America Needs More Black Men Working

[williamjackson]

America Needs More BMW'ing
William Jackson, M.Edu
Parent, Educator, Blogger

"So our people not only have to be reeducated to
the importance of supporting black business, but
the black man himself has to be made aware of
the importance of going into business." Malcolm X



Mayor Alvin Brown of Jacksonville, Florida has announced that several
businesses are moving to Jacksonville, expanding their business presence
or building new facilities providing an economic infusion of
investments, tax dollars and new employment opportunities.
These economic prospects will provide a much needed economic
boost to support a struggling economy here in Jacksonville with
similar cases across this nation by other Mayors.
The announcement of military personnel and their families moving
to cities provides an economic stimulus as boats, planes, subs,
helicopters, tanks and supporting facilities make their new homes
in new cities. As the military reorganizes their deployments to
address conflicts around the world, deployments and re-deployments
make an economic influence to the local communities.
Cities must be sure to share its economic elevation and employment
opportunities across cultural and educational areas, no one should
be denied the chance to support their families.
There should be an investment to vital pieces of the economic puzzle
that allows for employment and economic stability, expansion and
growth across all parts of cities that are struggling.



"Once you can create some employment in the community
where you live it will eliminate the necessity of you and me
having to act ignorantly and disgracefully, boycotting and
picketing some practice someplace else trying to beg him
for a job." Malcolm X

When looking at the unemployment rates the Bureau of Labor
statistics shows changes in economy
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/work.pdf)
and even looking at the percentage of Blacks by zip code it shows
that Blacks are an important part of the economic stability of
this nation and the cities they live in.
(http://zipatlas.com/us/zip-code-comparison/percentage-black-population.htm).
This is why cities need to make sure there are equitable job opportunities
to employ and keep employed BMWing.

Volunteering Dads
If you have not figured out what BMWing is "Black Men Working."

Mayors of cities, the City Councils , Chamber of Commerce and the
school districts of our nation need to realize that in order for this
nation to continue to be an economic powerhouse and international influence
in commerce they must involve Black business women, men, entrepreneurs, and
provide equitable/equal employment chances. Military might and conflict
cannot influence economic stability and growth. Mentorship is a vital
piece of the economic equation, so businesses have to partner with
schools and provide mentors and role models to visit schools; how can
you encourage students to enter in careers of business, science,
technology, mathematics, commerce and economics if they cannot see
actual people in these positions especially Black youth and teens.

The biggest investment is in the holistic education of children from
early education until high school graduation. Education does not stop
at graduation; it is a continuous process of learning, discovery,
engagement and progress. Investment needs to be provided equally to
all parts of a city and communities, so all citizens can share in and
prosper in economic growth.



"A large part of crime is economics – if people are working
and have a home and family to support, then I believe you
can reduce the crime rate." Vincent Frank

BMWing – Black Men Working contribute to all cities economy,
foundational tax base and providing taxes for city services like
education and law enforcement. Black communities, Black children,
Black churches, Black families all deserve Black Men Working or BMWing.
They are good role models for Black youth and teens, male and female.

A Black man working brings money into their homes, they bring
economic stability and growth to their communities. That money
circulates and becomes stronger because it allows Black families
to enjoy prosperity and an infusion of economic hope. BMWing do
not stay in their homes they circulate in their communities,
visiting families and friends, spending monies to buy gas, snacks,
food, and provide monies to their children to also circulate in
the community.

When there are less and less BMWing there is less infusion of cash
and diminishing prosperity. This diminishing prosperity also affects
the hope of people. Stealing hope from families that may already be
struggling in poverty and lacking economic stability and education.
BMWing encourages educational success, because it is seen that the
more education you obtain the better career you can achieve and not
just a job (Just Over Broke).

There is no question that Black families influence community growth,
the more BMWing the greater economic prosperity. Stable and economically
viable Black families influence community growth and prosperity,
this opens doors for investment opportunities.There is value of
Black youth, teens and young people especially Black men to take
care of their families through employment and education.

An important piece of employment is education, as the economy
grows education should benefit with schools being provided
resources that encourage student learning, student achievement and
student graduation.

Simplistically the more educated a population is the stronger
the workforce is created; less criminal activity, lower poverty
rates, decreasing homelessness for families.
Seldom used term BMWing is a strong reminder that the
correlation between economic stability is not a new issue, but
an ongoing issue that is influenced by educational attainment
and economic opportunities.

All things work together for the betterment of families
through educational and economic potentials. This blog is not
just for Jacksonville, Florida where I'm a BMW, teaching over
20 years in elementary and higher education. This blog is
about this nation. America needs more BMWing, they reinforce
their communities, churches, schools and teach youth the
value and empowerment of honest employment and the
value of education. BMWing provides hope and hope decreases
fear, elimination of fear erodes self-doubt. Cities in order to
stop fearing Black youth and teens must provide economic
opportunities that open hope in Black communities. BMWing
is one way to stabilize communities and increase the hope of all
communities in the cities of this nation.

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste," United Negro College Fund

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

WJ, I know you don't ever seem to come back to your posts to respond, but if you happen by, maybe you can clarify this statement in your closing:

... Cities in order to stop fearing Black youth and teens must provide economic opportunities that open hope in Black communities.

