Tom--Stop Begging

My morning ritual goes something like this--fixing breakfast and lunch for my six year old son, getting washed and dressed, and the two of us getting into the car en route to summer camp or school. In the car I turn on the radio to listen to the famed Tom Joyner Show, the fly jock formerly of Chicago. I enjoy the old school music that features the greats of Motown and the extreme liberal dialogue that is sprinkled with more conspiracy theories than fact. Nonetheless, it's a nice way to get the day started. However, last week Tom Joyner shocked me into seeing him and the show as a desperate group of 21st century slaves.

What happened? Well, it was announced that Belgium based beer brewer InBev had purchased Anheuser-Busch, Inc. for $52 billion dollars. The new company, Anheuser-Busch InBev has now become the largest beer brewers in the world. The news completely stunned Tom Joyner like most of us. Really, Busch beer is as American as baseball and apple pie. The sell was almost un-American. For the average American it was worst than the selling of the Chrysler Building to the Arab investment group Abu Dhabi for $800 million dollars.

But Tom's disappointment sounded hopeless, spineless, and slave like. The on air conversation sounded something like this. Sybil, one of the co-host on the show reports on the sell. Tom responded, "what about the amusement parks?" The cost cutting giant has already announced that they will sell the 11 amusement parks that are currently owned and operated by the Busch corporation. Tom, now really desperate frantically asked, "what about scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities?" Sybil says, "I don't know about that." Tom continues, "perhaps we should call them and let them know about us." The point is that he is begging.

Leaders don't beg. Instead, they should have a B plan for such issues. There are other companies that value the legacy and tradition of Black higher education. Surely, one or more will pick up the slack. More so, Tom and his associates should talk about organizing of the millions of affluent African-Americans, and organizations to lay new financial measures to support Black students. Indeed, what is wrong with African-Americans supporting Black institutions and students? But, I know that it is very difficult for Tom and his friends to think independently while being financed or co-opted by such corporations like Walmart, Disney World and Anheuser-Busch. Come on Tom--stop begging and get a backbone.