Enterprising Black businessmen in most of the major cites of America have established a chain of banks across the nation. From Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Calif., and from Chicago, Ill, to Birmingham, Ala., these banks are healthy, thriving institutions. Nearly 20 years ago, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist deposited thousands of dollars in a Black bank in Washington, D.C. This act of trust on the part of our world leaders was an expression of respect for the thousands of Black members who fill our pews world-wide. In this we have lent encouragement to the Black financial leaders of America – and paid to them a tribute well deserved.

But what about Black confidence in Black financial institutions? The answer may surprise you. Black-owned banks and insurance companies are alive today largely because of Black depositors and investments. These institutions built this confidence the old-fashioned way – they earned it! They are backed, as are all other banks, by government insurance; and there have been precious few scandals surrounding them. Wouldn’t it be nice if all Regional Conference did much, if not all, of their major banking with these banks?

A minority must pool its resources if it is to impact on the social scene. The Jesse Jackson candidacy speaks to this point. If Jesse carries 90% of the Black vote to the Democratic Convention, Blacks will not be ignored in the decision-making process. This principle carries over into the total picture.

Black business, in general have suffered because of “superstitions” long held concerning them. “Prices are higher, the goods are inferior,” and on ad infinitum. Distrust of one’s own is a legacy from the “previous condition,” as also is the idea that unless a thing is integrated, it is “non-kosher.” In Atlanta, GA., there is a Black-owned and Black-run shopping center that is the pride of the city. It is not inferior because it is Black-owned and Black-run. Nor is it, somehow, unprincipled. Have you seen White-owned business, Chinese Vietnamese, Indian and/or Jewish business? Who criticizes them because they are not integrated? We buy from them. That is why they are still in business. WE are gradually recovering from the slave experience. But there is much yet to be done. Segregation is sin. (James 2:9). De-segregation is a basic Christian requirement. This allows a person to worship, shop, play and live where he or she pleases. Integration is a dream that we shall realize in Heaven. On earth there is no classless, colorless society, nor has there ever been. The Jewish minority understands this. That is why they have survived. There is a Jewish vote and a Catholic vote. No one criticizes this. What’s wrong with a Black vote?

Perhaps, the further we get from slavery, the more we will trust ourselves. This, however, does not negate our penetration of every level of human administration – secular, social or religious. For minorities, this involved a quota-system or some form of affirmative action. This does mean the allocation and designation of certain jobs to minorities. If we can be denied this respectability for 350 years because of color, minimal justice demands affirmative action and quotas to adjust the grievance. But this will affect a mere fraction of our people. For the rest of us, we need to “Walk together Children – don’t you get weary – there’s a Great Campmeeting in the Promised Land.

Dr. E.E. Cleveland is a published author of over 15 books worldwide. His services as an Evangelist are always in great demand.