Anon. said - "So you just found out the root of the urban crisis? 'Just hire yourself, young man.'".
Exactly.
Every bad neighborhood has a sub economy.
Whether it's the lady who sells frozen Kool-Aid cups and candy, or the woman who braids hair, or even the guy who does every ones lawn.
Productive people always find a way to produce.
Some people scoff at the idea of selling oranges at the side of the freeway - but not me.
At least these guys are working.
Not complaining.
Not begging.
These guys (even at the micro-level) understand the value of "The Hustle".
People who paint addresses on curbs can make $100-$400 a day.
Part time.
Tax Free.
How do you think most big businesses started?
By providing a service to a demographic which was under served.
But no, Anon., starting a shoeshine company was not my answer to underemployment in urban areas.
Understanding the concept of "The Hustle" is.
Well said. My dad personified this. He worked as an accountant during the day, had a barbershop, and in that shop had a shoe shine stand which my brother manned as a boy and young teen, did taxes during the season.
ReplyDeleteLong before that he he grew up in a family of farmers, and what they didn't eat, I'm sure they sold on the side of the road or in town.
I think that what he and you called the hustle is almost a lost art in this culture where labor is confined more to cubicles and store counters, we've learned to over-depend on big businesses for our survival.
As so many of them are sinking, we aren't collectively doing as well. I wonder how possible it will be for the masses to return to the old ways, but I'll bet my dad would have some solutions.
oooh, I do like the little itsy bitsy bikini.
ReplyDelete@ doll - I shoulda' warned brohammas about that shot.
ReplyDelete@ KIT - I think (for many) things within the hood were better before the end of Segregation.
Back in the day, people knew they had to work.
Back in the day, people had a sense of community.
Back in the day, we had a village.
Do I want to go back to Segregation?
Heck no.
But I DO wish we didn't squnder our recent progress and begin to immitate those who oppressed.
If we took our old values and added them to our new opportunities - we would all be a lot better off.
The hustle is going on in urban environments all the time: It's called the drug trade.
ReplyDelete@ Anon. - Short term fix with long term problems.
ReplyDeleteAnon was being simple minded.
ReplyDeleteUBJ: I've often thought the same thing regarding segregation. A year ago I was doing research about a district in my town called King-Lincoln. Mt. Vernon Ave. (now run down and crack infested) used to be the heart of the black community here.