News-Record.com

I asked this question on John Robinson's blog, but does anybody even think that boycotts are real any more? That is, that actual economic pressure will be applied as it was, in say, Montgomery in 1955?

My theory is that the boycott has already worked because the paper has advertised it, a theory premised on the idea that boycotts have become purely a media matter.

A boycott of white owned businesses that have engaged in discriminatory or unfair treatment of blacks is to me a totally justifiable response to such activities, but to call for a blanket boycott of any business not owned by blacks only serves the cause of perpetuating racial divisiveness.

To those calling for such actions I would simply say that there are many real racial problems that need to be addressed, not by token actions of questionable effect, but by thoughtful and tangible activities directed towards real solutions.

Perhaps the announcement of a boycott was geared more to your publicizing it (as you did in this blog post) than it was intended to be an economic power play?

Somebody forgot to get the boycott memo out to folks that normally shop at the Four Seasons Mall.

Sue, I don't think the publicity on blogs and in newspapers helps all that much, frankly.

It didn't with the ill-considered and ill-fated planned school boycott a few years ago.

My suggestion in a more substantive, action-oriented agenda that goes beyond symbolism and marches: more engagement in the schools, tutorial programs, mentoring, entrepreneurial development programs, etc.

Racism clearly still persists but some of us seem too eager to embrace victimhood.

I never considered myself a racist (I'm "white") until I moved to Guilford County. The efforts of Skip Alston and others are having the OPPOSITE effect!

Confession,

I totally agree with you. In the past I would have never felt the need to count how many black people were shopping at a mall.

Now, not only did I count, I also made some sarcastic comments about which stores they just couldn't stay away from.

In the past I tried to make sure I treated everyone equally, now I say, "Ah, let Skip make sure the blacks are treated equally."

I guess I've started to feel about blacks the same way Skip feels about me.

Riiight, I totally understand where you're coming from "Out in Abundance".

I wish that these "Black Leaders" could see what they are really doing. These supposed "Role Models" like Skip Alston and Company are trying to brain-wash blacks into the mind-set that they are owed something from the white man, thus they can and should be given special privileges--like they can't be fired from a managerial job like the white man can.

Way to go Greensboro Black Racists. You're on your way to cultivating even more racism. And to be honest, I don't buy the fact that you want all racism to disappear. ..because then what would you have to use for an excuse?

Allen, if such boycotts are not aided by media coverage and not descriptive of events actually occuring--that is, actual boycotting behaviors--then why cover them? Why not raise the bar on what's newsworthy? (I know: wall of separation, news/ed, etc.)

As it is, you're simply providing oxygen for blow-hards. Earl Jones got exactly what he wanted from this: front-page coverage for a divisive and unproductive non-event. What's even worse, as a leader of the black community--self-appointed, but also elected--he just makes that community look inept. I mean, a one-day boycott on Labor Day? A laughably named group opposing "Intolerable Racism" (as opposed to the Tolerable kind???). A lot of people will read the paper today, sigh, and say "what a bunch of idiots."

Take the air out of his balloon and give it to the people who are doing the constructive things you talk about.

Brian, I'd have to defer to John Robinson to discuss the news coverage philosophy on the protest, but I fully agree on the dated strategy and the general lack of impact of a march.
These are not the 1960s and the problems we face are more complex in nature.
I still need to get a copy of "A Covenant with Black America," which takes a much more thoughtful and systematic approach.

The economic boycott is a good example of how the black "leaders" are rallying and bringing black people together---against whites!
It's a shame they can't work to bring the races together instead of working to bring even more divisiveness into our community.

Allen,

are we talking about physical racism or cultural racism? if i, being white, ask an african american to turn down his/her music, am i a racist? i do not particularly like hip-hop but i do not think the person playing it is bad.

it is my opinion that there exists an african american culture that is trying to find its place in American society and that culture bumps into the other cultures. it is with that friction, we people want to find racism.

without some specific goal, the march was unneeded. sorry.

A lot of the loudest rap music I hear hasn't come from the vehicles of black kids.

As for the "cultural racism" you mention, I get the impression that wasn't the protesters' point or target.

I suspect the concern is educational opportunity and a fair shake in the workplace.

As I said before, I don't dispute that racism in a number of shapes and forms exists locally and elsewhere -- though not in all the places they allege to see it. I just don't think their tactics are all that effective.