Author Charles Blow: Why Black Americans Should Migrate Back to the South | Amanpour and Company

After living in New York for 25 years, columnist and author Charles Blow made the decision to move south to Atlanta. In his new book, "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto," he proposes that Black Americans in the north do the same and return to the South -- the region fled by their ancestors -- with the intention of establishing political power in key cities. Blow joins Hari Sreenivasan to make his case for a reverse Great Migration.
Originally aired on February 3, 2021.
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@patrickdailey3157]

Blow makes really solid points. I’m a native Nashvillian but did my undergrad in Baltimore and grad in Boston. I travel and work extensively around the country and without a doubt Boston is the most systemically racist and segregated city I’ve lived. NYC and others aren’t far behind. While we definitely have our issues, southern cities and towns tend to have more Black leadership, institutions, businesses, and ownership. That alone is very empowering and can aid in generational wealth and advancement.

[@jrshield7793]

Your right about Boston.

[@nhexum3031]

Great comment. I’m from small town AL but have lived in CO for 9 years and have observed similar things. It is very uncommon to hear people use racial slurs in Denver, which is unfortunately not the case in AL and the South in general, but Denver is the most segregated city I’ve ever lived in. CO struggles as much with racism and inequality as AL, but it is swept under the rug, rather than being an open wound. Instead of using the N word or openly discriminating against black folks, people cloak their biases in language that seems reasonable. They want to live in “safe neighborhoods” with good schools. It’s funny that all the so-called safe neighborhoods are 99.9% white, and all the good schools are similar. I have never lived in an all white neighborhood in the South, but I have in Denver. I think it just comes down to people having biases they’re not aware of and/or don’t want to confront. People who aren’t Southern have the ability to believe that the mere fact they don’t use the N word is enough to not be racist or have racial biases, even when they are expressing racial biases in a host of other ways.

[@robinsss]

@@nhexum3031 there's no need to move back to the south blacks already control the neighborhoods they live up north

[@yvonneplant9434]

It's an interesting discussion but obviously would not work for everyone. All four of my grand parents were part of the first northern black migration over a century ago. They all went to Philadelphia. So most of my family's roots are in the Phila. area not somewhere else.

[@nhexum3031]

@@robinsss Where did I say blacks should move South? Did you read my comment at all? Besides this being unrelated my actual comment, the entire interview was about black voters gaining political power. Neighborhood control doesn’t earn US Senate seats. Did you watch the interview?

[@GrantSR]

I love how the interviewer is asking just the right questions to allow Mr. Blow to explain his most important points.

[@babadabdianogo]

Hari looks so frustrated the entire time.

[@stephdrake2521]

@@babadabdianogo he is frustrated because he has bought into whiteness and anyone opposing whiteness he will fight to defend it. Charles makes a good point for the majority of Black people to live normal without white supremacy hanging over their heads . Black governors, Black representatives fighting for the rights of all people. Just imagine if a small number of white people lived in the south with majority Black people. The black people wouldn’t become violent and not take away from what other whites wanted ..... when you are oppressed, it’s not revenge but growth to never do that to anyone again.

[@yoyoyodaboy]

@@babadabdianogo did he? I think he just has a resting, interested frown lol

[@winstonnorton2774]

@Grant Robertson I hate that more than 400 years later, we are yet clammering for power in a system that was never designed nor instituted to accommodate our people. We are still trying to mesh with another nation and thus continue to repeat the same mistakes our fathers (children of Israel) made. If only we would be as relentless about following Yah's laws as we are pursuing another nation's goals, we could then begin our Nation Building Exploits. The Divided states of America has and continues to successfully dumb a great many of us down.

[@blakesleyk.7166]

@@winstonnorton2774 Yahwey? Ok. Not buying FANTASY ties to Israel. By his logic Liberia would be a paradise. Yet, there it is. Hell. Absolute HELL on planet Earth. His “logic” BLOWS.

[@leroybrown2641]

good idea, but we just need to do things without telling the whole country

[@350BMW09]

Agreed!

[@sabeto5527]

Exactly!

[@YTHatesMe-999]

I third that!!!

[@kaliha55]

We need a way to communicate without the masses knowing. 100%.?

[@ByteMwen]

So how do we organise privately? On the black-only internet?

[@beatricebrown8221]

I moved to Georgia after having lived in many other states in the US and other countries. There is racism everywhere. I am fortunate to have been able to buy a beautiful farm property close to a college town. I would love to see more Black middle class move here to bring vibrance and intellect to this community. We can prosper.

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

Good for u

[@Cryptofun325]

Well count this me in cause I'm moving from Alaska to Georgia. I talk to lots of blacks who say the same. Georgia is gonna flip overnight. Most of my peeps are originally from either Virginia, North Carolina or Georgia. But Georgia for me feels like I'm meant to be there!

[@chrissyg55]

@Waterpuppy Bird Take white women??

[@roncoleman7813]

@@chrissyg55 RIGHT!!

[@roncoleman7813]

And she can't even spell...just illiterate

[@ralphstephan353]

Of those American citizens who’s lives are dedicated to righting wrongs Charles Blow is one of the most prominent, a national treasure!

[@victirynom]

I totally agree with you.

[@kingdavid2083]

If that's true we're in serious trouble.

[@TheBighatter]

"righting wrongs" by advocating re-segregation or by ignoring the demonstrable progress made in the last 5 decades?

[@TheBighatter]

@@chocolatecosmos1424 Adorable.

[@msdramamusic]

He is right and not only to cities like Atlanta become back to the rural areas were blacks used to own Acres of Farmland. I'm from Florida but my family came from Live Oak Florida where they sharecropped hundreds of acres of land and when the man who owned the land died they were given some not all the land they were promised because his family took it from them but we own the land. We need more black families in the country in growing food not tips for politics but also that we can be the majority when we're voting in Rural America.

[@SunshineKK99]

I agree but I don't think he should be giving away the Blueprint..move in silence..🤫

[@misstriciaskitchen8640]

I live in a small Georgia town and people have been retiring and coming back here for decades so yes they need to come to rural areas too. We have been able to achieve political power even in small rural communities.

[@Cryptofun325]

@@misstriciaskitchen8640 I'm thinking of moving to Grayson, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Douglasville, Lithonia, Cummings, Lilburn. Are those good suburb/rural areas to go. I don't wanna be in an economically depressed area just to be around my own peeps. It will be like crabs in barrel.

[@rovingwarrior3710]

I'm slightly over 60 now and have lived in CT for most of my life and visited Live Oak, FL in the early seventies when I was about 12. I went to the movies with cousins there and when we got there I was told that we had to go in through the back door. I was in total disbelief and refused to go in. I had heard of that stuff but had no idea it was still going on even then. I was in the Air Force in the late 70s as a teenager and was stationed at a base in Columbus MS. The fist week I was there, I was watching a local news station interviewing a guy sitting in their studio dressed in full KKK gear , white robe and all. Again I couldn't believe it and knew then that I was in a place that was a different atmosphere than anything I was used to.

[@idontknowaboutthat1904]

@@rovingwarrior3710 They'll be wearing police uniforms or judges robes today. Some wear suits in boardrooms and statehouses, but they're still there.

[@lascellesferguson2167]

We've seen this in the Atlanta area when Black people moved to places like Rockdale and Newton Counties and changed those areas.

