5 Things Black Women Can Do To Move Us Forward

In the "State of Black America" report issued in 2008 by the National Urban League, its president Marc Morial hailed women as “the backbone of the black family." The strength of black woman has rightfully been echoed in songs, film and literature. With such an important role within the community, Atlanta Black Star has highlighted areas in which our women have excelled, but with an honest look at additional things we can do to move forward to create a better community. Faith Matters Holding our institutions accountable. Black folks in general are more committed to their faith than most other groups in the nation. According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey conducted in 2007 by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, "87 percent of African-Americans described themselves as belonging to one religious group or another." In addition, "more than 8-in-10 black women (84 percent) say religion is very important to them, and roughly 6-in-10 (59 percent) say they attend religious services at least once a week." Horace Baldwin author of “The Black Church is the Black Community’s Cornerstone,” wrote that the black church can be used as a "vehicle of social change.” As the largest active members of the church, black women must hold the church accountable for uplifting and maintaining the community. We have already outlined what the black churches can do to move us forward, including transforming black buying power into black wealth, and investing tithes and offerings into black-owned businesses. As a community it is important that everyone acts in the best interest of the group. The church is the pillar of the community and its congregation must hold it accountable. Health Matters Using our voice where it matters. Black Girls Run! In the past few years, the organization Black Girls Run has helped diminish the myth that black women don't exercise. While more young women are taking to the tracks and changing their eating habits to boot, the obesity, cancer and diabetes rates among African-Americans remain disproportionately high when compared to whites. The reasons for this range from genetics to disparities between low and high income communities. For instance, low income communities are filled with unhealthy fast food and takeout restaurants with little healthy and affordable options in sight. According to a 2013 study by UCLA, for every mile a person lives from a fast-food restaurant their body mass index dropped by 2.4. In 2008, researchers at Yale University found that "healthy foods are significantly less available and that produce tends to be of poorer quality in low-income areas than in wealthier neighborhoods." According to Jessica Anderson in an article written for the Huff Post on health disparities: "If one is born into a circumstance that provides less-than-optimal access to basics like healthy, fresh food; safe areas to exercise; and accessible medical care, it stands to reason that one’s health will suffer in the long run." The power of petitions in the social media age has proven to be a useful tool. Any commercial business in our neighborhood is there to serve. If that service is not being provided or is against our best interests, it warrants a protest. Wealth Matters Closing the gap. For various sensitive, complex reasons, African-American women have unfortunately shouldered most of the burden of taking care of our families. The widespread and devastating impact reflects in the wealth gap of blacks compared to whites. A 2010 report titled "Lifting as We Climb: Women of Color, Wealth and America's Future" found that "while single white women in the prime of their working years (ages 36 to 49) have a median wealth of $42,600 (still only 61 percent of their single white male counterparts), the median wealth for single black women is only $5." The wealth, or net worth, "measures the total of one's assets -- cash in the bank, stocks, bonds and real estate; minus debts -- home mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and student loans." While the solution to this daunting problem is complex, one clear solution is to make better investment choices. The biggest obstacle to investing is time, which is potentially free. It takes little to invest but requires the time to research and make the best choices. Investments can range from life insurance to stocks, IRAs, retirement and mutual funds. Family Matters Equality starts at home. Responsible boys and girls grow to be responsible men and women. With higher high school and college graduation rates, lower unemployment rates and higher rates of home ownership, there is little doubt that black women are faring better than black men in America. While the debate may rage on about the battle of the sexes, on who is smarter or stronger, the reality is that our boys are not performing on par with their female counterparts. Explanations for this phenomenon abound, however, responsibility begins in the home. Little girls are often forced to be more responsible while boys are granted more freedom. The adage, "boys will be boys" can no longer be used as an excuse for raising irresponsible boys. Research has shown that children who grow up with strong, positive values are happier, do better in school and make positive contributions to society. In contrast, if children do not learn proper values and behavior when they are very young, problems can develop that may lead to dropping out of school, drug use, violent crime and other issues. Community/Race Matters Take buying black to the next level. To say there has been a resurgence of African-American women embracing their natural hair is an understatement. But before this resurgence, black women in 2010 spent nearly $8 billion on hair care and personal grooming items, according to Target Market News. The natural hair movement has pushed the market to produce products and services that cater to maintaining our natural hair. It has also spawned a slew of black-owned business offering products and services for women with natural and chemically-processed hair. Despite the positive turn of events, the bulk of revenue in the hair- care business is being funneled to roughly 9,000 Korean-owned beauty supply stores. Actor-comedian Chris Rock's controversial film "Good Hair" highlighted the barriers for black businesses entering the beauty business. The manufacturers are controlled by Korean merchants who many believe have discriminated against blacks to help preserve their monopoly. With the newly found momentum on our side, black women can successfully shift the tide by making a concerted effort to buy black or at least ensure that a black-owned company is embedded in the supply a chain. For example, we can patronize a black-owned beauty salon and beauty supply shop, and request black-owned products in Asian-owned beauty supply stores. If we can keep the television network Oxygen from airing Shawty Lo's "My Baby Mamas," surely we can force the hand of Korean manufacturers and destroy their monopoly. Ken Smikle of Target Market News puts it nicely: “Consumers have economic buying power that needs to be used better in their own self-interest. African-American consumers should be asking if the brand (or store) they are purchasing from is making a contribution to the black community or investing in the black consumer market.”

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