Musings: The Ujamaa Effect (or lack thereof)

Since my return, I've been to at least three different festivals so far; two that I participated in as a vendor, and one that I just attended (and illegally vended).  With the first two, I helped to (imho) heavily promote those events because I was actively participating in them as a vendor.  The third was one that I was just hoping to attend, and be able to enjoy as an attendee.  With the activism that I do in/for the literary arts, I don't get the opportunity to attend and enjoy these events as I would like to.

What really disturbed me was the lack of commerce and support being given by the attendees with the vendors present.  The attitude that you sensed from the crowd was really a superficial one; they just came to show up, and show off.  They wanted to give the appearance of being so damn deep and cultural, but didn't really support the vendors that were there, myself included.  Certain attendees acted like they couldn't give you the time of day; as if you were beneath them.

#1-  If you're a female, I AM NOT trying to get with you!  I'm trying to make a sale.  This is how some of us make our livelihood(s).  We can't step up our game if you don't financially support us.  Our products cost money to make/purchase, vending fees have to be covered, travel expenses need to be addressed, etc.

#2-  If you don't support the vendors, they won't be able to participate in events like this.  If they don't participate in events like these, the organizers can't organize these events.  If the organizers can't put together these types of events, THEY WON'T EXIST ANYMORE!!!  Do you see a pattern forming here...?

#3-  You're NOT that deep or cultural.  You come to these events 'playing' African, wearing your 'African' costume.  You come to these events frontin' like you so damn deep and cultural, when after the event is over, you go back to being your ignorant, ratchet-ass self.  You're more willing to come out of pocket to buy some $1000 smartphone, or $250 pair of shoes/sneakers, but wanna bitch at a vendor to pay $10 for a fucking book, DVD, or CD?!

#4-  Not saying that there should be a dress code, but HTF you gonna come to a 'cultural' event dressed like anything?!?!  Your booty cheeks are hanging out of your shorts, you're wearing the tightest dress(es) known to man, or you're wearing little to nothing in way of clothing attire.  C'mon...really?!  But you so damn deep and African...

#5-  If you have NO intention of buying anything, YTF you bother coming out?!?!?!  That's a waste of everyone's time.  Cultural events like these are not about you being seen; it's about supporting the cause/purpose of the event, and supporting the businesses/entrepreneurs participating in the event.

We can't complain about not having such-and-such business(es) in our neighborhoods if we don't support our own businesses/entrepreneurs.  We can't complain about having 'alien' businesses in our communities if we don't support our businesses first and foremost.  The power of economics and spending habits speaks volumes to your priorities, and economic power and political influence.

If you have a nickle-and-dime mentality, you're gonna get nickel-and-dime results.

Think about that....