The rapidly mounting challenges that face the African-American community have been compounded by major changes in the economy wrought by technology and globalization. The consequences of those inexorable forces account largely for the shattering of the social contract, once seen as a global model for greater egalitarianism and opportunity, that has been in place in the United States for some of its citizens since the 1930s. This is still an immensely rich country, but its future prosperity is not certain. The onslaught of globalism may have been delayed by various trade policies, but its emergence was inevitable.
There will be losers, with the increasing and historic exporting of jobs. African Americans will suffer disproportionately, as usual. We need to acknowledge this reality and adapt to these changes. Above all, we must better prepare our children for this potentially ominous future. There is a need for a more enlightened mindset in our community that encompasses the broad implications of these cataclysmic changes and acts accordingly.
The new Busch Stadium is a case in point about the need for a more comprehensive view of what is happening in our local environment. While the $365 million stadium construction project did include African Americans at an impressive level, of greater significance is the ongoing economic development taking place downtown. A report in the Dow Jones News Service explains that the $3.3 billion that has been invested in downtown St. Louis will see an additional $1 billion in 2006. “Of the $3.3 billion,” the report notes, “$808 million was spent in residential development, $756 million in sports, art, entertainment and residential development on the old ballpark site; a $400 million Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. casino and hotel complex; and the Bottle District, a $350 million development with high-rise condominiums, retail, entertainment and a Four Seasons Hotel.”
This renaissance has been greatly spurred by the new residents who have moved into the downtown area. There has been a merger of previously competing interests: the business community and the historic-preservation faction. Michael and Steve Roberts are in the forefront of the changes downtown, as is Tony Thompson’s Kwame Construction Co.
But, to a large extent, African Americans have not aligned themselves with an explosive downtown revival that has spurred unique opportunities. We have done too much sitting on the sidelines, lobbing ineffective complaints about disparities, while others are capitalizing – making money, making connections, helping to forge the future of the city. The Nigerian entrepreneurs highlighted on this week’s front page offer hope for an alternative model of achievement for black people, in spite of racism and glass ceilings and cronyism, which have limited and excluded most of us for so long. We fail to respond creatively to this opportunity at our own peril.
An adage says that we all want progress, but fear change. A progressive entrepreneurial element in the African-American community must rise up and overcome its fear of change and venture beyond its comfort zone, geographically and socially, or we will have even more to complain about in the years ahead. The time for constructive engagement, more than ever, is now.