Vision Circle

My answers would be Ujamaa and 'Invisiblack' capitalism, for they're both more organic -- if I may use that word -- than Blackface (tokenism) or Black capitalism (tenant farming). I tend to see Ujamaa and Invisiblackism (?) as the paradigms that best represent what Dr. King envisioned. Black capitalism strikes me as an unintended form of racism; market activity predicated on stereotypes.

What category does Magic Johnson's growing network of businesses fall into? His Johnson Development Corp. for the most part partners with well established brands to create a presence in the long neglected black community.

Shaq is beginning to follow that model as well.

Great definitions, Cobb. Y'all need a wiki/glossary up in hurr.

* not sure about blackface cap as "good." neutral, at best. haven't we passed the point where we should get excited over a product aimed at our unique skin/hair/genitalia/beer tastes?

* as far as i see it, black cap is the main thing. invisiblack is nice, but it's more symbolic, expanding the dreamscape of what's possible. but that's ever only going to be possible for a few of us. it's about upgrading the bulk.

* i wonder if our biggest asset, collectively, is our culture itself. every now and again i fret that the hippidity will one day no longer be exploitable. wot then?

Blackface is important because of all the four, when this one is done wrong, it gets the most static. As a market demographic, African Americans are pretty damned particular. You can't overdo it, but you've got to do it.

Fzample, take 'Soul Plane'. On the other hand, take Newport and Kool.

cobb:

ya killin' me with these definitions...if ujamaa is simply that class of economic activity, your definition is entirely your own - and not related to anything outside what's expedient for your end game. don't you have another definition and a stronger example to typify that definition?

btw, the red stripe commercials are HILARIOUS...there are about four of them and they are the principal sponsor for ESPN's #1 talk show Pardon The InterruPTIon (PTI) "starring" two Washington Post/nationally syndicated writers - Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser.

there's another commercial where the jamaican cat says "when an ugly person stands next to a red stripe, they become beautiful..." and he asks a "short, stubby" white dude, "You sir, would you say you're ugly?" and the guy stammers a bit. the jamaican guy says, "You are very ugly." and then holds the bottle up to his face and then says he beautiful..."red stripe...the beer in the short, stubby, ugly bottle" or something like that...first time I saw it, I was on the flooooor.

i wouldn't be surprised if this guy is in movies sometime soon...his deadpan delivery and comedic timing are excellent.

and that's black face because to the best of my recollection DG (Desnoes and Geddes) is a white-owned company...they also make Ting and Ginger Beer and several other products...if ya haven't tried a Ting, run out and get a carton...you won't be sorry.

Well, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying blaceface cap doesn’t serve a purpose. But in the context of the most powerful strains of black economics (as you’ve defined), blackface cap doesn’t do much for me. Not anymore. Back in the day I might flip through an Ebony and be warmed by the image of some hep cat burning a Kool, but not anymore.

[mind you, ads featuring my Caribbean bredrin toast all my cockles – but that’s a far more specific niche. And anyway funny is funny.]

But generally, nowadaze I shrug. I take it for granted. And, I dare say, say do most of us. There’s no special thrill in seeing a Black person featured in a Coke ad anymore. And that’s a good thing. (Is that what you highbrows call “normative?”)

“If I can see it, then I can do it” croons the Kelly. And there’s something to that. But it’s essential value, that of Imagineering via print, screen and frequency modulation our ambitions of mainstream validation/acceptance, is much less nowadaze. Recognition that we matter a little, that we count (if only in an economics context), barely registers for me. Time to pull hard on the next rung.

p.s. after Ting, move "up" to Champagne Cola.

Well I suppose that we could include the African Marketplace and the Black Family Reunion in the Ujamaa category, but you have to understand that Karenga was under the influence of socialism when he came up with the concept. It has always been assumed of capitalism that 'we can't do it' as in, we won't be allowed to do it.

also try this:
http://thetalkingdrum.com/mkt.html

what is it but local villiage stuff? it's not industrial production.

"what is it but local villiage stuff? it's not industrial production."

heh! cobb be lookin for a rumble. i suppose some Ujamaanites (?) might say, "so? 'corporations' is a western (white) ideal. small scale is our way." or so the stereotype goes.

batter up.

*runs to the cupboard for some white cheddar popcorn*

Yeah all those ujaamanites are wearing Timberlands.

Seriously, let's check out these guys: the BusinessMakers at HistoryMakers.

I might love you like a play cousin, but I can't do your work for you. You bring the link, you generate the stink...checked out 2 of 'em...1 was straight uuuujjjj selling food to black folks...and the other cat ran tire dealerships selling african rubber from sierra leone for white folks...cool stuff.

doesn't build your case.