Letter to the editor: Why do we need a Black Chamber of Commerce?

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I read with interest the letter to the editor in the Thursday, Jan. 28, paper titled "An update on what's happening at the Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce." I have some questions for the co-founder and COO.

Why did you found this separate Chamber of Commerce? Is the Sumter Chamber of Commerce the "white" Chamber of Commerce? Why do we need a Black Chamber of Commerce? Perhaps we also need a white, Spanish, Indian, Muslim, Army and Air Force Chamber of Commerce? Are Blacks in Sumter really a minority, or is all you need to be a minority is to be Black? Google claims that Black (African American) population is at 48.4% and white (? American) is at 42.7%. The article in Feb. 9 paper, Liberty charter school's founding class is 60% minority students, claims 58.9% minority and 41.4% white. I know that words are changing meaning, but I thought that a minority is less than a majority.

Is this article really about letting the rest of us know how important it is to help Black businesses and to abandon other businesses? Can I start a new "White Chamber of Commerce" for the reason of helping "white" businesses thrive by launching a White Business Incubator Hub, whatever that is? The white businesses need fundraising to bring their vision to fruition also.

What happened to the idea of "One Sumter"?

Then there is Brenda Williams asking for funds from CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for her nonprofit. I admire her for trying to help those living in poverty, but why can't she spend her nonprofit donations to help people get out of poverty by inventing jobs or getting them jobs so they can become independent? Jobs help people learn to help themselves to get out of poverty. As long as she just gives people what they need, they will continue to believe that they are owed everything instead of working for what they need.

Then there is this new idea "equity instead of equality." This also seems to be about "minority groups" and how to help those in need. Again, I ask, why would someone help themselves if they are waiting for someone else to help them? Does this promote dependency or independency?

JACKIE HUGHES

Sumter