Sunday, October 31, 2004

Detroit, We Are African Town!

by Anita S. Lane

This article ran as a Detroit News Commentary on November 3, 2004. Go to the following link to see the Detroit News Version. http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0411/03/a23-324085.htm

Do you recall a time when immigrants landed in Detroit and forced us (African Americans) to hand over our businesses? Do you recall a time when immigrants received special treatment and access to business opportunities in the city from Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young? Do you recall this ever happening? No, because it didn’t.

What did happen however, is that in the wake of the Jim Crow and civil rights era, opportunities were created for African Americans and we took them—such as the opportunity to move outside of Detroit once segregation was declared illegal and the opportunity to shop and eat at establishments owned by whites. As a result, we eroded our tightly knit communities and weakened African American owned business districts. We encouraged our children to attend college over assuming the family business or starting their own. We wanted so badly to touch, taste and experience what we had for so long been forbidden, that we neglected and devalued what we had. We were free to go elsewhere. And so we did.

Now it’s almost 40 years later and we realize what we left behind. We left behind a sense of collective pride, the pride of ownership, the beauty of community and shared culture, and the blessing of extended family within close proximity. Many of us who could “get out,” got out and left our communities without the socioeconomic diversity and the variety of role models that helped our communities to thrive.

So now we want to establish an African Town and a loan fund to correct our mistakes. Is this the right approach? Access to loans is just one piece of the puzzle. Perhaps we should require that successful applicants:

  • work 12-14 hours a day including weekends if necessary;
  • provide excellent service with a smile;
  • offer goods and services at competitive prices;
  • forgo a vacation for the first 2-3 years;
  • work for modest pay;
  • forgo purchasing or leasing expensive vehicles;
  • be willing to share their home with up to 5-6 extended family members;
  • reinvest 30% of their profit directly into the business;
  • Set aside at least 10% of income in a “rainy day” fund;
  • and pool financial resources with the other family members in business in order to help one another purchase buildings and establish businesses

Okay, so I would never actually recommend legislating such criteria. The point is, are we willing to go to such lengths to succeed in business?

Over the years I’ve conversed with many successful foreign-born business owners. Ironically, their stories are almost always the same. They come to America because it is the land of opportunity and freedom—the freedom to succeed or fail based on their own merit. And as for their personal work ethic— they don’t take “no” for an answer and they won’t settle for excuses. They persevere in spite of language and cultural barriers. They don’t expect anyone to give them anything and they are not averse to hard work. They understand the meaning of delayed gratification. This is how they manage to come to the United States with so little and fare so well in such a relatively short period of time.

Don’t get me wrong. Successful African American business owners employ these same principles. And they deserve our support. My Aunt and Uncle own a thriving business in Detroit and operate in just the fashion I described. And that needs to be the standard we set if we are to succeed in business as a community.

Want an African Town? Fine. I won’t argue. Create a place to showcase African American heritage, culture and business. But if we as Black consumers don’t support our own now, we’ll just end up with an “African Town” tourist attraction supported by tourists and owned and operated by our same foreign-born friends who own the beauty supply, gas station and party store in our neighborhoods now.

Let’s be honest. With an African American population of over 80%, Detroit, we are African Town. We just need to act like it.

Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Where is the American Dream?

by Anita S. Lane

In October 2004, the Detroit Free Press conducted a special report entitled “Anger in America.” One of the reasons cited for this anger is friction resulting from the rapid pace of movement and change in our country. Perhaps.

But why do I think Americans are angry?

Americans are angry because Americans are stressed. Americans are driven by their desire to achieve the "American Dream." The problem is they keep falling short. Most view the American Dream in terms of wealth and riches. Yet it is very difficult to achieve the amount of wealth and riches most starry-eyed young people dream about. The reality is that there are very few Americans who are actually that wealthy anyway. But popular media over-saturates our minds with images of riches and "having it all" which can result in inner turmoil for those of us that don't see through the smoke screen.

