THE SLAVE MAKERS (PART 2):
THE TOBACCO COMPANIES

“They used to make us pick it, now they want us to smoke it,”

There are a lot of African Americans in this world who are doing positive things. There are a lot of African Americans in the United States who are paving the way to help those who are disenfranchised, living below the poverty level, homeless, unemployed, underemployed, and are lacking health care benefits and mental health aid, either meet their needs or provide some type of service(s) for them. There are economical resources available to help African Americans, people of color and poor whites, and those who know how to read and write can access the resources. Blacks who may have us in their best interest are selling us out either unknowingly or knowingly. But, why are they selling us out to the tobacco companies? 

For the money. Yes, for the money.  If it’s wrong or right is a matter of opinion. Trust me, as I unleashed this information to you, I think you will get a strong sense of what opinion I have on this matter. 

In San Francisco’s Bay View/Hunter’s Point, at the Opera House, on November 6, 2002, a seminar hosted by PHAT (Protecting The Hood Against Tobacco, UCSF and The San Francisco African American Tobacco Free Project-Funded through a CARA grant) gave an eye-opener of a presentation about the tobacco industry--who they are backing and the populations they target.

It opened with Joyce Watkins, a San Francisco Police who lives in Bay View/Hunter’s Point, who greeted the audience and primed us up to what was in store. Once a smoker herself, she spoke of a family member who died from smoke related cancer. Carol McGruder, a researcher on this project with UCSF, took the audience through a review of the findings released in 1998 on the companies who are sponsored by the tobacco industry, which brought a hush, a unique quietness to the auditorium. Valerie Yerger, the director of PHAT, power-pointed the way in educated the audience to the trickery used in marketing, and the results of deaths among African Americans. Mr. Anthony Holmes, an activist in educating the masses of African Americans to the game of the tobacco industry used in soliciting buyers of the products with “chances” to win a boom box by Panasonic or a turn table by technique, according to how many upc’s you obtain from the packs of cigarettes you buy. 

In this seminar, or, “Town Hall Meeting,” it was revealed how African Americans group was the focus of the industry targeting age group between 18-34. The Annual deaths of African Americans for homicides are 8,420 compared to the death of African Americans smoking tobacco at 40,000, and by 2025 it is estimated that the deaths will climb to 10 million. According to Mr. Holmes, “ …at least 1000 African Americans will die per week.

“We are being sold out by corporate money to hush up the issues in our communities,” said, Carol McGruder. The reason being is that the tobacco companies are using tactics in heavy lobbying and manipulation of the political contribution, sponsorship of programs, events, and “causes”, using aggressive marketing and targeting of specific audience, and using unlimited resources, to help them keep the truth hushed up. 

The psyche is simple, “its your choice,” to use the tobacco. The con is in backing agencies and programs such Domestic Violence for the purpose of the industries to look like productive citizens. 

A few organizations with tobacco ties are: 100 Black Men of America, Alpha Kappa, NAACP, National Bar Association, National Urban League, Tuskegee Airmen, United Negro College Funds, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and National Council of Negro Women. The list is longer than you think, especially linked to Black organizations. 

Philip Morris (phillipmorris.com) has a money management workshop called, “Know Your Money.” This is in collaboration with the National Urban League, and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, is the spokesperson for them. Mr. Johnson said in Atlanta Georgia, “I’m proud to be associated with Know Your Money and the partnership between the National Urban League and Philip Morris Companies to develop the future generation of African-American leaders. By teaching young adults the money-management fundamentals necessary for personal and professional success, we are building the economic strength of our community.” 

Can it be explained why we need Philip Morris to enable African-Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power?  I’m all for the involvement of more young people in its movement towards the attainment of economical and social equality. Equally, some may say “why not?” Because these slave makers, who have billions, hooked on the chemical nicotine, cares only about their business, not the cost of human lives. 

Targeting means, analyzing and researching a specific group by age, ethnicity, gender, class, etc., and associating usage of the product by way of commercial and advertisement.  Well, Virginia Slims targets African Americans; you can see their ads in Jet Magazines (hum) and Essences. In one ad in Essences Magazine it says, “find your voice” with a picture of a beautiful Black woman portraying her African features. African Americans are 50% more likely than Whites, to develop smoking related cancers. 

From document released by Philip Morris reports said, the intangible psychological notions of “cool” sells. Black consumers have different needs-image, style and acceptance. “…And, cool sells to Black youths, because it personifies attitude and style to kill us with…”says Carol McGruder. The document went on to say that the best way to reach minorities is b being backed by other Blacks. Strategies used for example the 182,000 dollars taken by 100 Black Men Organization. Not to mention the National Urban League and other African American business and nonprofit organizations. 

The theme of the presentation was “African Americans must react.” Valerie Yerger said, “We are losing our elders prematurely. We need to pay attention. We belong to each other.” Valerie Yerger said, “the saying it is our choice, should not be accepted”. African Americans should say to each other that you do not have the right to destroy yourself, because you affect many in your family and in your community. 

In many ways Valerie Yerger is right, we should hold each other accountable, and reach one and teach one along the way. By the way, the research teams for PHAT are Willette Berts-Dunkerson, Valerie Dubose, Vera Harrell, Anthony Holmes, Vanessa Thomas, and Joyce Watkins. 

Once again, we are exposing the slave makers and sellouts. And, I am not saying that it is done purposely, but it is being done regardless of the intentions. Revealing how forgiving the nature of African Americans are, do not mean that we should be gullible, naïve, and willing to accept whatever we can get. 

Do not forget your history African Americans. While we are fighting for reparations, we should be fighting the tobacco giants for reparations. After all, wasn’t it King James who came up with the idea to use African as their laborers for the tobacco plantations here in America? Yes (read Africans in America America’s Journey through Slavery, Johnson, Smith and the WGBH Series Research Team). 

Our people are selling out to the major giants in America, the tobacco industries. I would rather receive help from other companies, agencies, organizations, corporate and philanthropists who did not have a hand in the enslavement and the genociding of our people. To hear Magic say that he was proud to be apart of that deal informs me that we have much work to do as a people. 

African Americans and others, who see through corporate oppressions and the means used to put a clean face over the dirt, are doing the works. I salute PHAT-Protecting the Hood Against Tobacco. The information given is needed throughout our communities. Speaking of information, part of Mr. Anthony Holmes research finding found that the boom box-RX D12 Cassette Digital Tuner by Panasonic, that can be won by saving 350 upc’s are equivalent to smoking 7000 cigarettes, which mean you spent $1750.00 just to purchase that boom box that cost $99.00 retail. Interesting how African Americans are targeted values are boom boxes and turntables. You can thank the think tank of Philip Morris. I wonder did Earvin Magic Johnson know that? 

Money can’t change the facts that all money is not good money. We must stop selling out our people for money, even if you think the reason is for the good. There are always consequences or implications in the transference of such. We should campaign against the corner liquor stores with their selling of alcohol and tobacco that are very prevalent in low-social economic neighborhoods. We should ask our politicians, how do they feel about tobacco? We should participate on May 31 in the global campaign against Tobacco Industry Sponsorships.
Frank T Williams