As African-Americans slip further and further into economic and social chaos it has become abundantly clear that the current methods of fighting poverty have failed.
The nearly 4000 shootings in Chicago in 2016 of which 674 were fatal, the unemployment rate for African-Americans at nearly twice the national average and the poverty rate of 27 percent for African-Americans is ample proof that a change in direction in needed in fighting poverty.
For too long African-Americans have depended on the government and the established business community to provide us with jobs, education and sustenances. Because of this dependency we
have the worst schools, the lowest paying jobs and unsafe neighborhoods.
The solution to the problem is clear, we must start to depend on ourselves and take responsibility for our actions—that’s where Bill Cosby comes in.
Now, I know there is going to be some blowback because I said that Bill Cosby was right. After all, he has been vilified in the press but I believe in this case and probably in most cases the message is more important than the messenger.
No matter what you may think of Bill, his words in 2014 are as true today as they were when he spoke of the need for African-Americans to take responsibility for our actions.
In addition to Bill Cosby’s recommendations, I want to add my own which includes the need for African-Americans to build a $1 trillion investment fund to be used to build African American
businesses that will create jobs and generate prosperity in the black community.
It is time for African-Americans to take action and save our communities.
Elie Parker
San Leandro, CA