Is Black business paving the way?

Black Enterprise, June, 1996 by Eric L. Smith

Most BEBE members stand firm against the notion of totally eliminating deductions. One concern is that charitable donations would suffer if they couldn't be used as a tax write-off. "Deductions signal what kind of society we are, what kind of priorities we have and that they are important ones," says Reuben. "At an individual level, you decide charity is important when you choose to take that [as a deduction]."

Broader concerns were that by revamping the entire tax structure, the gateway would be open to tailoring a tax system that would redistribute the tax burden to poor and moderate-income people.

TIME TO TAKE A STAND

Underlining the economy as a key factor in the elections, the board pointed to the economic slowdown now in effect. If that situation worsens, what will be the implications for Clinton?

"The other thing is if Clinton should have one of his patented missteps or if the economy does go into a recession, it would not bode well for his reelection efforts," says Boston. Then, says the board, the Supreme Court, Congress, statehouses and the White House could all be controlled by the far right.

The board agrees that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the future of affirmative action looks bleak. No matter who gets elected, African Americans should plan now for reductions in affirmative action for business programs, both at the federal and state levels. How fast they will be reduced depends on who wins the White House and congressional seats. "But the mood for now in the business, global and competitive worlds is that support systems are probably going to be eroded at both state and federal levels," says Reuben.

"That's why so much is at stake," adds Swinton. "The election is not a lock. And African Americans and people of goodwill need to get out there and get very busy and raise the right kinds of issues to keep this thing from falling apart."