Black, Green Dollars

It was 7 am, Thursday, June 27. The sky was blue, and New Orleans Mayor Ernest N. Morial was dressed a little unusual. He was wearing short pants, a collarless shirt, and jogging shoes as he stretched his arms forward and leaned against his brick house on Harrison Avenue.

The short, 56-year-old was limbering his body before embarking on his regular three-mile walk. On this occasion, the city's powerful first black mayor talked with the Black Pages editor. Automobiles motored along Wisner Boulevard. In their wake, birds chirped during the silence. Morial walked at a brisk pace. City Park was stretched out across the street. Bayou Saint John quietly ran along to his right.

One of his bodyguards, George Thedford, and public information employee Linedda Cates walked a few steps behind, on the shoulder of the road. Morial spoke in a mild-mannered voice as he responded to a question about the "Buy Black" concept—black people should only purchase goods and services from black-owned businesses.

"I don't have any difficulty with that concept," the mayor said. "But, I don't think that our system in this country is such that you could operate exclusively in that domain."

Blacks lack sufficient manufacturing capabilities to satisfy their needs in the United States. "Blacks do not have access into that entrepreneurial marketplace," Morial said. "So therefore, the black consumer may have to seek (goods and services) elsewhere."

The leading black business activities are in publishing, cosmetic manufacturing, entertainment, and construction, according to the June 1985 edition of the Black Enterprise Magazine, which lists the top 100 black-owned businesses. Black automobile dealerships also rank high on this year's list. Since black businesses are limited, "Buy Black" advocates said only patronize non-black businesses when black-owned businesses are inaccessible.

The Black Pages Magazine reported in its 1984 edition the estimate that blacks spend 80 percent of their earnings with non-black businesses. When black consumers start to spend more money at black-owned businesses, the black community will grow economically, the magazine said.

"I don't think you could just make that abrupt of a simplification of a complex inter-relation that exists in the marketplace," Morial said about the magazine's report. "It's a very complicated issue. The burden of black economic development must be shared by everybody," the mayor said.

He was asked whether black elected officials have more of a responsibility or obligation to blacks and the poor than white office holders. "Anyone who has been successful regardless of race or religion has somewhat of an obligation, in my opinion, to assist (with improving) the quality of life in the community," the mayor said.

Morial heads the organization of U.S. mayors. As its leader, he has been effective as an advocate for the hungry in this country. Morial spoke about the issue at a congressional hearing.

Morial was asked about his plans if voters decide against amending the city charter to allow mayors three terms instead of two. The master tactician said if that happens, he may decide to make some money by practicing law.