A couple years ago I was addressed, because about 70% of the staff were Black. FAR out of the scope off all their branches worldwide. My response? now 90% of the staff are Black. grrr.. and I refuse to tick the box of race when sending employee details. The thing that remains touchy for me, is that I never hired according to colour.. Affirmative Action never even crossed my mind. On many occasions, I gave the final call to the mngr/super in charge.. and they all agreed. I hired/recommended on the willingness of the applicant to work in the conditions we require. BUT - know that all white businesses like to keep the ratio of Black to white within acceptable limits.. enough to show they are not racist.. but not enough to be considered a Black supporting company. it sickens me to no end. How many times am I faced with a white kid, just out of high school.. and encouraged to "give him a chance to get his feet wet" in the business world.. while ignoring the Black MEN who need and WANT the same chance? ai ai ai. eta - is sickens me because now the Black man really is marginalized.. when he works, people assume its a token gesture - and when he doesnt.. it's expected. no win situation. eta again should mention the area this facility is located = 80% black residents.. and it was still assumed odd that the staff ratio matched.
Im probably gonna get blasted for this but... Work is work and sometimes you do what you gotta do. For the past few months I had to work at a local 7-Eleven to make it through the summer as I have not been able to find suitable employment despite 20 years as a public school teacher. $8.50 an hour is better than ZERO. Worked 34 hours overtime in one two week period before a change in management, which later forced me to resign. Had to quit because the new manager was stressing me out. This is nothing new. I quit teaching because of stress. Only black male sixth grade teacher and only black male teacher in soical studies department. No back-up and no support. So, for me, it dont matter if you make $8.50 an hour or $41.50 an hour. Black men are stressed and targeted regardless of the work or pay. Either we are over-qualified or considered not qualified enough. If you are qualified and command big salary they always looking for anyone to hire for less. I grew up watching my Dad have similar experience as a Senior Engineer and Project Manager. When there were cutbacks it usually was projects he was managing, which eventually forced him to retire early and then work as a consultant. A Black man can work and earn $1600 a month if he is at least supported by a comparable wage earner. Latinos have 4 or 5 minimum wage earners in the home and pool those 2 or 3 thousand dollars. Black folks dont do the same. For the most part. Sometimes those minimum wage jobs can turn into management traineee programs and franchising opportunities. Sure, it take time, but its possible. Quote: "So know in advance, i'm gonna be fighting you on that one." And this is part of the problem. If you REALLY "feel" what brothers are going through then what's best is to KNOW that SOME brothers are not given opportunity to "do better". Quite frankly, I am in that position RIGHT NOW. Which is why Im cutting time on the internet, where I put in time but ain't gettin' paid. I should be asleep right now saving my enegy to job hunt in the morning, but here I am. I have family member who tripped when I quit teaching, moved to texas, didnt work for almost two years, then worked past two months at a 7-Eleven. Guess what. NONE of my "closest" family who are the most judgemental have visited me once. NONE have offered my employment or attempted to "hook me up." and NONE really KNOW that I quite teaching cuz I was stressed out, having problems staying awake in class due to diabetes, and elevating blood pressure getting caught up in family drama. Since moving, I have set up an educational consulting firm, designed over 20 websites, and now in the process of establishing an e-learning program which I plan on incorporating with a performing arts academy. While also managing internet radio, podcast and v-blogging sites. If folks dont SUBSCRIBE to my sites or assist me FINANCIALLY in my INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ENTERPRISE I feel that should not hanything to say about where and how I earn income. if I gotta work as a janitor or a ditch digger or a waste disposer, gardener, or trucker to pay my bills I'm gonna do what I gotta do, provided I am physically able. My problem now is that my body is physically STRESSED OUT, and I am darn near disabled. So, since I cant find a fulltime teaching position and sub work aint happening I may lose everything and go bankrupt. So what. I been in worse situations. However, I am basically "sick and tired" of Black women complaining about Black men doing what we gotta do. In many instances, Black men are in the position they are in because white men give Black women preferential treatment in hiring. Yeah. Folks wont wanna deal with that. But I know what I SEE. and what I have experienced. Imma leave it at that.
Lets look BEYOND race, if that is possible. From the standpoint of GENDER. Are MEN under-or-over-represented? Specifically Black MEN. I already know the answer but thanks ahead of time.
Now, Im gonna take this to another place... As a public school teacher with over 120 units beyond my undergrad degree my last two years as a teacher I earned over $80k a year. Salary over $40 per hour. Training rate $25per hour. $14.95 as youth services worker. How many people HERE will pay me training rate of $25 per hour to design their web sites? Whites typically charge in excess of $45 ph. Are there any afro-centric insitutions or Black-owned business owners, HERE, willing to hire me as at least a managemnt trainee earning no less that $40 ph? Im willing to re-locate but I need work NOW. if not, please dont respond to my posts "talkin' loud and saying NOTHING' cuz, if you aint in position to FIX this problem, you are, most likely, part of the problem! Peace!