[@southern4comfort]

Moving or living in a place is different from, more importantly, being >>civically active and participating

[@jayjonah83]

Is it just me or did that correspond to the rise in the hip-hop scene in Atlanta?

[@saintblack6836]

For the good or bad?

[@robertdore9592]

@@southern4comfort The journey of a thousand miles starts with one single step.

[@robertdore9592]

@@jayjonah83 Possibly.

[@endigosun]

Man... this is such a great interview. They really get into the weeds of the most controversial topics. It’s conversation that’s really needed if we’re EVER going to straighten these issues out.

[@Godstrumpet2010]

Charles Blow always comes with an informed and direct voice on the issues he covers. Glad he wrote this book.

[@350BMW09]

Reading Mr. Blow’s book now and I think he’s on to something here. Bravo for this informative interview!

[@browncontessa6249]

Yes, he is definitely on it! Although, I wonder, will it be well received by those who are needing to receive it. Very thought provoking and thus far, I appreciate and applaud him for imparting the knowledge in his book.

[@teddys3558]

Charles is a real dude. He is not into placating and supplicating himself before white people. He thinks in a very clear and bold fashion. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@stephj9378]

A big city person coming down South to express and promote the same failed policies that ruined their last place is NOT a good thing. Coming home to help build their communities based on family centered policies, however, is a wonderful thing.

[@whoome1638]

@Brandy Brown I agree

[@reginaldbrown3240]

I have looked at migrations particularly of AA in post civil war 1867-1920 the State of Arkansas had the largest migration of AA in America where it was deemed “The Great Negro State of AMERICA ”(Story Matkin-Rawn). Even though Arkansas was infiltrated with Jim Crow!! Once this migration occurred in all of the respective offices local, state & Federal respectively AA were elected, why? Because of majority AA populations in the South!! Many were not sustained because IMO there were not enough milita-minded individuals to have legitimately fought against the honestly coward “ Jim Crow” beneficiaries!! If only that had occurred the history of the South would be dramatically different as this gentleman is referencing!!

[@judykinsman3258]

I don’t know my friend. As someone, white, who grew up during Jim Crow, and tried for so many years to help assist change, I finally gave up and left the south at 63. The ingrained racism is as bad, worse, today. Voter suppression & gerrymandering along with the unwillingness of the DNC to support winning state offices makes living here as a defender of human rights for all impossible. My opinion.

[@amber40494]

So sad, but I think people like Stacy Abrams are making a difference. Here in AZ the Hispanics are around 48%, even more in tucson. They turned the state blue after hard work for years. So the repubs want to pass a law that they can change electoral votes, voters be dawned. It could pass in this racist state!

[@endigosun]

Thank you for the time you invested. It’s the work done by people like you that tip the balance for the next generation to experience something better.

[@judykinsman3258]

@@amber40494 again, I reintegrate - look at what the state legislature did. Censured those who voted for impeachment - they run the state.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Jim Crow is NOT dead.

[@bdadolph]

I would be interested in understanding how racism could be worse today than back in 63. Still do not see any Lester Maddox around

[@garegardner6782]

Mr Blow is a complete researcher and great communicator. Intelligence with passion. He has a smart plan.

[@higher_pwr8178]

Smart plan. . .how so.

[@kingdavid2083]

Mr, Blow has the right name, for hot air with no substance. It's a very shallow plan going nowhere.

[@kingdavid2083]

Complete researcher? Who paid you to lie on that man?

[@garegardner6782]

@@kingdavid2083 Perhaps you get paid to lie "on" men.. you should not transfer your conditions onto others, nor approach them in songs of anger. But thank you queen David, your eloquence is equal to your critical thinking skills.

[@kingdavid2083]

@@garegardner6782 Reaction with no substance. Love you Bro.

[@cathywasserman4571]

Charles Blow is a national treasure and visionary, thank you so much for such an in-depth interview!

[@kingdavid2083]

National treasure and visionary for our enemies and all who hate us. That's why they're pushing such a flawed vision.

[@flutefunk]

I love this interview and I’m so happy he clarified what black power is and that it is not aligned with a party AND that there is not a thing called “black supremacy “

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Right. There is only The American Creed or American Germans who enslaved us, thus we bear their surname. They are the so-salled patriots, founders, settlers, pioneers...

[@chrisper94]

@Sara M, patriots fought to gain independence from Britain, which solidified the institution of slavery prior to northern states ending the practice. These same patriots exiled anti-slavery blacks to Nova Scotia, Canada, because they fought for the British in hope's of ending slavery prior to the new nation. America's true history is based on slavery and nothing else. Everything else is just romanticism.

[@icemike1]

Thanks drop the party

[@icemike1]

@Sara M stop lying the war wasn't about ending slavery

[@samuelgilmore3998]

I'm of the opinion we all need to move toward a more Godly life Style which has never happen From Adam and Eve.You can Search Biblical history or man made history and you will discover

[@bl5752]

This is why I love this program. Such good public journalism.

[@lokasenna32]

That's how a psychiatrists works, they just ask the right questions. I do although feel like he's talking about a sort of resegrigating? Am I hearing him wrong?

[@hazzard5011]

@@lokasenna32 Didn’t you LISTEN to the interview? He addressed that question thoroughly! Learn to listen better!

[@lesliefountainwilliams5264]

The system is working the way in which it was planned. The system is against any type of Black power, large or small.

[@abrahamabraham1019]

Amen. As long as we are in America, we will experience the same thing. It was not designed for us, nor designed for us to be considered equal

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

BINGO!

[@Bidness100]

💯

[@vsgeneal6248]

Somebody once pointed out to me that in the south, racism is against Blacks as a group but not on an individual basis. In the north, tolerance is for Blacks as a group, but not for individuals.

[@okotuilio2786]

I read somewhere something similar. In the south blacks can move close but not move up. In the north they can move up but not close. Something like that.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

What say you?

[@tracytaylor5115]

Interesting thought.

[@kingdavid2083]

Two sides of the same coin.

[@hodell82]

From a purely common sense standpoint, he's right. It's a numbers game - where you have greater numbers of Black people, you have greater opportunities to assume positions of leadership. I live in Atlanta, which has not had a white mayor since 1974.

[@batgirlp5561]

I'm glad this man is working to make a difference. I stand with him.

[@joedellaselva1251]

Where do you live Batgirl P?

[@aDDmoreJuiceTV]

INDEED! His interviews are a must-watch.

[@batgirlp5561]

@@joedellaselva1251 In the US.

[@joedellaselva1251]

@@batgirlp5561 I live in Charlotte, North Carolina........are you doing your part for Mr. Blow's efforts which you find soooooooo important?

[@weantoine]

​@@joedellaselva1251 WE need to be EVERYWHERE and if you listen, that is what he said...NOT ALL just many. And the MOVE IS ON. SO many of us have moved to SC, NC and GA to get this started. I am in VA and we have lots of us that just moved here-I been here my whole life. It is going to happen Batgirl can stay happily where she is -this movement is going to happen and her /his support is loved.

