Reflection of literature ~ Dr. Jawanza & Bro. Hakir

"Black People and the Coming Depression" By Jawanza Kunjufu and Hakir Madhubuti.  These writings are an honest attempt by the Sabree Team to summarize the valuable messages from the brothers Kunjufu and Madhubuti.

The Ant and the Grasshopper:

In a grassy field one summer's day a Grasshopper was busy hopping about chirping and singing to his heart's content.  An Ant passed by lugging a huge ear of corn that he was taking to his nest.  "Why don't you come and talk with me," said the Grasshopper; "instead of working so hard?"
"I am storing up food for the winter," said the Ant; "and I strongly suggest that you do the same."  "Why worry about the winter?" said the Grasshopper; "we've got plenty of food right now."  But the Ant went on his way and continued to work.  When winter came, the Grasshopper was without food, while he watched the Ants eating the corn and grin that they had stored from the summer.  When the unhappy Grasshopper saw this he knew.

* It is a wise man who prepares for the days of necessity. - Aesop

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A depression/recession in the community is a situation in which our American society, the federal and state governments, businesses and their supportive agencies can not provide an adequate standard of living, as we expect, for the large number of middle and poor American citizens.  Our lives are under the control of capitalistic actions.  Capitalism being an economic system.  Private owners own the land, the stores, the factories, the businesses and they compete among themselves for profits.  The cars, the houses, the food and other goods and services are destined for use by us. The masses of middle and poor folks are like a red dot on a rolling white wheeled tire; sometimes the red dot is up at the top and sometimes its down at the bottom.  When it is at the top, employment is high, incomes are plentiful, money for new cars, houses, clothes, jewelry, and other things exist.  When it is at the bottom, the reverse occurs; food stamps, unemployment benefits, warming centers, soup lines, foreclosures, repossessions and many more crisis exist in our neighborhoods. 

Brother Kunjufu and Brother Haki have suggested some concrete useful ways of dealing with a depressed economy.  They are as follows:

(1) Everyone in the neighborhood should have a garden.

(2) Buy or make clothing based on usefulness and not fashion.

(3) Buy essentials and do not be bashful about shopping at second-hand stores or military surplus businesses.

(4) Buy and grow on vacant land.  Regardless of economic conditions the land will produce food.

(5) Form co-ops (neighborhood families buying and selling goods + services to each other while sharing all profits and losses of the co-op.  Co-ops can include food, daycare centers, community schools, and much more.  Also, co-ops can be used to increase bargaining power, and buying power which can lead to a greater savings for everyone in the co-op.

(6) Store up at least six (6) months of dried foods, beans, rice, millet, cornmeal, oats, fruit, vegetables and honey.

(7) Store up staple goods such olive oil, nuts in their shells, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, garlic and onions, vitamins, and grains.

(8) Store away a supply of basic everyday needs---plastic eating utensils, flash lights with their batteries, wind-up clocks, can opener, soap, toothbrushes, first aid supplies, a strong painkiller in case of a serious injury, wax sealed matches, scissors, needles + thread, and more.

(9) Store away some warm, and waterproof clothing and shoes-boots-socks, and do not forget a compass for location.

(10) Check out your exercise and diet, being a "couch potato" and consumption of the wrong types of food (junk food) can be a serious health habit.

(11) Use art fairs, fellowshipping, and social media to keep us aware of food, fuel, political and money happenings in our city.... the nation and internationally--worldwide.

(12) Spend more time with the family, especially the better-half and the kids.

(13) Do not forget a defensive weapon or two and ammunition to protect and preserve.  Be able to use what defensive weapon(s) you have.

(14) As far as communication, battery operated radios, walkie-talkies, and word of mouth can be employed to spread the word. 
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While it is true that our condition is substantial due to outside forces.  The world does not specifically care about us or our neighborhood.  It will not care until we understand that our blackness cannot be an excuse for inactivity; but it must be an impetus to work, to cooperatively work together, to alter the old mindset of dancing, singing, and rapping---to also include the new mindset of working together putting neighbor back into the hood for the benefit of everyone working.  Thanks Brothers.

- The Sabree Team