Generational Wealth vs. Generational Labor

Generational Wealth vs. Generational Labor

Work to many serves as a way to provide for the family and have a better way of life. It serves as a way
to acquire the things needed to make your family’s life comfortable. It has always been looked upon as
a way to provide for the family and the next generation of family by building a solid foundation.
However. for African Americans this has not been the case. When our ancestors were brought to this
country over four hundred years ago they worked to make others wealthy. They worked to provide a
better life for the families of their enslavers. Work for them was not a good thing but a punishment. I
think of all the sins of the past and how some of the residues of those sins still have a ghostly presence
in the lives of many African Americans today. We don’t have to look far to see the disparities between
African Americans and other races. We are not in the preponderance of homeowners which is one of
the stepping stones to generational wealth.it is much harder for African Americans to acquire home
loans. If you have a home and work to pay it off you can use it as collateral to upgrade and make your
life more comfortable. If you eventually pay it off, being without a mortgage is a big asset. That that
you now own can provide a stepping stone for your children and grandchildren to assist in giving them a
start towards a better life. Do all you can to purchase a home right now. Within the next ten years,
home ownership will be unreachable for many in the African-American community.
Additionally, because African American business owners are in the minority it stands to reason that
instead of generational wealth our community has produced generational labor. The work of African
Americans tend to generate wealth and provide generational labor that further enriches the lives of
others. To get out of this “labor mindset” it would behoove us to put our resources together and work
collectively as a race and as a community to initiate generational wealth for our children and
grandchildren. We can start by being kinder to each other. The local evening news continually runs a
myriad of stories that convey African Americans killing or injuring each other on an almost daily basis.
The powers that be made it very easy to obtain weapons. Easily accessible guns combined with the
illegal gun market and our sometimes disdain for each other does not make for generational success. Let
us learn to elevate each other by extending a helping hand when our friend or neighbor is in need.
Greet your neighbor with a kind word when passing. Contribute to a cause that will help our youth have
better life experiences, and get involved in a youth ministry at your church. Become an ambassador for
good in your community and see what a ripple effect your good deeds will have. Help your sister or
brother without expecting anything in return. Patronize black businesses. Open your own black
business. When you perform work for black businesses charge them a fair rate. Speak positive words to
each other. Do all of these things and see how these actions begin to manifest success. Speak blessings
upon businesses in our community. Reach out, touch, and do good things. Change our world from one of
generational labor to generational wealth (speak it into existence). Thumbs up, like, and share.
Marvin Dixon, Founder
Vmgreview.com