I can only speak for myself, but it seems you wrote quite a few paragraphs saying all the right things, only to summarize it all up by blaming something other than the individual for their circumstance.

[Rob68]

I see soo many young black men just walking the streets.. its so sad. Growing older by the day and loosing skills that have been learned. Many fear them because the looks they bare. The lost stares. The angry looks and outburst of frustration. Im afraid of many because of their overwelming frustration of their life and they take it out on the world around them. So much loss so much pain. We cant just say pull yourself up by your bootstraps..if they have no or little personal skills there are no boots and no straps to pull upon. They are fading into oblivion and need a light. That said their heros of their world, the rappers pushing violence, the numb faced star who breeds contempt of the world, are leading them into the path of darkness and shame.  I see pictures on facebook of young black boys who never smile..just blank stares..thuggish looks..these are babies being taught that thats what a real man does...im lost as to where this is going to go...yes the white man started a fucked up society by not wanting to do the work himself and buying slaves ...but somethings gotta change..its not like the black man is going away..early education is primary and family intervention is a must if young black women are popping out babies like a pez dispenser. .just mho...have a great day all.

[I-10east]

^^^Well said. This is definitely an issue that many are afraid to talk about. Looking the other way, saying that everything is okay is good for political agendas but it's literally doing zilch to combat this issue. I could go on all day about this, but I'm not. I'm too outspoken and un-PC. 

[williamjackson]

Non-RedNeck Westsider
I do reply to those that post a question or comment so long as it is from a positive exchange
for a positive change that everyone grows from.

The  below quote means that in order to have positive change in the communities, to see more youth,
Black youth in general doing positive things, provide positive and productive outlets for them. To continue,
not just Blacks but all youth, I can relate to Black youth because I see more Black youth without resources
and opportunities. 
Cities,  as in the communities would not have a feeling of fear if more academic resources were available
and Black youth had positive and contributory skills.
Outside of sports and entertainment, but interaction with professionals that can show youth a different
way to seethe world and provide hope for success and positive exposure.

There needs to be training available for youth that have a desire to expand their skills for careers in other areas
not just college, there needs to be resources for internships not just during the summer, but the whole y ear,
there needs to be additional resources to show Black you that they can be police officers, firefighters,
construction workers, engineers, etc so Black you can see another side of life.
This will help not only the youth but the community itself because there would be increased positive contributions
and a empowered and educated workforce.
That is what this country needs, why can this country send BILLIONS of dollars to Iraq, Turkey, Israel, etc to
build their economies, create safe neighborhoods and strong militarizes when our communities need training centers
to re-train and re-educate youth, young adults and adults?
This is just my opinion, but when I hear of training centers in other countries that our country is funding, but
our youth go with out jobs and job opportunities and Black youth are ostracized, criticized and fear that is because
they lack hope and dignity  from lack of opportunities that are placed other places when we need those  resources here. 

... Cities in order to stop fearing Black youth and teens must provide economic opportunities that open hope in Black communities.

[williamjackson]

stephendare

You are correct about technology and education.

It is scary that so many businesses are coming to Cecil field but how many people in Jacksonville, Florida or Duval County really can work
in these companies. We cannot blame the foreigners coming here to work because they are qualified and motivated.
Jacksonville is rapidly becoming an international community and  society of technology based companies. Look at the Business Journal
and see the newest companies coming here for workers, not cheap employment, but serious jobs.
As a past STEAM / STEM educator I'm scared for our children because they will not be qualified, capable, nor motivated to
work in those jobs, WHY because of lack of exposure, lack of motivation, lack of hope, lack of role model exposure and lack of vision
by to many parents.
Now to say that, there are many good students that are successful, that grow, learn, graduate but they leave for
so called greener pastures. What are we doing to promote staying here, what are we doing to say hey Jacksonville you don't have to
leave for California or some place else here are the jobs and opportunities. I have been blogging about this for years and I get
criticized and ignored. Being a STEAM / STEM educator I try to share what I learn and  have learned with all my students from
the elementary schools I taught in to the college, in my blogs and even  when I speak at conferences and workshops.
Our community cannot afford to allow Black youth to fail because they are this cities and other cities future. Why allow
generations to fail, falter and loose hope because eventually this causes economic hardships, increased crime, death and
destruction of property and lives. Look at Detroit and Chicago they have a draining work force, under-educated citizens from
18 to 30, these are the ages that they should be working and contributing through jobs,  paying taxes and volunteering in schools
and our non-profit organizations helping others. Instead there is increasing death, unemployment, underemployment and
loss of hope.
I'm one parent, one educator, one Black man and one citizen praying and working to make a difference.
What will our future look like if we, yes we continue to let Black  youth, poor white youth, youth of color continue to fail.
That is a scary thought and a bleek future for Jacksonville, we will have a community of haves and have nots and true
terrorism that is home grown. We won't have to worry about ISIS or the Taliban we  have them now in the gangs that are
in our cities and the increasing homeless boys and girls that are losing or have no hope. How do you think those that are
the Taliban, ISIS and others started. They were deprived, ignored, denied, and allowed to fester in anger.
We as a nation are not learning from our past mistakes....