5 Reasons why Black People don't SUPPORT? by @KEVINFERERE
What goes through your mind?
Do you say to yourself, "why is this person requesting me to support them out of all people?"
"What would I be getting in return for such unwarranted solicitation?"
"How would I be perceived amongst my peers for all this free marketing of an individual unbeknownst to them?"
"I mean, after all, what value is this person's endeavor to me, nor the circle I associate myself with, for me to merit such generous promotion?"
The thing about favors is that they involve a borrower and a lender. One of the most unsettling relationships known to man. One thing I've learned in business, is that this kind of relationship is a law of nature in the business world. Yet socially, we have a long way to go.
The cancer of our American, Western upbringing is that we are taught to separate money from love, separate money from sex, separate money from friendship. Whether you'd like to accept it or not. This is truly asinine. This is how we end up separating business from society. This is where people develop this pomp attitude of "I don't like people selling me things". This is where the people most close and familiar to you go limp on you when they realize you're serious about your occupation
There is something very submissive and humiliating about asking for support. And I do say humiliating in the good way. As in having the courage and wisdom to understand that you do need help, and you can't do it alone. Now, this humility is liable to being subject to the opportunity of ridicule. After all, to subject yourself to ask for support, is in essence exalting those before you, and requesting an acceptance of some sort.
On the flip-side of the coin, those being beckoned upon, have the option of perceiving this attention in many ways, based on their perception of business in a social realm. The most understanding way would be to see this person's efforts and humility as being a noble gesture. And for them to see you worthy enough to as much ask of for any support of you is endearing in and of itself. You would also understand that such good deeds are always rewarded bountifully in the grand scheme of things, despite whether you may realize it instantly or not. Good karma keeps a clean heart. These views generate from an understanding of business, whereas, you need to give in order to get.
As for those who perceive someone asking them for support as something negative:
- Obviously you don't understand business, simply because A) you've never operated one or B) you've always worked under a business, so punching a clock, collecting a check, and getting by is as far as support goes in your narrow mind. (nothing wrong with punching a clock though, it's necessary)
- You think supporting others will eventually get them ahead of you and leave you in the dust in "The Race" of insecurity in your mind because you don't see yourself as valuable enough to support anyone.
- You're fear (fear is self-defeating, we all know this) of being associated with this person's business, and promoting them more than you already promote yourself is a blow to your pride.
- Or you have a personal vendetta with that person or what it is that person is about and your pride won't allow you to support them, even though you know what they're doing is productive, constructive, healthy, and necessary to your community.
- You're simply, as they say "ain't 'bout shit", irresponsible, unreliable, etc., etc.
WOOOOOSAAAAAAAAAH!!!
So what does this have to with Black People, you ask??? Weeeeeeeeell, black people in America are a historically oppressed people. This institutional form of oppression breeds a mentality and antagonistic attitude towards unity, community, unselfishness, the successes of others, and most importantly...SUPPORT. This is simply because being oppressed and oppression being all you've ever seen, the positive attributes mentioned are foreign to you. That mentality and attitude gets perpetuated from generation to generation, and the people as a whole never accomplish anything.
In order to support, it requires pulling or pushing someone UP. That's the keyword. In order to push or pull someone down, you must already be down yourself. Need I say more?
Now, by all means, if you feel as though the person summoning you isn't in your lane, or you genuinely don't have a personal interest in what it is they're promoting; you have every right to not support them. Yet support shouldn't be based upon interest. It should be based upon mutual respect.
I say this in dating, in the same way I apply it to business. It's not enough to just respect your partner, but you must ALSO support them.
So with that said...GIT UP OFF YO' ASS!!!
View these old YT vids I posted back in '09. Very relevant.
INVEST IN THE BRAND!
http://www.prosperunlimited.com
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