[@boldblackandbeautiful1756]

Now, THIS is how an interview NEEDS TOO be done. Although the interviewer is not white, he is showing this gentleman the respect he deserves. Other news reporters would have to told him that what he's purposing is wrong, racist, or unfair. Some probably would suggest that he's a segregationist; only to be labeled as the person who is keeping racism alive in America because he won't stop talking about it.

[@wandalf]

Whites built this country! Blacks did not. But want the credit for it. Think about it; the cities we built, we wrote the Constitution, and We are the ones who died to free slaves for the first time in human history where the majority population holding the power, has ever done this. The Black population was mainly isolated in the South and played a minor role in this country's greatness. Start taking credit for what you have done and not for what you didn't! Furthermore, Blacks are 13% of the population which breaks down to 6% males add 1% of black females comes to = 7%. This 7% commits 60% of ALL VIOLENT CRIME in our country. Blacks kill whites 66% more than the other way around. Plus, Whites pay the majority, most of all taxes paid, and get the least amount of benefits from the gov't, and blacks and native Americans receive the most. So, who are the victims?

[@lawabidingcitizen73]

I've never heard of Charles Blow but he now has my attention.

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

Charles Blow worked for CNN not sure if he still does

[@sharenalynn]

Same here

[@alexanderblack389]

He’s related to Curtis blow the rapper.

[@perryvalton4245]

You never know yourself until your back is against the wall..........Marcus Garvey.

[@LadySwag502]

Real Facts. Brother Garvey nailed it.

[@rv292]

Blacks wouldn't have it so difficult if they didn't PUBLICIZE whatever they intend to do. People WOULDN'T KNOW how to stop Blacks if they didn't hand out their plans and blueprints like this guy is doing (again). Black Wall Street victims expected their descendants to be wiser at this stage. Instead, these ''descendants'' are publishing their plans and giving interviews about it. You couldn't make this up! In the mean time other marginalized/minority groups are silently building, keeping their eyes in the successful Asian community that was also extremely abused in the past (but learned to build in silence). Sabotage is a real thing.

[@escofhari]

@@rv292 touché. And no one will ever respect those who Telegraph their assertions! Art of strategy...

[@kimc5390]

@@rv292 They always find us regardless because we are always top of mind.

[@frederickgriffith7004]

I still don't believe this is the proper country to raise a Black child.To work and make a living.Yes.The Best.Our University system.The Best.Its physical beauty rival to none.But to raise and nurture a family.No.Just too much hatred and selfishness.I am happy and content to remain single with no children.

[@bludaizee24]

I'm white & I'd love to see this happen. This might be the only path to reparations. If black people strategically get into office they'll be able to grant reparations themselves. When the WS start crying they can say, "Well, you told us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps!" Lol

[@michaelsquare9325]

@@idontknowmuch3441 Did this country put men on the moon? Then dealing with reparations should be possible, if you want to do the right thing. Putting it off only will make it more difficult. On another note, I want reparations... the liquid kind with some free labour thrown in. You can keep the fiat currency. Blood and working bodies are what's required as is written in the Bible. "He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity..."

[@ade6219]

@@idontknowmuch3441 do read "From Here To Equality>Reparations For Black Americans In The Twenty-First Century",by Darity/Mullen. In this book it's all laid out plainly. And do remember that it wasn't difficult for the paying of Reparations to all the other groups that's gotten it.

[@idontknowmuch3441]

@@michaelsquare9325 I mis read the comment. I’m all for what ever it takes for reparations to happen.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@michaelsquare9325 wow

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@michaelsquare9325 Did they put men on the moon? There is extreme opposition to reparations for DOS in red states.

[@traceylankford8579]

Think about it? Before they burned it down, how were blacks doing in majority-black Tulsa back in 1921?

[@Buildsolarhomes]

Tulsa, OK DID NOT HAVE a majority black population in 1921(and there has never been a majority black population citywide in Tulsa). Black Wall Street (the Greenwood District......ie......"neighborhood") was on 40 acres located within the city of Tulsa. What people should know is that in 1921 in the State of Oklahoma there were 50 Black Townships that NEVER experienced any racial violence. Those townships had their own Municipalities with their own black police forces, black justice systems, and black businesses.

[@traceylankford8579]

@@Buildsolarhomes Thank you for that clarification.

[@SunshineKK99]

@@Buildsolarhomes Regardless, Blacks were prosperous collectively in Tulsa...

[@robertdore9592]

And rosewood

[@chrissyg55]

@@billycurry3504 Not just poor whites, Whites!! America used their Military to destroy Black prosperous Towns along with white citizens after disarming Black Americans. Blacks built from nothing and surpassed them and they had to put an end to it and then say Blacks can not out perform whites and write more Laws against Black people. Some Black soldiers were killed in their uniform after returning to America from fighting in a war with America and buried in Mass Graves. I'm Shocked Black People haven't built their Own separately But this time Build their Own military to protect their Communities from the USA military.

[@JayJones]

Brilliant! Bought the book...excellent plan! Moved from LA to ATL in 2015....turned out TREMENDOUSLY well for me and mine.

[@afrobeatsplanet]

Why is telling "them" our secrets or power moves. We treat the whole world like its our confessor.

[@beeawesome2869]

Because he wants everyone to buy his book.

[@Ms.Ameen_Braveheart]

It's not a secret. It needs to become common knowledge. We need to agree on it, our opposers need to respect it and everyone needs to support it happening, us and them. Secrets? You imply we have some black alliance already where we have secrets. We don't! He is laying out a plan that we can all get behind for black empowerment regardless to our religious or political differences. And it's a plan that our opposers may not fully oppose because they don't want to be around us either. This can be a step towards reparations.

[@Ms.Ameen_Braveheart]

If we do this, then we may be able to vote for monies (reparations) sent to our states. Or our states may become entitled like other states have entitlements from the state or government. Guilty whyte folks might even send us some philanthropic money. It's unlimited what we could do. Don't be scared. Things can't get much worse than they are now.

[@instantlymagic6495]

I like his thoughts on this subject.

[@endigosun]

@@Ms.Ameen_Braveheart Yep, I agree... it’s one really good idea to consider and/or act upon.

[@ayoungethan]

his arguments make a lot of sense eg in light of other historical research such as Complicity: How the North Promoted, Prolonged, and Profited from Slavery.

[@rasheeda1303]

economically/educational wise I agree

[@Agboka]

I just bought that book "Complicity" few weeks ago and I'm taking it in.

[@higher_pwr8178]

It's called Capitalism.

[@kingdavid2083]

His argument was so confusing he couldn't agree with it.

[@GrantSR]

I don't know if his solution will work... But none of the things he is saying are wrong.

[@MAYK1NG]

It takes time and will when policy and history are not on your side.

[@noble604]

He didn’t say anything wrong but that interviewer sure did. At about 14:00 he says large numbers of African Americans voted for Trump in 2020. Trump got 8% of the 2020 Black vote, up from 6% in 2016. 8% is hardly a large number. I was hoping that would have been discussed. Yes there’s alot to unpack in this.

[@endigosun]

@@noble604 He must’ve meant “more blacks than most would’ve thought” voted for Trump. And THAT was simply a repudiation of feminist/postmodernist indoctrination of black people in the Democratic Party.

[@noble604]

r. gardner - Trump’s 2020 numbers are reported as high as 12% (see Forbes) but generally are reported at 8%, consistent with other recent Republicans who got roughly as high as 9% of the Black vote. In the 2016 general election, exit polls for Pennsylvania, for example, showed 99% of Black women voted for Hillary Clinton with 1% voting for Trump with a 3% margin of error. As we all know, Trump reported his characteristics as “unique,” “bigger than ever” and “no one has ever done this before” and that seems to be picked up in the media and by others here but, by any stretch of what “large numbers” mean, Black voters did not vote for him “in large numbers” as we think of what “large numbers” mean (20.. 25.. 30%?) .... or in “large numbers” which were unlike any of his Republican predecessors. His numbers were historically consistent. The report that Black voters gave Trump large support in 2020 is simply false.

[@maryakimble1]

It will work but what are the consequences???

[@beyondthesunpodcast]

This interview was so well delivered. Each question I posed in my own mind to oppose the idea of moving to the South was addressed and still left me wanting to read this book.

[@kingdavid2083]

Please do so if you have time to waste.

[@The.End.Begins24]

I believe Reparations should be in the form of land and infrastructure in the south.

[@nolanneal]

Reparations will need to be paid by Africans who sold the slaves to the Europeans. Research is neat.

[@CrystalMitchell]

Reparations should be stock from all founding corporations that billion dollars from the backs of the slavery.

[@evano5635]

@@nolanneal Africans are poor. What reparations can they give???

[@44bonkers]

Buy acres of land in Georgia. Hire Black Developers, Contractors, Surveyors, City Planners. Build an infrastructure. Do It Already!..

[@wewillrise8550]

YES! WELL SAID!

[@rv292]

BLACK WALL STREET HAD ALL THAT! Figure a way to stop them from being wiped out again, and his idea might have legs. Otherwise, it's just reckless.

[@vlventureworx1776]

cbx.credit

[@phatmantv]

The celebs would do it, but 90% of them sold out.

[@rahaki9624]

Its amazing how this is tje first time I've heard of this beloved brother, and the sense he makes is if he has been speaking. Migrating back South would give us much more political edge.

[@SacredWomensWisdom]

The North doesn't feel like home, but, neither does the south!

[@smcdade4577]

I agree! We are a nation within a nation. I pray for the day when we can leave & have a land to accommodate us. Sounds far fetched, but it was crazy how we were brought here!

[@Love-dc5tq]

I actually moved from California to Texas and it feels amazing! I’m not used to seeing so many black people

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

👍 Agree

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

@@Love-dc5tq i do not kno where to go. I lived in California since 1975 i moved from Texas to here.

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

@Volf Khat I feel that I need to leave USA

[@victoriaallen3753]

This interview was very interesting. It also seemed like the interviewer enjoyed it as well.

[@Prince_BNice]

Its refreshing to hear a Black man talk about things that make sense. Stop trying to live and get along with people that hate you.

[@imdifferent7294]

Right

[@hellobecky84]

Brilliant interview, and I knew nothing about Vermont's history until now.

[@christinet6336]

One of the best conversations I've heard in a long time. Excellent topic and interesting data.

[@kingdavid2083]

For a cat you must not be around many conversations. LOL!

[@tometriceshepherd6609]

Yes, the blacks in the south have no voice, more Republicans and whites run everything. Too much racism going on. Charles Blow you are very intelligent to figure this out.

[@cynthiaepps842]

Amanpour, I know you give force to many and any voices. But Charle Blow has not been in Georgia long enough to tell anybody to move back South. I moved back 8 years ago to North Carolina and I found that racism implemented and accepted as the air that you will breathe. Another thing about Charles is that he went back south as a rich black man. Of course, he's going to love it. But ask both black and white people that move there without a high paying job or blacks that move back as entrepreneurs. The money is not there. The average salary is 35k and they work the shit out of you. No health insurance, no 401's, long hours, and for the most part the place is an intellectual desert. Nothing but sports for entertainment and make-believe churchgoers. Charles, I'm happy you like it, but live your life and leave everyone else alone. Besides you're back in NY in about 5 years. The ignorance outside of Atlanta will whip ass back.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Lol Interesting

[@Nuani7]

💯The realest comment on here!

[@wandalf]

Whites built this country! Blacks did not. But want the credit for it. Think about it; the cities we built, we wrote the Constitution, and We are the ones who died to free slaves for the first time in human history where the majority population holding the power, has ever done this. The Black population was mainly isolated in the South and played a minor role in this country's greatness. Start taking credit for what you have done and not for what you didn't! Furthermore, Blacks are 13% of the population which breaks down to 6% males add 1% of black females comes to = 7%. This 7% commits 60% of ALL VIOLENT CRIME in our country. Blacks kill whites 66% more than the other way around. Plus, Whites pay the majority, most of all taxes paid, and get the least amount of benefits from the gov't, and blacks and native Americans receive the most. So, who are the victims?

[@xxvolution]

When you let the enemy know your strategy, they can move to block you at every turn.

[@williamfisher4663]

The strategy should be buy black and boycott everybody else.

[@kingdavid2083]

Don't worry, they won't be blocking much with this, I don't it worthy to be called a plan.

[@kingdavid2083]

@@williamfisher4663 That's a very small piece of the strategy.

[@traceylankford8579]

First my sister, niece, and her boyfriend went down, then my mom and dad followed, now me and my husband are headed down next, then his 3 kids are coming with their partners and kids. That's 16 of us. Come on ya'll.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Bring money. Lol

[@barbarablake2357]

Tears in my eyes. I am on my way in 3 years; I will follow my brother and his wife, my 2 sisters and many family member that never left the south. Yes, come on ya'll

[@Cryptofun325]

On it...I retire next year and with be in atlanta suburbs

[@danm.1018]

With AA increasing their majority in Southern states, they are better able to create a society that would improve their socioeconomic status

[@nuview1]

Whats interesting. Black ppl are migrating back to the South. This America political and financial structure is descending. Ppl cant afford to live in these overly priced cities. Cost of living is ridiculous. There needs to be a revamp of this entire debacle of a system.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

When people migrate, property owners make more money based on supply and demand.

[@rayboat374]

Agreed. New York and California have held black people hostage from truly protesting in modern times

[@bkbornshahid774]

The solution is we need a home of our own. It will NEVER be in our benefit to have another people govern us - sovereignty requests a piece of the planet to call our own and it was intended to be. Integration was/is death for the Black Man. The fact that this is NOT the #1 thing as men we don't press for is sad. I don't want to be governed by an alien and hostile population. Our Self rule muscles has atrophied. We will never get justice and restoration to health and happiness until we get our Moses moment.

[@lzrd8460]

Sadly, I think you're right. When I read about a group of Black people who collectively bought land in a southern state to build their own town. And they did that to live in a safe space, That makes me cry to think that their own country isn't safe for them & we know they aren't.

[@tomsawyer9403]

Sixty year old white NYC guy here, and I don't envy your minority status in the North. There is LOTS of racism up here - really disgusts me when I hear it. Overall, I think integration is a great thing, on the other, it does diffuse the minority group's political power.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@lzrd8460 Buy land anywhere and stand your ground.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@tomsawyer9403 So don't integrate is what I read. If a group doesn't want to integrate with me, it's no skin off my teeth and vice versa. Live and LET LIVE.

[@EstherLamisha]

When a head bop goes into effect when a man is talking, u know he is passionate!

[@LJRoss-zv8hw]

Doesn't matter where you live if all the politicians are owned by corporations.

[@carlo6912]

Great point. Follow the money.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Right and Blow knows it.

[@malaikasmith3949]

The perfect argument against capitalism - which is the main purveyor of racism.

[@lydiadoumon6781]

I had his sentiment for a very longtime Great title "The Devil you Know"

[@joedellaselva1251]

What does he mean?

[@kaliha55]

100%.. Jim crow still exist..its just not coined jim crow. Its systemic racism

[@joedellaselva1251]

Who's 'The Devil' Mr. Blow is referring to in the title?

[@joedellaselva1251]

@@kaliha55 It did to the shame of this country but you're talking 50+ years ago. Generations are born who knew nothing about it (me) and at age 10 - 11 years you read about it. There comes a time where it stays in the history books for there to be progress.

[@Cryptofun325]

@@joedellaselva1251 talking about the overt racist versus the closet racist. Most white southerners don't fake it but many northern whites put a phony face on in your face and then talk racist stuff later. Thus the title of his book.......Its best to identify the devil you do know versus the devil you don't or who is a chameleon. That help??

[@ferguson-factor7107]

I completely and totally agree with Charles Blow and will be purchasing his book "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto." I'll also will be moving to the State of Georgia as well.

[@Deerych]

I totally agree with this brother. This is our home! I'm a son of the Black south and moved to Boston and it was such an awful living experience. Being Black there...was WACK. I realized that the North was a mirage hiding trash, racism, and disappointment, so I've come back to the south, Charlotte, NC...and I love it! Come to Charlotte...we will welcome you. lol.

[@lamartruth6601]

NYC has 2 million black people. Probably now mostly from the Caribbean and Africa. They have different views and agendas than Black Americans.

[@leob.venzen1153]

Not really! Their sons have been murdered by yurugu police and, they are racially profiled too! Besides, All are captured Afrikans brought to the americas the same way by europeans...That is another unbreakable bond they have!!

[@BlackShogun]

As an Atlanta native, It seems like every black American is here already judging by the traffic.

[@emperessdivine2201]

ha ha, I'm just waiting for my professional license and I'm headed right back to Atlanta, NY has become way too difficult to live in. No place to park, parking tickets on a regular, dog crap in every neighborhood no matter how expensive the real estate, Racism where immigrants are the new white supremacists, plus Northern men don't marry and nurture "family" to the same degree that Southerners do.....My opinion 🤗

[@kimc5390]

@@emperessdivine2201 I agree 100%

[@kirstenolsen8807]

I live in Richmond Va, in the east end, which is a majority black. We elected a black mayor several years ago and whites that I’ve spoken with have said that Richmond should always have a black mayor. I agree. Richmond is listed in Blow’s book about one of the cities that black peoples should return to. I agree. There are currently 2 black women running for governor in VA. Consolidated black power is a great idea. It can work.

[@YauriSKellyDalencour]

This is such a great talk. Wow. I would agree, he may be onto something for sure... Born in Chicago, Grew up in the NC, SC, Texas and finally the DMV (dad was in the service) before going to NYC for college/grad school. Stayed 14 years including PhD work in Philly, abroad a few times in that time then 3 years in Cali... got back to the DMV with hubby and kids and HAPPY TO BE HOME. While I am highly educated, hubby worked in biggest tech company in the world (you can guess which one) and has had many other cool tech jobs... we are thriving as a unit/family here more than any place we have lived... and we are NOT "the only" where we are. I think that has a lot to do with it. Living in Silicon Valley when we did and being the ONLY is not opportunity and success... it can be isolating and there are many closed minded and discriminating folks places where they have "never seen families 'like ours' ". We decided we would not be that fam anymore. We can still thrive and build and do great and preserve self instead of fighting all the battles and trailblazing (which we will do already)... we can do it with other fams that look like us in places where they also exist ...I love what he is talking about... Classism is a huge issue in northern places and while there are some other issues in the south, when you have #s... you have community, a villiage.

[@ausardivineamir]

NYC is the most racist city in the most racist country....from a native New Yorker. There no escaping racism in their racist house, our consolidation of power will be a temporary fix, not a permanent solution. Black unity, ownership, and accountability are the solutions

[@naev.3344]

Man, I didn't know it was racist like that! I am in Chicago and imo it is very racist. I'm sick of it (happening to me or seeing it happen to other black people I know) and was considering moving to NY because I saw the houses in Rochester were cheap (compared to where I live anyway).

[@davidmuhammad8960]

Charles Blow is on fire with this one. Very well done sir!

[@anidadron]

I live in Georgia and would NEVER recommend my northern friends of color move to where I live in the rural part of the state. There are KKK here! There are "Militia" here who walk around armed and parade their confederate flags. There is incredible prejudice here. WHY would I recommend to anyone of color I care about to move here? I want my friends safe!

[@sknkwrksowner]

kinda why our parent's parents (depending on your age) left in the first place!

[@danacooper1827]

I would never want my black friends or POC to move there. It’s dangerous for POC. KKK everywhere, white supremacy and historical to current day racism that is disgustingly robust and brazen. Law needs to crack down on them (possible pipe dream) voter suppression needs to be seriously worked on first. We need the black vote to be supported . I appreciate this guy and his addressing this issue - the more people’s voices - advocacy, writers, law makers, white people begin to be a part of the solution by understanding their own white priv.

[@carolnarcisse2179]

The KKK is nation wide

[@christinet6336]

White supremacy started its overt rise again when Barack Obama was elected (remember the Tea Party). The election of DJTrump saw White Supremecy become even more emboldened. I don't think we can put that Genie back in the bottle. What we can do, as African Americans, is be strategic about how we use our vote which we have an impressive history of doing. Being a northerner from Massachusetts and having lived in Virginia (yuck), Florida, and Texas, I can see what Charles Blow is talking about here, and it's a brilliant strategy. It can work.

[@ayoungethan]

de facto power dynamics all shift when white racists become a minority fringe group in a state. plenty of white supremacists and racial terrorists out here in Oregon. Oregon was founded to be a white utopia.

[@lascellesferguson2167]

The difference in jobs is the south is a "right to work" region meaning you can be fired for really no reason, and there is no Union protection, Unions are frowned on here.

[@350BMW09]

Most states are "at-will" employment.

[@SalimSivaad]

When you flip legislatures and governorships, you get to re-write laws. A progressive mass-migration equals a progressive agenda.

[@audreymuzingo933]

Okay I'll have to read this book, this dude is awesome.

[@rv292]

And read/watch Black Wall Street. It was even better. But they were wiped out. Does he have a plan to prevent that from happening (again)?

[@haroldplante8287]

Awesome theory, it would be an historical correction of centuries of exile in a country they built! I concur, I'll be vocal in my support.

[@LULOHANFYAH]

Exactly! The biggest myth (and historical inaccuracy) is that Black folks just left the South for better opportunities. No! They left to “live.” They were FORCED out. It was their home. Their families , their traditions and not to mention some of the best weather in the country exists there. Why would they just leave voluntarily? They didn’t! They had majorities in many southern States. As Mr. Blow says they were “ran out by White terror.” And if we learned anything from the last election is that the south is no “more racist” than any other part of the country. It’s in abundance throughout the country. It’s time to return to the scene of the crime and start righting some of these wrongs!

[@kingdavid2083]

A better correction would be, GO BACK to your own land.

[@LULOHANFYAH]

@@kingdavid2083 What land would that be Mississippi? Alabama? Georgia? Louisiana? Florida? Arkansas? We’re already there! We need to increase our numbers in those States though to increase Black voting power!

[@kingdavid2083]

@@LULOHANFYAH North East Africa Bro, if I say the name the FB police will delete my response. It's between, Lebanon and Syria, the Euphrates River, the Great River Nile and Saudi Arabia.

[@LULOHANFYAH]

@@kingdavid2083 “Bro” I’m American! This is MY own land!

[@nomadictravelerfromTx]

I was raised in the south and became financially independent.I'm going to the motherland,it's nothing here but foolishness.YOU GET ME?

[@RobertDGordon]

Born and Raised in Baltimore. Lived there until I was 33. Relocated to Georgia in 2004, wish I would have done it sooner. But... we’re full now. Go to Alabama 😂🤣😂

[@draftercaddvvv9560]

Welcome to Alabama, Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile the cities awaits.

[@earl581]

Maryland has one of the highest black population I believe white will be minority soon? Well majority of minority population

[@RobertDGordon]

@@earl581 that’s true, but that numerical advantage has never been leveraged into political or economic power. It’s really sad to have lived in a majority Black city for so long and watch it constantly deteriorate.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Interesting. Migration triggers various controls and conditions.

[@al5603]

@@RobertDGordon ''Has never been leveraged into political or economic power?'' The cities in Maryland that border D.C. have the highest median income for Black people in the whole country. Although because of gentrification D.C. isn't ''Chocolate City'' anymore, you still have many of the same opportunities as in the south. Obviously you're going to pay more in the DMV area, however you'll probably make a whole lot more too.

[@tm13tube]

Virginia had Wilder as governor long ago. My dad asked me who did I think voted for Wilder. I said I did for one. He said “So did I but don’t tell your mom.” It was a puzzling choice. Her parents took in two black children who came to the back door for food. Both parents died in a barn fire while saving livestock and the roof fell. My grandma took them in saying they will find their Chicago relatives. Eventually the relatives came and the girl left but the boy opted to stay. He grew up with my 6 uncles doing the same work they did and sleeping in the house and when he was of age he was given the same amount of acreage as my uncles. It was a working tobacco farm. Women were responsible for the vegetable farm. He learned everything he needed about building and tobacco farming through curing and selling.

[@gordongekko2781]

I'm a white southerner, and I love this idea! If the truth were known, different races probably get along better in many parts of the South than in other regions of the country because we worked out most of our differences decades ago. I'm not saying it's perfect down here, but I think we are generally much more polite and respectful of others in the South regardless of race. If African Americans decide to migrate south, then I say "Welcome back!"

[@LauraLancealot]

If that happened really weird weather patterns would start happing, "accidental bombs dropped"

[@jamesleon2990]

@esaesa07 MANNN hellz yeah i hate that shit they creep up like devils. It's like a GOTDAMN horror movie

[@williamfisher4663]

Lol you trippin

[@Senseiballenger]

Grateful for Charles Blow. We as a people are going to get to the mountain top.

[@kingb2339]

I would love to talk to this guy, I have lived in the south for 20 years, and I grew up in New York and the issues amongst black people as far as working, other black people showing hate to other blacks is far worst especially in the corporate world then I have ever experienced in the north. I would love to have a conversation with this man

[@kingb2339]

@Umbuko DaJuko I do believe what you are saying individually , but in a corporate environment depending on what they feel they can gain from you people will try to befriend you until you don’t have anything to offer them and that’s when the manipulation and bullying tactics will start.

[@abrahamabraham1019]

Lol. This is what Booker T was talking about and was vilified for. I guess more than 100 years later black folks are realizing he was right

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

SOME "Black folk".

[@oakstgorillas]

blacks should accept second class citizenship and strive to be a carpenter?

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@oakstgorillas Or, becone a talented tenth and remain a second-class citizen?

[@simonfarre4907]

This is what you get when you teach people about identity and not class

[@bigdaddypapsmear]

Detroit, the blackest City in the Country by far, is also the most powerful City by far in Michigan. Detroit can deliver on our own.

[@kaylanbaby5987]

I live in Oakland County and YES back in the day Detroit was reliable in that way. I don't think it'll be that way in 20 years. So many black people in the D are either moving to the burbs or returning to the south. The D is about to lose a rep right now because of the changing population right now. White people are moving back downtown (at least they were before the pandemic) I've been so worried about that. Clearly Detroit CAN still deliver Michigan right now but will it always be that way? I don't think so.

[@stephj9378]

its a mess.

[@AldermanFredCDavis]

25 years ago I was recruited for a sales job, and Vermont was a major part of the territory. As a young, Black male I was nervous about it. I never lived there (lived up near Saratoga), however spent a lot of time in Vermont. Taking that job was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was treated extremely well in Vermont. It was a little to 'boring' for 26 year old me, however, I could easily see retiring in Vermont or New Hampshire.

[@joedellaselva1251]

The Granite State! New Hampshire. 'Live Free or Die'

[@always_talkback2038]

Wow, gives me the chills. What a GREAT idea. More power to you. ♥️

[@ktsleeve]

Charles Blow is a visionary. This is a path forward! I’ve lived in North Florida - which is Deep South - for decades. My city is 31% black and we were one of the few Florida cities to vote Blue. I will not sugarcoat the racism that exists in my area. However, I have family all over the country and their smugness and blindness on white supremacy along with their racist attitude is just appalling to me. They go on and on about how racist the South is, while saying racist things which THEY CAN’T HEAR but are evident to me because of my years living and working in majority black neighborhoods. The thing that creeps me out when I go to California is that I feel uncomfortable because there are no Black people around. I don’t know how to explain it but I look around and it just feels very Wonder Bread-like. My family there is oblivious. Look, the truth is - after working and living in majority black neighborhoods - black culture is the superior American culture and black families are the strongest American families. Our language renews itself based on black American slang. Our literature has many unsung heroes who would have won the Pulitzers and so forth if they had been white. The black families are the strongest and most resilient and loving. Black churches are the place you want to go for spiritual renewal. Our black citizens know that their ancestors largely built this country. When white people yell go back to where you came from, usually their answers arrived in 1890 while black Americans’ ancestors were here for 300 or 400 years. Look if we can get to a point where we have black majorities or near Black majorities in a number of states America would be a much better country.

[@nuwberian732]

You live in Jacksonville Fla.

[@wandalf]

You're badly misinformed and speaking for yourself and nobody I know. White Supremacy is not a major problem except by people like you. Whites built this country! Blacks did not. But want the credit for it. Think about it; the cities we built, we wrote the Constitution, and We are the ones who died to free slaves for the first time in human history where the majority population holding the power, has ever done this. The Black population was mainly isolated in the South and played a minor role in this country's greatness. Start taking credit for what you have done and not for what you didn't! Furthermore, Blacks are 13% of the population which breaks down to 6% males add 1% of black females comes to = 7%. This 7% commits 60% of ALL VIOLENT CRIME in our country. Blacks kill whites 66% more than the other way around. Plus, Whites pay the majority, most of all taxes paid, and get the least amount of benefits from the gov't, and blacks and native Americans receive the most. So, who are the victims?

