Black History Month (BHM) 2020 – 15 suggestions for sustainable black empowerment – Part 4

BY ERROL A. GIBBS

Part 4: Summary is the conclusion of the last three suggestions 13, 14, and 15. These 15 suggestions are by no means the full spectrum of concerns and observations regarding black empowerment or lack thereof. Neither are these suggestions a call for a consulting engagement, a mandate, a commission, nor a demand for action. Instead, this writer rests his expectations on one hope.

The hope is to inspire a new dialogue among politicians, judiciary, academics, educators, intellectuals, community advocates, religious ministers, and industrialists about black empowerment. To study, analyze, and seek permanent remedies for structural and endemic problems in society to enable “egalitarian” growth. Let us continue from Part 3: Suggestion Number 12.

Suggestion Number 13: Financial Services Perspective: Some people fall victim to financial schemes that rob them of their retirement savings, especially vulnerable elders and people of faith. Regulatory agencies adjudicate client complaints with “forensic nobility,” but it remains a painful and fruitless experience for some people. This faculty could call for greater financial services security surveillance to protect individuals from greed and exploitation by the principals of some financial services organizations.

These observations point to the need for business school curriculums to address the link between “business practice” and “business ethics.” Likewise, the connection between “business success” and “client care,” which are the essentials to foster strong business growth, repeat customers, and referrals. Faculty numbers 12 and 13 could collaborate to pen a “Code of Ethics” as salient to achieving a prestigious Black Professional Business Certification (BPBC) to underpin the proposition of the “Ten Knowledge Areas of Black Business Administration.”

Suggestion Number 14: A Medical (Healthcare) Perspective: Praise to the black community for its awareness of the myriad of signature diseases that affect the black family such as diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia minor. This faculty could seek Research & Development funding to create greater awareness of lifestyle challenges and the gestation period of these diseases and to advocate for a more significant mitigation services agenda.

This strategy should engage minority student bodies as part of a national campaign, which should also include the medical concerns of Indigenous peoples as part of the inquiry. Another potent strategy could be to elevate health services designated “extended healthcare” such as dental and vision care to “primary care.” Some of these services fall outside of the “affordability gap” for many uninsured (the working poor). These initiatives will lower the financial burden of the National Healthcare Insurance (NHI) system in the future.

Suggestion Number 15: A Political Perspective: To a greater or lesser extent, the opposing ideological worldview of “capitalism” and “socialism” undergirds Western political leadership. These two systems of government often mirror the functioning of the two major political parties that exist in Western democracies. Other political ideologies lie somewhere in between, as partisan disagreements that rise to its apex every election cycle, dampening the aspirations of national unity.

Gratifyingly, the political discourse in Canada politely engenders a higher sense of “national tolerance.” Herein lies an excellent opportunity for national unity to undergird an “egalitarian” society that eludes many countries. Ones’ family heritage, social class, wealth, and power influence the ascension to political leadership despite the higher ideals of democracy. The ideal proposition is to jettison political parties, as the preeminent model for the leadership of nations.

This forward-looking faculty could start the process of assessing the practicality of a “skills-based” as opposed to “party-based” electoral process. Every political hopeful should take up residency with a mega-corporation to understand how it functions principally as a “skills-based” model, with budgets in the billions of dollars. Some corporations have millions of employees and manage thousands of entities ―successfully ―unfettered from party politics.

Afterword: The collective progress of a people is the real measure of their growth and empowerment. Hence, emphasis should be “group awards” for achievements in fields such as business and finance, economics, science and technology, engineering, human resources management, law, medicines, industrial design, robotics, supply chain management, manufacturing, and program, project, and construction management.

Praise to the many individuals and organizations that offer scholarships to youths with high aspirations. Black parents should encourage their children to heighten their participation in their communities through volunteerism and to engage in science-based education and research. There is also a critical need for black philanthropists to help with Research & Development funding to establish new forums for scientific investigations and study among youths.

Black parents and youths must also demonstrate selfless love and loyalty for family members and others. Family breakdown removes the veil of parental control, leadership, and mentorship. Your differences are “reconcilable.” Violence is not a solution. It heightens the likelihood of incarceration, economic hardship, social isolation, and generational poverty. Your strength is in a higher moral authority, your African heritage, and in your hidden industrious genius ―in waiting.