Bob Nicholas.com

I enjoyed reading today the State of Black America 2010 released by the National Urban League.   You can read the Executive Summary here: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SOBA

I’ve highlighted some of the high level results of this research that I found interesting.

One example of something that I find interesting is the obesity rates.  Consider that black children are more likely to be low income than white children (according to this and a bazillion other surveys); therefore they are forced to eat lower cost foods which contain more fat, sugar, etc. causing them to have a poorer diet than their white peers. 

It is interesting how some of the frustrations I have come to experience with the inner city matrix, and destruction of town squares with urban sprawl moving higher income and higher educated people out cities, causing the median income in those cities to fall sharply over the last 30 years.  Consider that this sick transition has lead to:

(a) Less availability of educational options due to a lower income and smaller population,

(b) Increase in marketing by low cost food vendors toward an inner city population.  Just listen to a McDonalds commercial and the music they use, very urban.

(c) Lack of focus by Government on inner city growth and improvements, because the money to support their campaigns primarily comes from those with money, who no longer reside in the inner city.

(d) Significant increases in city tax rates to account for a smaller population, causing (1) more strain on already lower income households, (2) lack of family property ownership in lower income families b/c they can’t pay the taxes, and (3) higher taxes driving out those with money who can choose to live in areas with lower taxes.

There is a myriad of other adverse affects on society but I’m tired of typing.  It is very frustrating to see that we, as a society, caused this problem.  This is not some remnant of slavery, and those on both sides who claim such need to gather a better perspective.  This is pure apathy on the part of those with money to solve the problems of society, and to rather seek personal glory by increasing their own wealth.

I’m not bashing anyone for choosing to live outside the city.  I am simply stating that we need to recognize the problems caused by the destruction of our cities. 

In Memphis one need only look at the empty retail space and population by zip code over the last 15 years.  Hickory Hill is a prime example of the effects of urban sprawl.  Many moved there to escape rising crime.  (The crime followed, because the crime itself is a symptom of a deeper problem.)  Now however, years later, there is hundreds of thousands of empty retail space, increased crime rates, and those with money…well they have moved on.  The Wolfchase area and Germantown Parkway are the current sprawlific developments.  Drive out Poplar Ave and see the Collierville area, growing like crazy.  Visit Arlington, Bartlett, Oakland, Millington and more to see growth and development. 

My friends, when does it stop?  When does our desire to escape the problem stop, and our desire to address the issue being?  Black people do not cause crime.  White people do not automatically make money.  The inner city of Memphis is a beautiful place full of wonderful people.  But just like the past, we are repeatedly avoiding the problem and the inner city will be left to fight for itself. 

I live in the city limits and pay city taxes.  I do live though far from the inner city.  I have not escaped this cycle either and when it comes time to move to a bigger house we have a decision to make, avoid the problem…or become part of the solution. 

Christ tells us in the Bible if we deny the least, we deny Him.  I pray that we as a people will recognize the fact that we simply avoid problems.  There are no solutions in Washington.  The color of the President does not fix anything.  In fact, it shows how sick we are to be focused on color.  Christ sees the Truth in all of us, that we are created with dignity and love.  Period.  End of debate. 

As we go forward in society I pray that we all can make decisions to end poverty and hunger in our inner cities.  Because that makes us what Christ desires.  A People Set Apart.  Not from each other, but from the world.

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