For those of us who do see more clearly, there is something to be said about our current economic times. If you are not a savvy business owner and you're depending on employers to make your living, it is a precarious time in America. The constant struggle of working and not being able to "get ahead" is a very deep source of stress for most Americans that impacts every area of their lives—their self esteem, interpersonal relationships, relationships with the children, etc.

Americans are angry because they are discontent with themselves. They wish they could be smarter, stronger, better educated, more attractive--you name it. The real problem is we're allowing media and other outside sources define the American Dream for us.

So what do I propose is the American Dream? The American Dream is the ability to freely practice and express one's religious beliefs. The American Dream is the ability to utilize one's God-given gifts and talents, pursue one's passion, work hard, and realize the fruit of one's labor. The American Dream is the ability to pass along one's values to their children and help their children pursue goals and aspirations without governmental interference. The American Dream is to be able to come home at night, eat dinner with the ones you love and go to bed in peace, knowing your home will not be obtrusively uprooted from you.

If more of us thought of the American Dream in more fundamental terms we would realize that the American Dream is not afar off. We are living it. Yet we're too brainwashed to realize it and we cause ourselves undue stress as a result. Our disappointment with where we are in life and what we "don't have" leads to bitterness and anger.

Wake up America! Stop focusing on what you don't have and value what you do have. All the elements of the American Dream are right inside of you.


Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane

Sunday, October 17, 2004

I’m Not Losing It

by Anita S. Lane

It was a span of four days. Things seemed to be falling apart in little ways.

Day one: I went to make a purchase with my bank card and could not find my license. “Great. That sure complicates things,” I thought to myself.

Day two: I’m ordering carry out and cannot find enough cash to pay for the meal. “I thought I had more cash…” I mumbled in embarrassment as I fumbled through my purple fanny pack (“hey, it fits in the baby bag”). Not to mention someone I knew was standing nearby. Fortunately I found just enough to cover the bill. “Whew!”

Day three: I retrace my steps to various vendors in search of my license. No luck.

Day four: I go to make a withdrawal from the ATM machine only to discover I do not have my ATM card. I cannot find it. By this time I’m feeling irresponsible. “I’m not losing it,” I tell myself as I try to remain calm and pleasant in the presence of my children. I search the house. I revisit the pizza parlor where a couple of days prior I purchased pizza.

I call and cancel my debit card and proceed to complete the errands I originally set out to accomplish. My four year-old daughter asked when we left the house if she could bring her little black purse. “Okay,” I said even though I saw it as an unnecessary piece luggage for which I would ultimately be responsible.

I get to the office supply store with my two young children and infant in tow, only to discover that the main item I came to purchase is out of stock. “It could be worse, right?” Then it’s time for the family rest room break. While in the restroom my daughter is flashing dollar bills from her purse. Out of the corner of my eye it appears that one of the bills is larger than a dollar bill. I go over to her only to discover she’s flashing a twenty dollar bill…and a five…and a one dollar bill. At this point I want to know just how much loot she’s actually carrying in that little black bag of hers. I open the purse and to my amazement I find my license and my debit card (in addition to the twenty-six dollars in cash). I had to catch my breath. I was outraged.

“Didn’t you know Mommy was looking for these things? Didn’t you hear me say I couldn’t find my license and my bank card? Didn’t you know it was wrong to take something out of mommy’s fanny pack?”

I immediately called my husband and he calmed me down. “Honey, she didn’t realize what she had taken. She was only trying to be like you by putting those items into her purse.” Apparently she had put those items in her purse a few days ago and forgot. Nevertheless, she was disciplined and her purse-carrying privileges suspended.

Okay, so her actions were unintentional, but they still caused me a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering—can I sue for damages? As a woman who usually “keeps it together,” this particular weekend got to me. The public humiliation of not having enough cash for carryout, losing my license, retracing my tracks to vendors, reporting my debit card lost/stolen, and wondering all the while “what is happening to me?” had worked my patience. But I had to forgive and move on. Whether intentional or unintentional, when someone else’s actions make life difficult for us it is still our responsibility to forgive and move on. “Look at the bright side,” I told myself. At least in this instance I wasn’t actually “losing it.”


Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane

Sunday, October 10, 2004

Is Your Minivan a Status Symbol?

by Anita S. Lane

I traded in my Mercedes for a minivan. A vehicle I declared I’d never drive. “There goes any symbol of status for the next 25 years,” I thought to myself. Maybe. Maybe not. But let me start this story from the beginning.

I was approaching age 30. I had purchased my first new car right out of graduate school and had paid it off. I was ready for my first luxury sedan. I fell in love with the brand new Lexus RX 300. An SUV and the cutest thing on four wheels! “Yup, that was it!” One problem: my tall, broad husband didn’t fit comfortably in it. “Not enough head and elbow room,” he said. I was disappointed but I proceeded to find a comparable vehicle and came across the Mercedes SUV.

I never imagined driving a Mercedes at that stage of my life but it was a well-made, well handling vehicle. The price was right and the note was affordable. It wasn’t nearly as cute as the Lexus but it fit the goal of “luxury vehicle” and it fit my husband and baby girl. I was an independent contractor and needed the write-off so we leased it for three years.

But in three years, life happened: I went from being the mother of one to a mother of three; I went from being gainfully employed to unemployed (remember the recession after 911?); I went from being a working mom to a full-time stay-at-home mom. And remember that “affordable note?” Needless to say it was no longer affordable.

I remember the night I traded in my new Mercedes for a gently used Dodge Grand Caravan. By the grace and wisdom of God we were able to pay cash for it. I remember thinking, “there goes any symbol of status for the next 25 years.” Then I thought again. My minivan is a symbol of status. It’s a symbol that says I’m at the point in my life where my children come first. It is a symbol that I’m willing to put the comfort and convenience of my children before my own—they love the room, it’s easy to step into, and it’s nice to have room for a potty. My minivan is a status symbol. It’s a symbol that I have found new love—children, motherhood and all that comes along with it. That’s my status in life and my minivan is the symbol.


Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane

Sunday, October 03, 2004

Desperate Housewives Need God

by Anita S. Lane

I guess a single woman having sex in the city is no longer enough for the American viewing audience. The premiere of the highly advertised “Desperate Housewives,” on ABC makes it clear that it is time to “take it up a notch.”

Apparently, it is not enough to show young single women (and men) denigrate themselves (as is done on virtually all prime time shows as well as in the myriad of reality shows). It is now necessary to desecrate the role and sanctity of a wife and mother—an integral one-half of the pillar upon which family and society is built. When will it stop?

Unfortunately, I don’t think this slow, devaluation of everything that is good will stop as long as the majority of Americans are eager to turn on the tub and watch such trash. Trash? Is this too strong a term given the show is portraying reality for many American families?

Reality is not always good. The reality is that many Americans are broke, sick, hurting, confused and angry. You might even say—desperate. However, the Word of God tells us not to focus on these things, no matter how real they may be. We’re admonished to focus on whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Focus on the goal. You’ve heard the saying, “your life will go in the direction of your most dominant thought.”

As intriguing and entertaining as “Desperate Housewives” may be—especially if you love a good soap opera, it is actually poison to our hearts and minds and God’s Word tells us to guard our hearts and minds with all diligence because from the heart flows the issues of life.

Have you ever felt desperate? Of course. But what you do when you feel desperate is the bigger, better question. Don’t allow secular television to plant devilish ideas in your mind, let alone attempt to offer suggestions as to how to handle life’s challenges.

I happen to be a housewife. One who is striving to be all that God has destined for me to be. Yet as pure as my intentions are, I don’t need any outside suggestions for thinking and acting “out of character.” And that’s what shows like this provide—An opportunity to identify with one of the characters, justify their bad behavior, covet some material thing they have, and reflect upon your own life in light of theirs (which is albeit, fictitious).

These are all things we do unconsciously when we are engrossed in a show. I don’t need the drama of four fictitious women cluttering space in the back of my mind. But I can always use plenty help strengthening what is good and pure in my life as a woman, wife and mother. But they don’t offer that on prime time. So, the only way this show will ever get ratings from my home is if they adjust the plot and title it “Housewives Desperate for More of God.”


Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane