Customer Service

Well, I finished reading another book yesterday, marking the 10th during this pandemic. Ten down, several more to go! They’ve all been good, but if you asked which I enjoyed the most I’d have to go with The Tubman Command -- a fictional account of Harriet Tubman’s time as a Union soldier. From the first page to the last, it’s an amazing read and I highly recommend it.

The fiction surrounding Harriet is good, but the facts, are even better. Historians believe she made 19 trips and freed over 300 during her one-woman campaign to end slavery. Moses is what she came to be known as and on every plantation, her name rang out. In the Big House, it rang out as owners slept with one eye open, hoping to catch the woman powerful enough to threaten the cornerstone of their very existence.

In the slave community, the name Moses rang out as slaves prayed that she’d show up and whisk them to freedom. “Thank you Lord for I know Moses is on her way. She’s on her way to get me and mine and take us to the Promised Land … I’m thanking you and I …” then without warning a powerful whisper would interrupt their prayers …

Go down Moses

Way down to Egypt’s Land

Tell Old Pharaoh

Let my people go

That was the song Harriet Tubman softly sung as she crept through the slave community, alerting them that the time was at hand, their prayers had been heard and the answer herself was in their midst. Some obeyed when they heard without a second thought, but sadly others didn’t.

“Oh, Sister Moses, I didn’t know you was coming tonight. Don’t know that my heart is right to leave … you mind hiding over yonder in the woods for a spell until I figure it out?” “Sister Harriet, so good to see you, but I didn’t think you was ever gone come. I can’t just take out right now without first saying bye to my people. Can we wait until morning?” “I’m powerful tired from working in those fields all day Moses and I just started my supper. How about you join me and let’s talk this thing through?”

These and so many more reservations were voiced by slaves, caught off guard by the arrival of the one and only Moses, standing ready to shepherd them to freedom. “No time for all that, you asked for me now I’m here. Let’s move,” said Moses.

Some left, but sadly, the vast majority didn’t. They stayed not because they loved being a slave: what fool would ever love that? Not because they feared growing homesick: a plantation was no place to call home. They stayed, they missed out on that blessing because when the person they’d been praying finally showed up … They weren’t ready.

***

Black business owners listen very closely … can you hear it?

Go down Moses

Way down to Egypt’s Land

Tell Old Pharaoh

Let my people go

That’s your customer singing to you, telling you that he, she, they have arrived. One of the many sub-messages filtering through the Black Lives Matters movement that has taken this nation by storm is the call to support black businesses. Social media, radio, television, text messages, email chains and a host of other platforms are being used to drive it. Here’s the final piece of the puzzle, the key that unlocks the door, the proverbial elephant in the room. You ready? Black businesses don’t need to tell black customers to support them – we’ve always wanted to. Black customers need black businesses … to support them. Let me explain.

For years black customers have been here, ready to spend our hard-earned dollar. We make an appointment for 10, show up on-time ready to handle whatever affairs are on deck. “So good to see you brother”, says the black business owner. “Be patient with me, I’m running a little bit behind.” That “be patient” turns into 11 and before long, it’s 11:30 and then it’s 12. The black business owner finally emerges. He takes care of you, but only after he’s thrown the rest of your day into chaos, because whatever else you had planned, can’t be done. It can’t be done, because you, black customer heard the call and tried to support the black business owner … but he wasn’t ready …

Years ago, a brother with a landscaping service caught me as I was pulling into my garage. I came out, talked to him and we agreed he’d do my lawn every Tuesday. The first Tuesday went great. That following Tuesday I found myself driving home after a long day. As I turned into my subdivision, my mood changed as I was about to pull up to a nice, manicured yard – or so I thought. He never made it by that Tuesday … or Wednesday so that Thursday I called. “My bad”, was his response. We went on with this erratic scheduling for about a month before I finally told him I’d do it myself. I tried to support that black busines owner … but he wasn’t ready …

Black business owner this isn’t a condemnation, it’s an observation, because I want this historic time in our nation to become a much-deserved celebration…for you! I want to come to your restaurant and order everything in large – extra-large if you have it -- with cheese on top of it. I want to order dessert – even though it means I’ll have to run an extra 5-10 miles a week. Those extra miles might hurt my knees, but the reason behind them will warm my heart. I’ll buy that dessert – hell I’ll buy two and smile while I’m running those miles because I know that you, black business owner, you’re still in the race. Just be ready …

Listen closely because they’re here. With each passing day, a new mind is awakened and it’s no longer a whisper … no, at this point, it’s a roar! Moses has arrived don’t you dare let her leave without you. Plantation owners all over the country are sleeping with one eye open, because they understand she’s bringing $1 trillion in spending power. Don’t hesitate and wait until next time because next time isn’t promised. Don’t wave her off … we might not pass this way again.

In honor of Harriet Tubman, and all she has come to represent. In honor of those who bravely heard her call and left as well as those who heard but didn’t leave and spent a lifetime wishing they had. As I grab my keys, wallet and turn the knob on your door, Black business owner, with love, can I make one small request?

Just … be … ready …