The Man
My favorite Christmas present this year was a copy of Jay-Z’s book “Decoded.” I’m a fan of the man and his music, but I’m not sure I know why.
The music is often fun, often complex; he’s succeeded on both sides of the booth; he acknowledges big weaknesses, but is as hard as they come; he’s articulate and well read, but was educated on the streets; lavish yet charitable; achieved commercial success without sacrificing hood cred; has “the baddest chick in the game wearing his chain…”
But, hell, I’m sure that I don t know all the words to even one of his songs! Maybe I’m a fan simply because the hooks are dope and the beats keep comin’.
But back to the book – Decoded.
As I passed the halfway point of the book, the author began to talk about the complex relationship that poor people (read African Americans)have with the government. The description he used reminded me of a conversation that I once had with Hugh McColl, then chairman of Bank of America, and the company’s chief communications officer, Lynn Drury, about African American distrust of “The Man” – referring, in this case, to any large entity (corporate or government) with outsized influence over one’s life or livelihood.
More than a decade ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. This conversation took place aboard the company’s Hawker 750 jet on the way from Charlotte to Washington for an event honoring Earl Graves, chairman of Black Enterprise magazine. I almost missed the flight that day because, dissatisfied with my appearance, I returned home to change my tie!
My excuse for keeping him waiting caused Mr. McColl to ask why it was important for me to change my tie that morning. I responded that I had to dress to match the occasion (prominent) and my role in it (insignificant). I commented that my initial attire would have drawn more attention than was warranted, and so I wanted to make certain that didn’t happen.
He then asked why this event was any different than the many others that we’d attended together. I commented that there would be many African American entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders in the room for this event, and that would make the air in the room a bit different than usual. My initial choice of a suit and tie would have matched that environment, but not matched my role as the guy there to carry the chairman’s bags. His retort was that whenever he wanted to make an impression in a room he simply wore his power red tie.
He also then asked if I thought that African American bankers were less comfortable inside the company because of cultural differences. I attempted to respond more broadly by commenting that I thought that African Americans have a general distrust of any organization controlled by The Man. (Open mouth, insert foot!)
Lynn then asked me to define that term. I remember my mouth opening, but nothing intelligible coming out. Mercifully, Lynn then added “well, Henry, white people have that problem too!” She had missed my point – and I was rendered mute, remaining silent for the rest of the flight.
What I couldn’t say then, Jay-Z says perfectly on page 154. Our “people… have a twisted relationship with the government. …We live in government-funded housing and work government jobs. We have family and friends spending time in the ultimate public housing… We know what AFDC and WIC stand for… We get to know all kinds of government agencies… because they actually visit our houses and sit up on our couches asking questions. …we go to crumbling public schools that tell us all we need to know about what the government thinks of us. Then there are the cops.”
From the middle passage to the Marcy Projects, to the good ol’ boy network – the black experience is different. Our trust level is low, our demeanor is guarded, our patience is thin and, yes it’s true, every flashing light is coming for us.
In hindsight though, Lynn also had a point. The glass ceiling is real and the pay rate is disproportionate. Lynn also made another point that was unspoken as she crossed her legs on the plane that day and I took my seat towards the rear. We were both sitting in a pretty enviable location and were reminded that one way or another, while not forgeting or foregoing justice, African Americans, women and other identifiable minority groups have to get over it and get on with it.
Maybe I’ll make sure that Lynn and Hugh get a copy of Decoded so that they too can bring our conversation to a close.
Naaaaah. If they’re interested, they can pick up their own.
