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Buy Black—Even If It Sucks? 🤔
Black-owned businesses are everywhere—but what happens when the quality’s not there? Are we obligated to support them anyway? Let’s talk.
Dale Harris
April 15, 2025
In partnership with
“They might call us a minority, there’s a billion black people, there’s a billion white people. What’s minor about that? I’m major bro. I ain’t taking nothing minor. At all.” - Daniel Kaluuya
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Good morning, BFA Fam! It’s Tax Day — aka the annual reminder that the government knows exactly how much you owe… they just want to see if you can do math under pressure. If you're reading this with one eye on TurboTax and the other on your bank account — same. But don’t worry, we brought the good news below. Let’s get into it.
MAIN STORY
Finessed by Your Own People?
⚡ THE SPARK
“Nobody gives a f*ck [if you are Black]. Either you have a good business or you don’t.” Wallo’s viral X post hit like a thunderclap, his words raw and unfiltered: he’s not about to get “finessed” by a Black-owned business just because it’s Black-owned. The clip blew up, splitting feeds and group chats—some hailed his realness, others felt it aired the culture’s laundry too loud. The debate simmered: what does it mean to really support our own?
🧠 THE LAYER BELOW
Loyalty’s Double-Edge: Dropping dollars at Black businesses feels like planting seeds for the future, but when the vibe’s off—late deliveries, subpar quality—it stings. Are we fueling growth or glossing over cracks?
Uneven Scrutiny: The X streets stay buzzing: Black businesses get roasted for minor fumbles, while bigger, often white-owned brands skate on worse. One user snapped, “We criticize Black folks all day but let white companies get away with trash and don’t blame their whole race.” Why’s our lens so harsh?
The Silence Trap: Calling out a Black business can feel like breaking code, like you’re disloyal to the struggle. But biting your tongue risks settling for less, leaving everyone shortchanged.
Obligation’s Weight: In Judaism, Klal Yisrael binds Jews to a duty to support their own, like a pact to keep the community tight. For Black folks, staring down economic gaps—wealth, access, opportunity—we can’t afford to not stick together. Does that mean excusing weak spots, or pushing for better to close the divide?
🎯 THE REAL QUESTION
Are we helping Black businesses grow—or giving them a pass because we’re scared to be honest?
🔮 WHAT’S NEXT
Wallo’s bluntness wasn’t shade—it was a mirror. Supporting Black businesses isn’t just about vibes or guilt; it’s about forging something lasting, where trust outweighs obligation. We shouldn’t fear speaking up when quality dips, nor should we bounce to brands that don’t reflect us. Picture this: we back Black businesses with full heart, cheering their highs but calling out lows—not to tear down, but to build stronger. That’s not betrayal; it’s belief in what we can be. The X user’s gripe about double standards rings true—we’re harder on our own, and that’s a trap we can dodge.
Let’s rewrite the script: support means showing up with pride and principle, pushing for excellence that flips the narrative. Black businesses thrive when we hold them high, not when we settle. The real win? Creating a legacy where our dollars spark growth, not excuses, and our voice shapes a future that demands respect from everyone.
CAST YOUR VOTE
Have you ever supported a Black-owned business that gave poor service- but you didn't speak up because of solidarity? |
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THE FLIP SIDE
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