Money Equals Freedom: Part II
“White privilege allows you to operate in color blindness without choosing to be either a foe or ally in the war against discrimination against black people.”
True story: I have two vanilla friends: Janet and Rocco. They are both of the vanilla persuasion. Now, we’re all in the same cohort. Janet has never used credit. She’s 30, and yet she’s never had to use credit. But let’s dissect Janet’s backstory a little. She was born in Maine. Her parents are wealthy. She didn’t have to go into debt to complete college. She has a savings account of at least $4000.00 on average and she lives with great roommates. Now let’s look at Rocco. He’s from the country of Wyoming. He only has a Bachelor’s degree from a film school in TN. He’s had the same vehicle for over a decade and it’s paid for. He can make major purchases with no trouble. He is currently a top leading adjunct professor at a university. Remember, he only has a Bachelor’s degree.
Janet and Rocco are white. The rules are not the same for them. The level of support is different.
Now here is where their privilege comes into play. Despite the fact that I’m making almost six figures in my new position, my credit score falls within the 500 range which is considered poor. I am undesirable on any application for credit whether it be for a vehicle or apartment. The irony is someone who makes ten times less than me with a score above 670 is able to purchase anything he or she pleases despite the fact that on paper he or she isn’t able to afford the expense. But the rules are even different for blacks.
“White privilege is also a component of generational wealth.”
Janet and Rocco come from what’s called “generational wealth.” Their grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. were able to work and pull themselves up by their bootstraps as it pertained to finances. Well, my grandfather was a sharecropper at my age. My great-grandparents were sharecroppers, and their parents were slaves. There is no generational wealth in my family. Back to Janet and Rocco, their interpretation or stereotypical perspective of someone like me is somehow I haven’t made smart decisions as it pertains to my finances. I need a co-signer on a loan because I’m irresponsible. It is my parents duty to fend for me. Yet, that’s where their privilege comes into play. They fail to recognize the circumstances that align with my background do not allow me to fend for myself as easily as the two of them.
The reality is I am smart, talented, and a good person. I work hard, and I do the right thing. I’m not a bum, and I don’t fit the stereotype for a big, black man like myself. Stop judging me based on preconceived perceptions because when you do, you are buying into the discriminatory paradigm that equally aligns with this country’s dysfunctional system of oppression and social, chaotic distress. It fascinates me how money truly is the root of all evil. It’s not the actual item, but its representation and how it can make or break one’s life. It drives people to commit acts of violence and terror. This is why the connotation behind it needs to be changed. We need laws to be changed. Every single person in this country should start off with a perfect credit score like you would in school. My students every semester start off with an A. Now it is up to them to keep that A, but each student has a fair shot. Yet, when it comes to credit so many people automatically start off with F’s and no recourse to bring that poor grade up. That’s not right.
Lastly, we have to change how things are done in our community. We need competent leaders. We need qualified educators. We need compassionate activists. We don’t need fame whores. We don’t need political scavengers. We don’t need false prophets. We don’t need snakes. Ironically, I recently viewed a post on social media. I chuckled to myself because a group of my own gathered together for a fancy yacht party. No facial masks. No social distancing. There were more than 6 people gathered, but that’s not what struck me. What struck me was the fact that the majority of those gathered are leaders in a popular worship center who have spoken out diligently against the brutal killings of black folks. But my thing is, what message are you sending? The cost of such an excursion could go do wonders for the black community in Music City. When God blesses you it is only right for you to bless others? My conclusion of this incident is those individuals are not true leaders of the church. Now I do believe in celebrating your wealth. I do believe in doing things for yourself, but when you preach to others a “pauper’s gospel” but don’t adhere to your own principles I have a problem.
After this conclusion some may ask, where do we go from here? Well, we need to get serious about protecting our community and making sure generations to come are able to succeed. My cousin “Ross” posted something profound on his social media page. I’m going to provide a link at the bottom, but it is truly inspiring. It is something that we need to implement. The white dollar doesn’t equal the right dollar. The black dollar doesn’t equate a spoiled dollar, and lastly the current credit system wasn’t designed for us. That wall of oppression must come down.
Here’s the link to “Economic Wealth” Tips by my wonderful cousin, Karlton Ross: http://www.moving4wardproductions.com/economic-freedom-by-karlton-ross