I think it is so good that you post intellectual things on your site and not just music and gossip. It is very admirable.

Oh, and first!!

Interesting. Social Responsibity. It would be nice, perhaps you should forward this China! No more toys with lead.

Although I failed to mention in the entry, GOOD Magazine is perhaps my most recent inspiration of DGADW. GOOD is an edgy bi-monthly focused on social, political and environmental issues with a bold strategy of donating 100 percent of its subscription revenue to non-profit groups.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
- Romans 12:2

Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

I have read Milton Friedman and as I am sure you know he is speaking of what social responsibility a business owes to its investors. Unless your an investor going in knowing that a business is a good social citizen then you are under the reasonable assumption that that business is doing all it can to earn a profit. I am not speaking about profit by any means. I am speaking about making a profit without making the world worse but not necessarily making it better. I have no problems with corporations with a social ethic. Just as an investor let me know beforehand that it is part of the manifest.

Speaking about Hip Hop and the Business around it

Sounds like he’s describing my boss to an extent. He don’t care about his perception in the community, trouncing smaller competitors, enviornmental issues or anything else that pertains to being socially responsible. Good business to him is profit by any means necessary. I guess being the sole owner of the company, having your own racing team and paying the largest amount of taxes than any american (hint hint) will make you a money hungry beast, lol.

I am very excited that this topic is on CL. I agaree that profits shouldn’t only include monetary revenues but also an asset to the society it is surrounded by. I am an accounting major and my primary purpose for choosing this major was to prepare me for my own business and I have always wanted to stay true to my spiritual and compassionate nature. So reading this article has influenced my business ideas once more. I also like that romans scripture, good job!

Many people who go into business, go into business simply and primarily to make money. There are business people who are community minded and have a socially conscious focus, but often times those people work for and with organizations whose main objective is not making money.

When you happen to find a business that is committed to both - it’s a wonderful thing, but definitely not the norm. Most businesses don’t even care about the individuals that work for them - and oftentimes the community and social aspect of their business it just to gain more publicity and community favor, so that they can make….. MORE MONEY.

Angel La I have to say this was a great addition to your site. You are really growing a site that is going to out-do the other 2 black-owned high traffic sites….unfortunately sandra didnt even make the list of the other two.

I the balance here! Keep doing your thing.

I applaud companies that make a concerted effort to do more than just bank profits. But the one thing I hate is when corporations jump on bandwagons and start touting new business philosophies because it’s the “in” thing. Case in point: GOING GREEN. A lot of companies are trying to fool consumers into believing they’ve changed the product and made it more environmentally safe but it’s generally a lie. Changing the color of a bottle to green is not the same as changing the product inside the bottle. It really irritates me when companies take people for idiots just for the sake of making a few more dollars. On the other hand, the consumer has to be wise also and not give their money to companies that aren’t socially or environmentally conscious.

@Clarkthink, this is not the forum for negativity. I usually find you amusing and you have the right to post whatever you want. But was it really necessary for you to come on this particular post just for the sake of being here? The “kids” have their threads and us grown folks have ours. Or at least, can we have it???? Sheesh.

I believe that it is vital to the economy to have successful businesses. I also believe that while making the decision to start your own business, it your responsibility to start one that will help the community. I think most people go into it with the thought of what can “I” get out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I want to make money as well, but I truley believe that if I am not taking this money or using this service to help others, I will be doing in injustice to my community and myself. The more stable people are in this country, the more successful we will all be.

WOW! I am so very impressed with this post. Good job J.

I have a MBA, I live in Compton, Ca. and I feel that businesses here in the Los Angeles area and other “urban” areas are in it to win it. There is no real loyalty to the customer. The way the economy is, most, not all, business owners are out to make a profit to keep their homes, keep their kids fed, and just survive. Until we get the economy back on track, consumers will suffer. I also think local government needs to step in and make business accountable for improper actions. We are a rich and mighty nation, we owe it to each other to do better.

It would be admirable if businesses tried this approach of doing “good” but if you think about the hiring practices of most of these Fortune companies that is where they could really do the most good.

One of the biggest problems in the black community is the prison revolving door. How can felons repair their life if they cannot find lucrative employment? These fortune companies are the main ones that want a cookie cutter work force that have dotted all their i’s and crossed all their t’s in life. No room for a person with drug charges on their record.

I am not saying that people should hire all excons. I am just saying that after 3 or 4 years give peeps a chance to repair their life. That is where these companies could do the most good.

Can I say: I LOVE IT! As a young entrepreneur, this is timely. I really love that you’re on this site J.!

