Good governance and the rise of the black middle class / by kevin murray

One of the things that the United States is very good at is putting together well-meaning laws as well as having well-meaning sentiments such as, for instance, that we are all created equally.  Of course, great sentiments as well as laws of good purpose aren’t all that valuable when these things are circumvented, ignored, misinterpreted, or unenforced. 

 

When it comes to fair play, we can usually count on private enterprise consistently only doing those things that are perceived as being beneficial to their company bottom line, and thereby the stonewalling of all else that might interfere in profit making, above all.  In other words, despite laws so made in regards to discrimination, fairness, and the like, private enterprise has a strong tendency to pretty much ignore such, unless they are under the microscope of some governmental agency or have previously had sanctions placed upon it.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that all private enterprise behaves this way, but in reality, those of private enterprise, consciously or subconsciously, consistently favors those that come from their same general milieu, as compared to all those that do not represent such.

 

As for our government, whether that be Federal, State, or local, we do so find, that in many cases, though, not all, that there is a great deal more of fair play being in effect.  The primary reason why government often seems to be a better fit for those that are not of the favored race, has a lot to do with the fact that those that are its governmental leaders, have a solemn duty to actually try to follow not only what the law so says, but the very intent of that law; as well as also believing that by leading by example, and thereby providing fair opportunity, where previously there was a lack of such, is beneficial for the whole of the nation.  So too, governments are not typically driven by any sort of profit motive, but rather are driven by getting necessary things done, on behalf of the people.

 

What we so find then, that it is governmental jobs and therefore governmental employment, above all, that has been the biggest initiator of helping to create a vibrant and successful black middle class.  While it is true, that typically working for the government will not get any particular person rich, it does on the other hand, provide a decent salary, job security, a clear pathway for advancement, good healthcare, and more often than not, a strong and vibrant pension plan.  Each of those attributes of public service, are extremely beneficial for those so being employed in those public sector jobs, because they can thereby count on having not only job security, but also a decent wage, healthcare, and a pension, to rely upon.

 

Those then, that threaten the need or the justification for governmental jobs and the corresponding incumbent expenditures that have done so much in helping to secure middle class status for blacks, as well as for lots of other folks, should recognize that until such a time as private enterprise does its necessary part to do the same, that the best enabler of continued black middle-class success, is going to remain that government, of, for, and by the people.