This Day in Black History

It must be Black History Month.

Today the DC Lottery has introduced their newest scratch off game honoring the negro league. It's a $5 dollar ticket and you can win up to $50,000 bucks.

This is too much.

It is amazing to me that Black History Month's main corporate sponsors are check cashing places, UPN, fast food, malt liquor, and now lotteries. While I applaud anyone who wants to appeal to black culture (because it helps other enterprises think about doing so) it is ridiculous that these barely veiled marketing attempts are the main corporate supporters of BHM.

Drinking, gambling, and the rip off cashing industries all appeal to society's underclass. While Black people are definitely a part of this underclass we are all but ignored when it comes to say... national elections we are taken for granted and forgotten. These industries prey upon the underclass hoping that their totally ridiculous products aren't exposed for the cheap substitutes for a real solution: WATER or even middle grade alcohol. Saving for prosperity instead of wasting it on chance. Getting a bank account which leads to other wealth building activities. (Savings accounts are like the gateway drug to investing.)

Other industries, such as fast food, appeal across the board but their horrible food is appreciated more by the underclass because the price seems right. Of course the food isn't healthy and it's always cheaper to make your own food. They find with wealth fast food becomes more of a second placating option for soccer moms and parents who want a quick fix to appeal their kids. In our minority neighborhoods, fast food is a lifestyle.

There are some good players in this. Toyota is among several companies who have taken interest in Black communities. Knowing that their products are needed by all they take notice that minorities want a decent car that is reliable. Whoever can show them this car first and with the best pitch is the winner. When you look through a Black Enterprise issue you can finally see some companies that "get it".

As a whole, I am appreciative of any company that would put money into really celebrating BHM by bringing to the forefront Black stars of the past that may have been overlooked by the shadow of MLK or Malcolm X. If the DC lottery had a MLK or Ali game I would be pissed. I guess, as long as some good comes out of it, Black people will have to embrace the efforts of even the cigarette companies as they try to tie their products closer to our people. Sad, but until our pockets of wealth reflect white society closer we still have to make our own opportunities and take the charity of those who invest sincerely in our heritage.

We've come a long way, baby.