Where is the Love?

Contrary to people’s belief there is love and support amongst the urban, poverty stricken communities. Everyone has not been injected with that poison” the crabs in the barrel “syndrome. If you have no idea what I am talking about here is a little knowledge for you.   When gathering crab, the crab as a whole will pull down any crab that starts to climb out of the barrel to make an effort to be the first one out, hence the term “crabs-in-a-barrel”.  And more than often this is applied to people in an underprivileged community where one person is starting to get ahead. Some people in the community become jealous or filled with a sense of self-loathing, so they find a way to pull that person back down to the community’s level or should I say back down to their level.  Why am I using words like urban , poverty and underprivileged communities instead of saying Black? Because I refuse to bow down to our societies stereotypical nonsense.  I’m pretty sure there is such a thing as crab in the barrel syndrome outside of the Black race, there’s probably just another name for it.

Now that we have the understanding of what the crab in the barrel syndrome is, let me enlighten you on the false accusations that make you believe that everyone in your community is infected with this in their DNA.

I for one and a lot of the people I surround myself with have this sort of camaraderie, we want to see each other achieve things and get out of the barrel. Some in hopes that you will look back and pull them out also or to at least cheer them on so they can find their own way out.  I am a true believer in helping others’ achieve their dreams and uplifting them spiritually, mentally or emotionally. Some people do things to get something in return, you have some that do things just to brag and say they did it for you , and then you have the God given one’s that want to help you just because. Unfortunately, you will run across the first two, you use them as stepping stones, say thank you and then get far away from them as you possibly can. Not saying turn your back on them, just hold them at arms’ length and if they are still in that barrel, help them find their way out and walk away. Now the God given ones’ I would hold on to them and reciprocate the same.

In the business that I am in, I need my community and I believe my community needs me. Therefore my community embraces me because of my positive attitude, and my willingness to help other people achieve their dreams and goals. I am a Black business woman who has come from an urban, underprivileged, and poverty stricken community, although I am sitting on the edge of the barrel not quite   out yet, people are cheering me on to get out and I am cheering for them to come up while holding my hand out.  You ask where the love is, here is the love, so much for stereotypes.