Guiding Principles of the AAERTT "History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and had to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning." -- Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Cooperative economic development is defined as “an independent association of individuals, communities, and businesses united unconditionally to meet their holistic economic, social, and educational needs. Empowering and enhancing their community's quality of life through joint business and democratically controlled community ownership.
African Americans have a long, rich history of cooperative ownership, especially in reaction to market failures and economic racial discrimination. However, it has often been a hidden history and one obstructed by White supremacist violence. When there is a narrative, the history is told as one of failure. The challenges have been tremendous and have often been seen as impossible. The successes are usually anecdotal and isolated, minor understood, and even less documented-particularly as part of an economic development strategy and a more significant economic independence movement. My research suggests that African Americans, as well as other people of color and low-income people, have significantly benefited from cooperative ownership and democratic economic participation throughout the history of the United States, much like their counterparts worldwide. This book documents these practices and experiences, as well as the various philosophies behind the strategy of cooperative ownership among African Americans.
“Stumbling is not falling.” “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.” “Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world.” Malcolm X
“Black visibility is not black power” 🔥🔥🔥
Right! This is a strong read.
Guiding Principles of the AAERTT
"History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and had to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning." -- Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Cooperative economic development is defined as “an independent association of individuals, communities, and businesses united unconditionally to meet their holistic economic, social, and educational needs. Empowering and enhancing their community's quality of life through joint business and democratically controlled community ownership.
African Americans have a long, rich history of cooperative ownership, especially in reaction to market failures and economic racial discrimination. However, it has often been a hidden history and one obstructed by White supremacist violence. When there is a narrative, the history is told as one of failure. The challenges have been tremendous and have often been seen as impossible. The successes are usually anecdotal and isolated, minor understood, and even less documented-particularly as part of an economic development strategy and a more significant economic independence movement. My research suggests that African Americans, as well as other people of color and low-income people, have significantly benefited from cooperative ownership and democratic economic participation throughout the history of the United States, much like their counterparts worldwide. This book documents these practices and experiences, as well as the various philosophies behind the strategy of cooperative ownership among African Americans.
“Stumbling is not falling.” “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.” “Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world.” Malcolm X