Vegas, let’s talk business,let’s talk race

March 2nd, 2007

Vegas, let’s talk business,let’s talk race

I enjoyed sin city and will return. There are many, many other cities I perfer for fun; New York, Miami, LA,London,Warsaw, Paris, Munich, Houston, Buffalo, Burlinton,Vt, Ithaca, NY, Dallas, DC, Philly, Baltimore, Istanbul, Cape Town, Sao Paulo,you get the point. Vegas is cool but not my favorite, Oh I forgot New Orleans!

I did not see that many black folk but black folk were the talk of the town.The prior weekend the NBA all star game was played in Vegas. 300,000 mostly young affluent and black crowded into the 3 mile strip of Vegas. This is where we will speak about race. Often times white friends will say I have them think about things that as a white folk they don’t get it.

Now it is my turn not to get it. I do not understand some of the comments I have heard about the All Star game on tv, radio and in person. This is a business blog and in order for blacks in business to have a chance, we must discuss race. I am pleading for comments because, I need to understand. I want to understand. White folk help me out, Black folk chim in, Biracial, you should have an unique perspective on this topic.

Here goes, On a sport talk radio show, A white caller reported, his family went to Vegas for the wwekend and had gone for 10 years. This is where I need your help, they were scared on the plane to Vegas. No not of terroist but of all the young black people on the plan with them. I have flown most of my life with planes full of white folk, and many times loud drunkyoung white folks. I was not scared. Why were these white folk scared?

The caller went on to say,when they got to Vegas, they were so frighten they stayed in their room. Some of the cabbies told my wife and I, you would see 1 white person for every 100 blacks on the strip. I guess if white people are frighten to leave their room, the stats add up. Now I don’t know about you but, I do not care if my hotel is hosting a klan convention, I will venture out.As a young black in business, my sales territory was made up of some of the racists states in the Union. Most of my assignment was below the mason dixon line.I would go into towns in West Virginia, where I would ride through town first to see if any black people lived in the town befor making the sales call on the local hospital The point is for blackinbusiness being scared is not an option when you want to win.One time outside of Fairmont West Virginia going toward Elkins I went into a bar with a 3 peice pinstrip suit. The sign outside said miners only. My dad was a miner so I went in None of the white miners bothered me. They were nice.I was ready to throw down if neccessary.

Now on to us black folk. There were shootings, fights and over400 arrests. A NFL star beat up a stripper. As my mother use to tell me, when you go some where act like you have some sense. I love my people but it does seem that we have a small percentage of us that do not act like we have sense. I think the small percent is there for white folk as well but they can get away with it. What can we do about our small percentage?

All star weekend was all about big money. It was a record weekend for the city, the most people in one weekend and big money flowed. The only problem as I see is ther were too many of us. Black money is still money but some folk do not want us around when we spend it. Just send your money and leave your black ass home.

We are better people than this, difference in skin color should not be such a dividing factor.

People love to live around Vegas because of the jobs and a low cost of living. The weather is also a plus. I noticed the jobs we had were mostly Limo drivers. The casinos workers, dealers and such had many Asians and White people but few blacks. The cabs and limos are owned by 5 families. The same families that were given the contracts from the early days when the Chicago outfit ran the show.

In closing, to quote Rodney King, why can’t we all just get along?

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11 Responses

Scott with a Shout-Out Says:
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:53 pm

Yeha you right, I was reading that list of fun cities and thought you forgot one but, nope, I see you put New Orleans on the map, too. Thanks for the comment on myfootballstore, thanks for the MBL ad and thanks for including New Orleans! I saw the recruiting firm site, too, looks great, you’ll got any openings for PCA’s/Facilitators/Case Managers in Vegas?

Scott with a Shout-Out Says:
March 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 pm

Jim Walton Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

Scott, send me your resume and I will do a quiet search on your behalf.My next door neighbor as a kid , lives in Reno but worked in the gaming industry for 25 years and still has some great connections.