[@edmcgeman5084]

Mr Blow is very smart and he makes his case using incontrovertible substantial body of evidence. An open minded person can listen to him all day for very insightful positions

[@Cacofonixravi]

People will migrate to places where opportunities are present.

[@sknkwrksowner]

100%. I will give him credit that he did say "...a big IF....". It's more theory and premise than anything. I'm from the south and still live in the south, but only because of the weather. I work remotely for a tech company in California at that state's salary level. So yeah, the opportunity for me is weather and financial buying power. If I was getting this state's average salary for my job, I'd move somewhere else.

[@1MarkKeller]

The Vermont migration was about a political opportunity.

[@battlescorn]

That's because of scarcity mindset

[@CarlaD.-rl5ry]

The opportunity for a CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED quality of life on par with white Americans receive is good enough. That should be a given anyway for what we pay as citizens.

[@kathymarcove]

I think you miss the point, he is suggesting a different reason to immigrate... To gain power. Only those high on Maslow's hierarchy can do it, but it is a reason to move if you can... He make an excellent case!

[@thinktank8813]

I heard Blow on NPR yesterday while driving and writing notes when stopping at red lights. I was determined to learn about him and looked to my right on KZbin, and there he is! He's a THINKER!

[@dolphus32]

Great interview! Nations must pursue, secure and maintain what’s in their best interests. So must it be for a nation of Black Americans within a nation, that was built and maintained by by oppressing the very group of people who built her-Native Black Americans.

[@watermelonlalala]

LOL. They would never let a white person on this show to tell whites how they can get more whites in power. Whites are the ones oppressed in the country they built.

[@dolphus32]

@@watermelonlalala 😂😂

[@idontknowaboutthat1904]

@@watermelonlalala 🤣🤣🤣😜🤡🤡🤡 Poor crybaby white conservatives..

[@michelleautore2945]

When people questioned the great Maya Angelou why she returned to the South, she moved to Winston-Salem NC. she answered, "the South is everywhere".

[@rmpriester]

Never heard that quote before, but it is the absolute truth. Succinct, to the point with very little room for debate. Gotta love Maya.

[@angellover02171]

Yes. I guess part of the reason why Georgia went blue was so many Black people moving to the state. If more states could be flipped solidly blue then that would be great.

[@nkjassal]

And, that POCs actually registered to vote and VOTED. All of that.

[@buzoff4642]

Lots of blue states, and he points out life for black in blue states is no better. What he doesn't take into account, blue states have invited in a whole lot of poor black migrant, and the impact from that.

[@lzrd8460]

True, but the point is that the white Republicans with their incessant laws to keep black voters down is what needs to change and fast. Regardless of the number of black people in any one state.

[@angellover02171]

@@lzrd8460 yes but if a new fast influx of Black people move to one state those they won't be able to disenfranchised fast enough. Perhaps they could be voted out of office and new law makers could take some of these old laws off the books.

[@buzoff4642]

@@lzrd8460 First, how many black and democrat bit on "super predators" in the '90s? It's not all/only white nor all/only republicans. Second, a list build-out of systemic racism should be made, for purpose of educating all of us. Fines: Examples, such as Florida, Ferguson, etc. We, around the country, need a (hopefully online) map of systemic racism, not geographic, but map of the systemic aspect of racism. Another category, DA Upcharging, to force plea bargain guilty pleas. Another category, Disenfranchise tactics, such as under equiping polling locations, etc.

[@j.baldwinwasagenius...7575]

I love this concept. I'm a Black American and part of my family fled the South in the 1930s and 1940s during the Great Migration. Moved to New York and New Jersey. My family (grandmother amd her children) stayed in the South as did my immediate family. All of our Northern family has come back South (NC, FL, GA) and my grandmother still lives on plantation land/heirs property in SC where our ancestors were owned. Come back home, folks. Let's organize.

[@lagaman11]

So very true. I am a white person, living in the reddest of red states, and the vast majority of my friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors live week to week and struggle. There is no utopia in this world. We simply do the best we can.

[@lawabidingcitizen73]

Not saying you have it easy. Just saying that you don't have a systemic current pushing and acting against you and your interests. We are not on the same level with this. There is a lot of education that it sounds like you need before we can have dialogue.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

I agree.

[@lagaman11]

@@lawabidingcitizen73 I did not mean to imply that My struggles are the same as my fellow black Americans. My apologies if you took it that way. I was merely reiterating something that he spoke in the video that struck a cord with me. You are correct, of course. There is no way I can compare my struggles equally to that of black people. I just believe that white people (all people) need to get this idea of a "Utopian America" out of their minds. If a person believes that their is such a thing, yet they are not experiencing it, then it is very easy for a manipulative person in power to convince them that the only reason they're not living in this "Imaginary Utopian Society" is the fault of the "Black American", or the "Hispanic American", or the "Muslim American", etc. etc.. It's a poisonous pill, this idea of "Utopia". I wish you well in this life Sir.

[@lawabidingcitizen73]

@@lagaman11 utopian. I can agree to that sentiment to a point. That has never really been my peoples issue. My peoples issue is getting the boot off of our necks so that we could self actualize. Every system seems to be purposed to prevent that scenario from coming to fruition. Until you can honestly see that then you remain part of our problem inspite of how you feel about us. Racism is NOT a feeling. It is quantifiable and qualitative outcomes. We all engage or are engaged by the same systems that is America. However the outcomes from these systems are different. This is how our American experience is different.

[@lagaman11]

@@lawabidingcitizen73 I am still learning, and I have to say your are absolutely correct.

[@trentladson5668]

MR BLOOD IS RIGHT, I MOVED 30 YEARS AGO FROM NEW YORK TO GEORGIA, WE SURELY VOTED LIKE LIGHTING,...................................................................AMEN

[@reneemixon3994]

Purchasing this book right now, have lived in California my entire life and I've never contemplated ever moving, but this is very much speaking to my spirit. Would love to leave this country, but too scared, but I would definitely consider moving too or at least purchasing another home in another state.

[@friendsIVlife]

this is a great strategy.....would love to see this......blacks need to consolidate money and power.....

[@debhil226]

It's not just black people who should move. Every SENSIBLE person should consider moving to red states. We need to change this minority rule!

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

It is indeed a minority rule!

[@GrantSR]

My only question is: Why isn't he simply calling for liberals from very liberal states to move to the south? If I saw that there WAS a mass migration of black people to the South, then I would consider joining them, merely to help their cause.

[@sknkwrksowner]

IMO, he isn't suggesting liberals as that's a movement. He's seemingly focused on establishing a balance that would influence a balance in other things. Mentally suspend the right to live where ever you want for a second and say all states have quotas. You must have a minimum of 33% but no more than 66% of white, black, latino in each state. Within that you'll have a range of both conservative and liberal in each racial group. THAT would be a viable replacement for the electoral college. Instead of a state having 6 college votes, being 90% white population, and 80% of them are conservative, the way I explained it minus the college would be a truer vote amongst the people, no matter the political belief.

