As the saying goes, “you don’t miss a good thing until it’s gone.”
The Montgomery Bus Boycott is one of the best examples of how organizing can make a change. Rosa Parks will forever be associated with the infamous Montgomery Bus Boycott due to her refusal to give up her seat to a white man.
She was arrested and fined for her noncompliance, which sparked the organizing of the boycott that took place from Dec. 5, 1955 to Dec. 20, 1956 (381 days). The economic impact this had on public transportation in the city was great, but the loss of African-American support was greater as they coordinated and found other means to get to and from work and other places.
Today, African Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually, so to lose support of the black community and its buying power would be detrimental to any business. It is important to acknowledge and understand the value of having a diverse consumer base and appreciating the revenue that comes from it.
When it was recently reported that a business owner told a customer they do not want black people in their business, this was disappointing to learn and was especially hurtful that it was a local business.
There were instances over the past year where a few local businesses had protests happen at their establishments because of racially insensitive words that were said either verbally or via social media. It is time to demand for the insensitivity to stop. We may all be different colors, but American money is green and should be valued the same regardless of who it comes from.
As we continue to recover and rebuild locally from the impact of the pandemic, be mindful that offensive speech, non-inclusive and inequitable business practices, can be catalysts for a movement such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which would further hinder growth and revitalization and most importantly cause undue strain and tension among the community.
The bottom line is, we will shop where we are wanted, so hopefully that is at every business.
Dr. ERIN HOUSTON is president and CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League.
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