Powerful stuff. I read “A Lawyer’s Life” when I was in 8th grade and it was amazing. Johnnie Cochran has always inspired me, though I have switched intended career paths many times since.

Great Post!

I LOVE the balance here!

Keep it coming!

Very intriguing article. Ive always wanted to start a business with this approach, without it being detrimental to the community. You can do good business, do good and do well at the same time. I just wish more people would adopt this philosophy.

All these oil companies conducting their business, ruining the ecosystem with no remorse. Not realizing that THEY have to live in the same world as us.

And why is that things that are good for us are the most expensive?

Funny how there are not many comments on this post but everyone can jump and talk about Rihanna and Beyonce all day, as if those two are concerned about the world.

So…I had my WHOLE comment written, and I’ll be damned if my wireless didn’t go out!! Get right, campus. ::smh:: Maybe God’s tryin to tell me not to be so long-winded, lol.

::sigh:: Short version: Both views are interesting, especially when you try to reconcile the two.

On the one hand, Friedman makes a valid point. He argues that a business is but an arm of the economy, a social institution, and therefore should be anomic. To posit that such entities should assume social responsibility - let alone be capable of it - would be an act of textbook reification. Also, remembering that he was all but the monetarists’ poster child, it only makes sense that he would be disappointed in the way business was done at the time, even blaming the most pressing economic issue of the day (inflation) on lack of fiscal responsibility. It seemed only logical, then, to call for a shift of focus from social responsibility to fiscal responsibility in light of a more immediate concern.

Still, I feel you Dakar. Too often we see individuals or entities with the influence and or resources to affect necessary and lasting change, and they balk at the opportunity because of possible detriment to their bottom line. And far too often, privileged people forget that they have a very real and critical responsibility to the disadvantaged! But, that’s a WHOLE different topic, lol…

Keep em coming though brother! We need this kind of discussion.

So…I had my WHOLE comment written, and I’ll be damned if my wireless didn’t go out!! Get right, campus. ::smh:: Maybe God’s tryin to tell me not to be so long-winded, lol.

::sigh:: Short version: Both views are interesting, especially when you try to reconcile the two.

On the one hand, Friedman makes a valid point. He argues that a business is but an arm of the economy, a social institution, and therefore should be anomic. To posit that such entities should assume social responsibility - let alone be capable of it - would be an act of textbook reification, and I agree there. Also, remembering that he was all but the monetarists’ poster child, it only makes sense that he would be disappointed in the way business was done at the time, even blaming the most pressing economic issue of the day (inflation) on lack of fiscal responsibility. It seemed only logical, then, for him to call for a shift of focus from social responsibility to fiscal responsibility in light of a more immediate concern.

Still, I feel you Dakar. Too often we see individuals or entities with the influence and or resources to affect necessary and lasting change, and they balk at the opportunity because of possible detriment to their bottom line. And far too often, privileged people forget that they have a very real and critical responsibility to the disadvantaged! But, that’s a WHOLE different topic, lol…

Keep em coming though brother! We need this kind of discussion.

If people have social responsibility then a group of people (i.e. a business) has exponential social responsibility.

I am loving this new content added to CL. Y’all keep up the great work. This post was very informative and thought-provoking.

I agree with Milton. The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.

Much props on this post! This is why Concrete Loop is the best out her by far because they cover all bases.

I totally agree with you guys. I’m a Howard University graduate and I also have a graduate business degree from The George Washington University. I’ve also been working in business for almost 10 years. Anyone who works in business knows that a business that is not in business to make a profit is a waste of time and will definitely soon be out of business. However, once a business becomes successful, it’s only right that they give back in some way. It’s good karma.

Keep doing your thing guys!

Kudos! Even if you’re a small business, giving back with time, volunteering your services, it doesn’t always have to be in monetary form. The importance of nurturing a community is a priceless investment.

I am Incredibly Pleased with this Post, J. Dakar and Angel La!

As much as I love the enertainment blogs on CL, I would absolutely love to see more of these conscious and socially aware blogs as well.

Funny thing, I accidentally found GOOD Magazine’s website a while back, way before i even knew who J Dakar was.. I was just looking for well designed sites to model.. But now that I know its his site, I’m gonna look into it more!

Also, It would be great if there was a list of these “do good and do well” businesses, so that I could go out and support them.. I’m gonna look at the fashion sites already listed in this blog.

Thanks again guys for an AWESOME blog!
Love,
Nigeria K.

Very insightful. I enjoyed the post. I’m a college entrepreneur @ Morehouse College and its rare to see business conducted with social conscience….I’ll implement that more in my day-to-day business. Thank You