[@ajgrand]

He clearly didn’t say that. And that question was addressed

[@nkjassal]

I'm not black, but a POC. I'm seriously considering moving to ATL from California.

[@rebeccacrumpler2421]

@@nkjassal he said Black people, not POC. I don't want to see Atlanta become California.

[@crc5795]

“White Jesus please keep the liberals out of the South...” Amen 🙏🏾

[@dollymadison2397]

Just looked up the percentage of black ppl in my state of Washington. 3.7%. oh my word! I didn't realize it was so low. This is SO informative.

[@JML1974]

He’s absolutely correct. I have lived in Metro Atlanta for 28 years, but originally from the South Carolina. With the migration Mr. Blow speaks about, the real estate market has boomed in the south, in such cities as Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, & Columbia. These cities each have black mayors and large black constituents. In my own family, I’ve seen my cousins who grew up in New Jersey & New York relocate to southern cities, for homeownership opportunities & better quality of life. There is power in numbers in the southern political structure.

[@einsteindarwin8756]

This is so ironic. I have seriously been Considering moving to Atlanta.

[@VirgoCatleesi]

Atlanta is being gentrified.

[@djbhe]

The most crowded city in the US and no jobs before the Pandemic.

[@einsteindarwin8756]

@@djbhe even with Tyler Perry. I work in tv production?

[@djbhe]

@@einsteindarwin8756 I don't know about Tyler Perry but regular jobs was a big problem there before the Pandemic. Just do your homework before moving.

[@ianditwin7443]

That's the problem. He said South. Not just move to Atlanta. Why do you have to go to an already crowded city that most black people migrate to. Why not Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, etc. That's why this idea can never work.

[@waynefranklin9849]

A lot of people who retired from the northern area have moved South. Things are beginning to change. We have our own money and we vote. I don't have to worry about being (blacklist)to get a job. We have good pension and medical. We are also buying land and or property. We as a people must create our own income.

[@msdecemberloveangel8236]

Absolutely agree. I really would love to live in rural side country. Away from the city. I live in Los Angeles and im feeling caged in. I would love a country mile walk, 😆

[@kasnarfburns210]

This sounds like one of the most progressive strategies I've heard in a long time!!!

[@vintagechild4418]

Block voting, Claude Anderson proposed this some time ago. I agree. Must get book! Other groups do this, what is the problem, Asians, East Indians , Arabs all band together, why can’t we?

[@marquita3058]

Unhun and it’s never a “race” issue... only when the native black American starts talking about a collab and community it referred to as being radical. Think Ima make a move too

[@350BMW09]

Exactly! And when Foundational Black Americans merely mention the prospect of looking out for us and only us, we're labeled as racist. SMH!

[@dennistaylor9795]

I say migrate to the motherland africa.50 years from now black people will still be fighting the same old racism b.s.after 400 years this racist crap still going on

[@jerrywilliams5407]

Charles Blow I respect your insight and vision. Very interesting. I also contend that ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) improve our political power by becoming the majority of the leadership in the Democratic Party and do what is right when it comes to our people. I'm not talking about hurting others but for once make us a priority starting with Reparations for ADOS.

[@blackqueengenius7341]

I made the most money, and was set financially, once I LEFT the south. I never advise anyone the remain in the south. Atlanta is not a good place for BW. There are too few marriage prospects.

[@sammynoyb4550]

Well, he's talking about what can benefit us collectively as a race but it's nice to know that YOU made more financially when you left the south.

[@blackqueengenius7341]

@@sammynoyb4550 honey....my husband did too, as well as ALL of the southerners who moved as well. Lastly, Atlanta is somewhat of a prison, because once you leave Fulton and possibly Dekalb Counties, the kk*/police definitely let you know what state that you are traveling in. There is also less opposition when starting a business outside of the South, and when it comes to business deals, people make decisions faster, and the money moves a lot quicker than in the South. However, I will say that the South is much more hospitable, there is more unity amongst the blk people, and you can easily make friends, and find a spouse in the south.

[@traceylankford8579]

You make more money in the north, but you SPEND more money in the north too! A house in the DMV with no back yard, mashed in between another (townhome) will run you $800K on a $250K comb. salary. A detached brick house w/2 car garage, huge yard, on 1/8th of an acre (no th), 4 BRs in the south will run you $300K on a $100K comb. salary.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@traceylankford8579 Yes, but you're paying way too much, unless you want to.

[@sparklesp9304]

That was my thought too. If you're heterosexual and female, ATL is a no-no.

[@eglass6468]

Charles blow is educating American how power works! People are pushing back against his theory because he is talking to black folks. That black skin is sooo powerful and threatening that most will never understand! Keep talking Mr. Blow!

[@stuartperry8141]

I was born In North Carolina moved to NYC as a child in the late 60s and relocated to Atlanta in the early nineties. I had no roots in Georgia so I could have moved to anywhere. I moved to Florida where I currently live in 2000. I have been to North Carolina many times since I moved as a child to visit relatives. Trust me North Carolina, Georgia, Florida are not the same place.

[@schoolcoach1]

Stuart Perry: Kudos for that critical nuance. Not all Southern states are created equal. Georgia, the original penal colony of the original 13 colonies has become legendary since I was there ( 1992 - 2005) for voter suppression. Housing prices are ( in part) more affordable because there is far less regulation of the housing construction industry. I would rely on first person reviews about any place before I would return to the south. That , as I like to say, is common sense.

[@joedellaselva1251]

Mr. Perry!! Thank you!! Everyone under the age of 35 y/o (White/Black,/Green,/Polka-Dot)see old news footage and thinks it is today. I'm stunned at the lack of awareness of how good people get along since the 70's.

[@1MarkKeller]

I have had a similar thought for years, but for White racist. One would think that they would use the census and political polling data to find the states where the most religiously Conservative live, who consistantly vote Republican, and where White people are the majority group. Find those states in the country and migrate there. Wyoming is always first to come to mind.

[@endigosun]

I agree... and I think they are. Especially after the embarrassment at the capitol. I feel as though we’re about to enter into a temporary-transitional era of hyper tribalism.

[@1MarkKeller]

@@endigosun If their renewed efforts in the states to make voting harder doesn't work, then yeah, they will only have one last resort that isn't illegal and/or violent and that will be to migrate/retreat to Republican strongholds in order to stay in power there while the rest of the country evolves without them.

[@okaygee4132]

The Dakotas

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

@@endigosun Hyper. Interesting

[@bl1429]

When blacks get together, jealousy plays a big part as to why they won't band together.

[@idontknowmuch3441]

Racist

[@kwameasante5888]

......jealousy from outside groups

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

I wonder why and how that became a character trait in sone DOS?

[@mljones655]

I worked at a Job Corps in the early 90s. Many of my students were black and from NYC. The Job Corps was upstate in a 2 college town in the foothills of the Catskills. I told those kids don't go back to NYC. Get your relatives to move here and escape poverty & crime. I think plenty took my advice. Our colleges also brought diversity to a white populated area. The area changed. It's good to migrate with purpose. Thanks for this interview.

[@chriswhite3198]

ladies and gentlemen, the brilliant Charles Blow!

[@bmorgan4394]

Mr Blow you just make so much sense. I love you because you keep it so real No nonsense from you . I lived in Atlanta all my life 60 + yrs and people moving here I love it