Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #500.

Preface: I do not know how many entries will address this topic.  Nor do I pretend to be an expert who will present a practical solution.  There have been numerous attempts to address the problem of why blacks seem stuck at the bottom of the economic ladder.  As is often the case when addressing a problem, particularly one that is complex, proposed solutions tend to focus more on symptoms rather than the cause.  Further, when trying to address a social problem, “political correctness” and/or political party affiliation tenda to interfere with an objective analysis of the problem and possible solutions. 

Entry #514 closed with this paragraph: Why have blacks not made more progress and remain stuck at the bottom? Is it a lack of ambition? Is the cause a mentality that continues to believe white society owes black something for actions of slaveholders more than 6-7 generations ago?  While the statement might seem preposterous, can it at least partially be the cause? Anecdotal evidence might provide some clues. 

Anecdotal evidence #1.  Since relocating to Charlotte more than 25 years ago, we’ve been exposed to a bit of the culture of what one might label as the “old south.”  When we first met long-time southerners, usually within a few minutes of beginning the conversation, we were asked questions along the lines of,  “What church do you belong to?” Soon thereafter came question #2, “Where are your people from?” 

From a “Yankee’s” perspective, these questions seem designed to establish one’s credibility as a southerner.   In terms of church hierarchy, Southern Baptist churches seem to rank #1. (BTW, for many southerners, synagogues are somehow considered really churches that Jews happen to attend.)

As far as the “your people” question, I’ve never understood the meaning other than if you’re relatives were north of the Mason Dixon line, then you’re to be viewed with great suspicion.  The essence of these questions seems to be, “we are still fighting the Civil War and you Yankees are not welcome here.“  (Think I should quit wearing a sweatshirt with a picture General Sherman carrying a torch in one hand?}

If you think these questions are continuing today, a couple of weeks ago my regular golfing partner and I were teamed up with two gentlemen in their mid-60’s.  One was a Charlotte native who proceeded to tell me on about the 5th hole that all the Yankees who had relocated were ruining Charlotte.

How does the “old south” attitude affect the behavior of blacks?  I never considered what I’m about to write as legitimate until drafting this entry. Blacks still may consider themselves somewhat under the thumb of the white man.  Yes, I know that seems absurd after 160 years since slavery, but I can’t think of a better reason.  The attitude of “invisible slavery“ seems to lead to a desire for retribution.

Anecdotal evidence #2, pine straw.  If you live in parts of the south, and your neighborhood has an HOA with any kind of authority, pine straw becomes a regular lawn maintenance item. At least once per year, you hire someone to deliver, spread, and rake bales upon bales of pine straw.

After our lawn service guy went to prison for tax evasion, we would hire people who came through the neighborhood with a truck and a trailer filled with bales of pine straw. For several years, we relied on the same gentleman – black man from South Carolina – to replenish the pine straw. His work was passable, and seemed a bit expensive. Overall grade, C.

Then our neighbor hired a man from Central America to do some yardwork and shrub trimming. We hired him as well and based on job performance, asked if he could do pine straw.  “Yes.”  He did a much better job than the other gentleman, at half the price, and was available via text for other yard maintenance.

As in many neighborhoods, word of mouth is a highly credible source of information.  Now the Hispanic gentleman does lawn-maintenance work for a substantial portion of the neighborhood. After about three years of hard work, his equipment has gone from an old, rather beat up pick-up truck to two new trucks with trailers, and a couple more employees.

How about the original guy, the black man from South Carolina? He still comes by but complains about the Hispanic guy taking away his business. “He’s too aggressive and he doesn’t charge enough.”  But has the black man changed his business model or lowered his price?  No.  He just complains.

What do these anecdotes tell us?  While anecdotal evidence is not proof, such evidence is worth evaluating for underlying causes or trends that should be studied more.  The stories here and a number of other casual observations suggest there might be an attitude among blacks, or at least certain blacks, which has prevailed for many decades.

Attitudes, regardless of the cause, do not automatically change when laws are implemented or changed.  Attitudes evolve over time by a willingness of those affected to make a change.  For blacks, the model for changing being stuck at the bottom of the economic ladder could be one that has worked for every other immigrant group. 

The model for change is to look ahead and encourage and support the entire family getting an education. Under this emphasis-on-education model, within a generation or two, the payoff for many immigrant families has been a substantial.  The payoff has been a major improvement in economic well-being. 

Education does not necessarily imply only college but includes the skilled trades.  The model also discourages sustained welfare. The formula: education and hard work pay dividends.

Future entries will attempt to address:

• Busing.  Is busing helping or hurting blacks?  Is busing intensifying resistance within the broader community to support public education?

• Affirmative Action.  What is the underlying cause of the decline in black admissions to certain universities following the SCOTUS restrictions on affirmative action tell us?  Are blacks not as qualified and/or do they not put forth the effort to learn? 

No doubt other issues will evolve as the series progresses. Stay tuned. END ENTRY #515

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