Originally Posted by EricSilver

Let's forget the stats and focus on the family issues, since I appear to have been snoozing on that one.

It's true that the "Amos & Andy" era was, in fact, a healthier time for Black families, black business and thus black communities. How ironic that the social policies and programs that were supposed to "help" actually did more harm.

Integration, in practice, already existed. The emphasis and pressure for Blacks to be more represented in the mainstream was well intentioned, but was done at the expense of social values and structures that were already intact. Where the Civil Rights movement failed was, in 1965, not recognizing that the legal battle had been won, and it was now up to the individual(s) to protect those rights. No one else could, or should, do it. Seeing more Black faces on TV would make people happy, and inspire many, but would not solve the core problems of Black communities.

The energy and resources expended on many social programs was simply useless since it instilled sense a dependency, or reinforced a sense of weakness and inadequacy, rather than creating confident independence. The time and money would have been better spent on local/community business development, school/education improvement, and other practical endeavors that build a sustainable capital base.

Today, many people (Jackson, Sharpton et al) think economic prosperity can be achieved politically, and they are plainly wrong because they put the cart before the horse. Economic power begets political power, not vice versa, the Jews being a perfect example.

Obviously, a shift in focus from politics to business is required, and is occurring. Where many people see hopelessness in segments of the Black community, I see boundless opportunity, as that is where new business/economic development, geared to correct many deficiencies, will be rooted.