American population is steadily progressing up the economic ladder. But, is Black America going forward or backwards? According to a new report by the Census Bureau, about half of African American households make less than $30,000 yr., the lowest in the nation, and almost 23% Black households live in poverty, the highest in the nation. A study by the Washington, DC based Justice Policy Institute found that there is one third more Black men in prison than in college. Twenty years ago, there were over 300% more Black men in college than in prison!
Forward or backward?

One third of these Black men ill prison were making less than $5,000/yr before their arrest. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the economics of any ethnic group affects everyone. California voters were "duped" into thinking that Proposition 209, which took away affirmative action that gave jobs to Black men, was the best for them or California," states Valerie Butler, a corporate manager, that lives in Oakland.

Additionally, minorities and women combined, who did 10% of the State contracting prior to Prop 209 in 1996, now do less than 5% of State contracts in a State with over 50% minority population.

Further, 50% of federally funded contracts that still require minority and women participation, are awarded with no participation, based on a "good faith" excuse. Approval of "Good Faith" excuses was unheard of prior to Prop 209.

This year only 5 African Americans entered UCSF Medical School. Thirty years ago, 27 Blacks enrolled at this UC medical school. The UC Berkeley law school has a similar tragedy. But Ward Connerly, a Black man, who led passage of 'Prop 209, is back to cover up his oppressive results on African Americans by introducing another ballot measure to not allow any data to be collected revealing the dire plight of African Americans and other minorities.

Twenty-five years ago m the Bay Area there were three Black owned banks, two in Oakland and one in San Francisco. Today there are none. Transbay Engineers and Constructors was one of the largest Black general contractors in the country, building many of the high-rise buildings in Oakland. Teleport Oil Company was a Black owned oil company. E. H. White & Co. was a Black owned management firm with offices throughout the US. Jim Thigpen and Art Scott held companies that owned restaurants, and concessions in San Francisco, Oakland and the San Francisco Airport. All were listed in the Black Enterprise largest 100 Black firms in the country, but there are no Bay Area firms exist on the list today. Oakland's businessman George Smith was once revered as one of the richest Black men in the Bay Area, owning the Bank of Oakland, 25% of the Oakland Marriott, a statewide engineering firm, significant real estate holdings and singularly put Pebbles and Bobby Brown on the recording charts. Today, the few successful Black businessmen are keeping the lowest profile possible, afraid that the establishment will conjure some accusation in the media to destroy their companies and reputation. Forward or backward? ... You decide!