Jim Walton Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 1:23 pm

Scott, thanks for the powerful comment. The media as made this event sound all black in the crime area. They did not point out if the 400 arrest were more than normal. I was hoping for more comments on this issue, you are a white guy comfortable with blacks, even check out our women, did any look back? I hope to hear from people that are comfortable around us and here from some blacks and biracials on this topic.Keeping hope alive

Scott with a Shout-Out Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 3:17 pm

About the resume, Will do, Jim.

About the the comment, no problem- Although this race problem clearly has no place in this day and age, it definitely still exists and your post, well put indeed, seemed to beg a response (from me at least). And, not to mention, racial segregation in Vegas? That’s nuts, this place is more of a melting pot than New Orleans but, I guess mom and pop from secluded old wherever make it to the strip, too. Hopefully some more people will chime in, I’d love to hear different viewpoints.

Lastly, about receiving any look backs, some goo-goo eyes were exchanged but, how’s the phrase go? Once you go… you go running back to … OR once you go … you know that ain’t right. (even though this is a serious topic, I couldn’t help myself, Jim, I figured a little laughter might be good). So, no, I was not fortunate enough to indulge in during All Star weekend.

Question of my own, if I may? What’s the deal with wearing glasses inside (stunna shades or whatever, I am still confused). Maybe it’s some kind of hyphy movement but I still don’t understand. When I wear glasses inside, it’s harder to see, that’s all I know.

JD Walton Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 7:46 pm

It is the look man, some glasses adjust, but sun glasses are kool.You gotta to love some humer, that is almost as much fun as being looked at!

Scott with a Shout-Out Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 8:44 pm

right on, Jim.. I did a blog (like just now) promoting your post so, maybe we’ll get some more input for this post, we shall see.

Theo Johnson Says:
March 5th, 2007 at 2:34 pm

Jim,

I think those people were speaking out of ignorance, the leading cause for racism. It’s sad to hear something like that, but that’s the way the world is.

If you get 300,000 people (no matter what race) in one place at one time with alcohol flowing, criminal incidents are sure to go up. I’m surpised the numbers weren’t higher.

I hate to hear people blame it on the fact that most of the people were black. Now there are times when we don’t know how to act right, but I don’t think this situation was any worse than any other major event.

Jim Legington Says:
March 5th, 2007 at 5:30 pm

Hey Jim,

Because God loves us all!

Just wanted to say that the mind of Christ is the voice that
speaks for us because I’m not my
own.Purchased by God at Calvery therefore I practice yeilding to
His Mighty word in heart. Unity
of the faith is the healing for all of mankind because it is an
inside working that God wills to
restore the blessing by His Word
In Jesus Christ Our Lord.

There is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God. I’m human and stumbling whenever any flesh thoughts get in the day. Focus is on the Light of God’s Word, I’m pressing on toward the mark of God’s high calling in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Here is what Thus say the Lord:
Unity of the Spirit Because it is written in Our Bible
Ephesians 4:1-7 Updated [NASB]

[1] Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have
been called.

[2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

[3] being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

[4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were
called in one hope of your calling;

[5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

[6] one God and Father of all who is over all and through
all and in all.

[7] But to each one of us grace was given according to the
measure of Christ gift.

Because it is written in Our Bible II Corinthians 10:13

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a
measure to reach even as far as you.

Because it is written in Our Bible I John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us
understanding so that we may know Him who is true; in His
Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

A Lad’s Lunch with Favor - Presents Since January 7, 2007
Path of Life Newsletter-FaithWorks

Jim Legington Says:
March 5th, 2007 at 5:39 pm

Hey Jim,

Because God loves us all!

Just wanted to say that the mind of Christ is the voice that
speaks for us because I’m not my own.Purchased by God at
Calvary therefore I practice yeilding to His Mighty word in
heart. Unity of the faith is the healing for all of mankind
because it is an inside working that God wills to restore
the blessing by His Word, In Jesus Christ Our Lord.

There is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God. I’m
human and stumbling whenever any flesh thoughts get in the
day. Focus is on the Light of God’s Word, I’m pressing on
toward the mark of God’s high calling in Christ Jesus Our
Lord.

Here is what Thus say the Lord:

Unity of the Spirit Because it is written in Our Bible
Ephesians 4:1-7 Updated [NASB]

[1] Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have
been called.

[2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing
tolerance for one another in love,

[3] being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace.