State of the Black Union: My View

I listened to the morning show as I went about my morning doing Daddy Duty.

I TIVO'ed the afternoon portion of it, but the schedule was messed up on TIVO so I didn't get as much of it as I wanted.

From the morning portion, I think there was maybe 15-30 minutes of it that I found worthwhile. I didn't like the general attitude that if you weren't interested in creating your own business you couldn't build wealth. Michelle Singletary noticed that same thing and mentioned that she thought it was wrong.

She also kept things grounded by saying that there is more to wealth, than money. If you are in a home, have clothes on your back, have your health, and are providing for your family, you have wealth. From a "spiritual" -- for lack of a better word -- standpoint, I think she was right.

I'm glad Floyd Flake was there. The more I hear from him, the more I like the man. We see eye to eye.

More of a focus on how to learn about investing, what to think about when starting a business, why you may want to start a business, why you may NOT want to start a business, estate planning, etc. would have made the morning segment live up to the name of the segment.

The afternoon segment I TIVOed and didn't see much of, first hand. I've reviewed what I had TIVOed and have come away with the impression that I had coming into it: a lot of talk, but not much of anything else.

I'm also glad that Rev. Henry Jackson was there. He defended himself from the start by saying he realizes that a lot of people don't like that he has had meetings with President Bush, but it doesn't make sense to offend those who have political power and who have indicated a shared interest. (That's my paraphrasing). He's right. Jackson is pragmatic and that's where I see myself at this stage of my life.

What will it take to get the job done? Then do it IF it doesn't really go against your morals or beliefs.

Rev. Jackson noted something that I had thought about when I first heard about the "Covenant": the document would be something tangible and focused. It would give those who wanted to follow such a thing, some tangible goals. He said that was needed and I agree to a point.

Most people who are about change, do so because they see things need to get done and then set out to do it. They don't need such a document. They have the internal focus.

All in all, it was a lot of talk. I don't think much will come of it, but if I'm wrong, I'll be glad that I'm wrong.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to do the things I do:

• Work;
• Provide for my family;
• Try to provide guidance to those God has charged me with taking care of;
• Enjoy life, even when it is hard; and
• Live.