There is a deep misunderstanding that plays out in the hearts and minds of many people—especially when it comes to money, employment, and success in America. That misunderstanding is the belief that Black people are each other’s enemies. But that is far from the truth. We are not the enemy. The system that has been set in place long before most of us were even born is the real obstacle. That system was not created for us to thrive in. It was created to keep us in a specific position—at the bottom, working, surviving, but never truly living with abundance or freedom.
From the beginning, Black people in America were not meant to be full citizens. We were not brought to this land for prosperity. We were brought as labor, as property, to build someone else's dream. Over time, the rules changed, the chains became invisible, but the structure remained. Now we have jobs instead of plantations, debt instead of whips, and illusions of success that keep us chasing, hoping, and exhausting ourselves. But even with all of that, we are not powerless. We are not doomed. We just need to recognize what we’re up against and stop turning on each other.
Many of us grow up watching others around us struggle. We see our families work long hours and still barely make it. We see dreams crushed under the weight of bills, low pay, bad credit, and poor health. But instead of seeing that as a sign of a broken system, we often look at each other with blame. We think someone else’s success is the reason for our failure. We think if they made it, they must have cheated. Or we grow bitter when someone else has what we want. That mindset is dangerous. It divides us and distracts us from the real problem.
We have to understand this clearly: The system in place was never designed to make room for all of us at the top. It offers a few of us a taste of wealth, a glimpse of fame, a brief moment in the spotlight, and then uses that to convince the rest of us that if we just work harder, we can get there too. But that is a lie. Hard work is important, yes. Discipline is necessary, yes. But we must also recognize the barriers placed in our path. And instead of giving up or turning on each other, we must learn to navigate, outthink, and outlast those barriers.
This is a call to stop looking at each other as competition or as threats. If one of us rises, we all gain something. If one of us falls, it is not a victory for the rest. We need to build systems of support, of cooperation, of long-term thinking. We need to educate ourselves, teach our children financial discipline, and unlearn the habits of self-destruction that have been forced onto us. That’s the only way forward—together, not apart.
The road ahead is not easy, but it is not impossible. The first step is to see the truth. The second step is to accept that truth without shame. The third step is to act in a way that changes your position in this world, even if it takes time. If you are Black in America, you must move with a clear plan. You must understand money, even if no one taught you. Learn about credit, taxes, investments, and ownership. Understand that wealth is not built overnight. It is built through generations of discipline and sacrifice.
Get out of the mindset that a job is the finish line. A job is a tool, not a destination. Use it to build something greater. Save as much as you can, no matter how small. Avoid debt unless it builds your future. Start small businesses, even if they are simple at first. Learn skills that can be sold or traded. Find others who are on the same path. Build with them, not against them. That’s how real communities form. That’s how we create our own economy inside a system that was never made for us.
Understand your history. You are not broken. You are not lazy. You are the descendant of people who were forced to work without rest and without pay. Your body remembers that pain. Your spirit carries that burden. But you can turn that suffering into wisdom. You can break the cycle. Do not compare yourself to others, especially those who never had to start from behind. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Build one step at a time.
Also, avoid the trap of fake wealth. Expensive clothes, cars, and gadgets are distractions. They make you feel like you’ve made it, but they take more than they give. True wealth is quiet. It is savings, it is land, it is ownership, it is time. It is being able to say “no” because you are not desperate. That kind of wealth doesn’t come from impressing others. It comes from discipline and self-control.
Last, learn to protect your peace. Do not let this system wear you down so badly that you start hurting those closest to you. Your family is not your enemy. Your neighbor is not your enemy. Another Black man or woman is not your enemy. The stress of the system is real, but you cannot let it poison your spirit. Heal yourself. Talk to others. Reach out. Pray. Meditate. Rest. Whatever you have to do to stay grounded, do it.
We are not each other’s enemies. We are survivors of a system that has tried to keep us down for centuries. But survival is not enough anymore. We must grow. We must thrive. And we must do it together. That means seeing each other as allies, not rivals. It means helping someone else win, even when you’re still struggling. It means taking what little you have and making it stretch—not just for you, but for the people around you. That’s how real progress is made. That’s how legacies are built.
There is power in unity. There is strength in shared goals. When we work together, we can overcome the systems that were built to divide us. We must stop measuring success by who can escape the struggle alone. That’s a trap. Real success is when we build a foundation so solid that those who come after us never have to struggle the same way. That is the true definition of wealth and power. And it starts with changing how we see each other.
If you are a Black person in America, especially if you are just arriving or trying to make your way, know this—your struggle is not unique. There is a map already drawn in blood, sweat, and sacrifice. Learn from those who came before. Ask questions. Observe patterns. Make your own way, but don’t forget those beside you. Nobody makes it alone. And nobody should have to.
So the next time you feel like someone else’s success makes your path harder, remember what the system wants. It wants us fighting. It wants us jealous. It wants us silent. Refuse to give it that satisfaction. Celebrate your people. Support your people. Teach your people. And if you’ve made it even one step ahead, turn around and help the next person forward.
Because again—we are not your enemies. We are your reflection, your family, your tribe. And if we ever want to win in this system, we must stop warring against each other and start building with each other. That is the only road that leads to true freedom. And it is one we must walk together.
Share this post