Patronizing only businesses owned by people of a certain race.

[KrazyHorse]

The answer is systemic segregation, poverty along racial boundaries, bootstraps economics, failed schools, negative images in popular culture, and the utter lack of hope prevalent in parts of America

This is precisely why black people should move out of majority black communities ASAP, in my opinion.

How well do you think the Irish or Italians would be doing in the US if they were still living in ghettoes?

[Drake Tungsten]

The question you should ask yourself is why black people aren't choosing to be doctors

Black people do become doctors, you moron. The fact that Lynchburg, VA doesn't have one doesn't mean they don't exist.

As a side note, if you really want to attract black professionals to Lynchburg, you might consider changing the town's name.

[mrmitchell]

The answer is systemic segregation, poverty along racial boundaries, bootstraps economics, failed schools, negative images in popular culture, and the utter lack of hope prevalent in parts of America

This is precisely why black people should move out of majority black communities ASAP, in my opinion.

How well do you think the Irish or Italians would be doing in the US if they were still living in ghettoes?

"Majority black communities" = "systemic segregation" good job you get America too!!!! (a little)

[mrmitchell]

The question you should ask yourself is why black people aren't choosing to be doctors

Black people do become doctors, you moron. The fact that Lynchburg, VA doesn't have one doesn't mean they don't exist.

If this is serious, please do us all a favor and not vote

[KrazyHorse]

The point isn't separatism or ghettoization, the point is that these people are making a conscious and free decision to try to funnel their own capital and consumption to an underprivileged group. How can anyone think that is a bad thing?

Because their stupid and wrongheaded form of protectionism costs the black community money, on net.



Trade between any two groups is WELFARE ENHANCING FOR BOTH GROUPS.

The loss from a non-economic motivation to restrict trade is WELFARE DESTROYING FOR BOTH GROUPS.

The gain to the black doctor or supermarket owner when more black customers choose him simply because he's black is more than offset by the loss to those same black customers.

[Drake Tungsten]

If this is serious, please do us all a favor and not vote

You, sir, are a ****ing ******.

[KrazyHorse]

"Majority black communities" = "systemic segregation" good job you get America too!!!! (a little)

Err. No. The current demographic map is largely the result of self-segregation. Geographic mobility in the US is high enough that the 30+ years since discrimination in housing became functionally illegal would have led to far more mixing than we actually see without this effect.

Majority black communities mainly exist because those living in them don't want to live in majority white (or other) communities (the effect of self-segregation impulse among the majority group is less important than in the minority group).

This impulse is precisely the same impulse which leads morons like the one discussed in the OP to overpay for goods and services simply to segregate himself economically from non-blacks.

[mrmitchell]

KH I see that our discussion hinges on one's belief in protectionism, but why do you think it is necessarily a loss to black consumers when they support black businesses? Undergoing difficulty like the Andersons are is silly, but if they offer similar products at a similar price point, is there anything wrong about preferring a black business over any other?

[KrazyHorse]

do you think it is necessarily a loss to black consumers when they support black businesses?

It is when they change their behaviour simply because one provider is black and the other isn't. If there was no deadweight loss then they would ALREADY BE BUYING FROM THE BLACK BUSINESS.

but if they offer similar products at a similar price point

It's not simply price or EVEN price plus quality; note in the OP how far out of his ****ing way the guy drives just to buy groceries from a guy with same skin colour as him. THAT'S A LOSS.

is there anything wrong about preferring a black business over any other

Yes, there is something MORALLY WRONG as well as ECONOMICALLY WRONG with it.

[mrmitchell]

Err. No. The current demographic map is largely the result of self-segregation. Geographic mobility in the US is high enough that the 30+ years since discrimination in housing became functionally illegal would have led to far more mixing than we actually see without this effect.

Majority black communities mainly exist because those living in them don't want to live in majority white (or other) communities (the effect of self-segregation impulse among the majority group is less important than in the minority group).

Sorry, no. Majority black communities mainly exist because those living in them cannot afford to leave them.

[KrazyHorse]

Sorry, no. Majority black communities mainly exist because those living in them cannot afford to leave them.

No. There are a lot of places you can go in the US where rents for equal quality housing are a hell of a lot lower than in most urban majority-black communities (for all those who are not simply squatting, at least).

Not to mention the increased employment opportunities which many or most black people in these areas would have if they moved elsewhere.

Basically, you're just talking out of your ass.

[KrazyHorse]

I have the feeling that you've never bothered to think deeply about these issues at all.

[mrmitchell]

is there anything wrong about preferring a black business over any other

Yes, there is something MORALLY WRONG as well as ECONOMICALLY WRONG with it.

Accepted that the OP guys are wrong. Now if we lived in an ideal world that'd never had racism, yes, buying black preferentially (with all other things equal!) would be morally wrong. But the reality is that black people are far more likely than whites to be impoverished. That black businessman is far more likely to have childhood friends or family members that are poor if not himself, than another white businessman. Why is it wrong to help out poor people? When 25% of black people aren't living in poverty I'll reevaluate my position here.



Not to pre-emptively start a derail but if anybody is thinking about posting "racism of low expectations" bull****, think about what that phrase means, that's not what I am advocating at all

[mrmitchell]

I have the feeling that you've never bothered to think deeply about these issues at all.

-KH, master debater

[Drake Tungsten]

I love that some kid in Arkansas thinks he knows more about majority minority areas than a guy who lives in Baltimore.