In 1921, a community in Tulsa Oklahoma tried to reverse the curse by unifying the Black dollar. Also known as the “Black Wall Street”; this community consisted of folks who kept their money inside their community. The community featured several Black business owners who operated everything from a bank to an airport. Ultimately the community was burned down by angry, racist white folks; but it did existed. The existence of “Black Wall Street” should serve some type of proof that Black folks have the ability to make a difference within their communities.
The problem that the Black community faces is the willingness to commit to that change. “We need to look at our money as a weapon and if you’re in a fight, would you give your weapon to your enemy?” Crawford asked the audience during the meeting. Are we as a community ready to look at our collective success as a fight? If so; are we prepared to fight that fight? It seems that Black folks either don’t realize the significance of supporting their own or don’t care. That’s why people like Malcolm Crawford are so important to the Black communities. “Every time you go in your pocket, no matter who it is—the gas station, the grocery store, whoever it is—if there is no benefit for you, you shouldn’t be in there.” Crawford said. Why help people that don’t help you? The time is to take action and give to those that give back to us.
Info provided by: http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/2-24-2015/Austin-businessman-relives-local-economic-history-/