The 1% has to empower the 99% in capitalism, says Operation Hope's John Hope Bryant

John Hope Bryant, Operation Hope founder, chairman and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss how Gen Z's view capitalism, equality vs. meritocracy, corporate America's DEI push and subsequent backlash, and more.

[@toddtheisen8386]

As a Gen X worker , I fell for the "work ethic" and "meritocracy" BS. Here at the end of my working years my pension is being squeezed, I haven't had a decent pay raise in 15 years and my health insurance is all but useless. Meanwhile the executive class of the company I work for still have their full pensions, get bonuses/raises every year and cry every time production workers do not "step up" to earn even more profits. Younger generations are just smart enough not to fall for the same crony capitalism of today.

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

Start your own company, then you can pay your employees the same as you

[@AmeriGlobal]

@@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993 Most conservatives are pushing American workers towards the start of a new labor movement.

[@BePatient888]

Same here. I'm not as far along as you, but same generation, and I already see the same things. This being the information age, younger people are just becoming more privy to how the fix is in with late stage capitalism.

[@MG2.5.4.]

People that don’t know much about the rest of the world or its history giving lessons. People like to attribute entirely any success to their own merits…while the reality is that luck, corruption, low morals play a bigger role.

[@christom8605]

Lmao you should have worked more hours and bought stocks it's not just about working hard you have to work smart

[@CS-qc7np]

I saw this the morning it aired. It has been cut short. There is about 5 minutes missing. I’m looking for the complete video, CNBC.

[@Orangutanga__]

You know you have nothing to stand on when you won’t allow the other person to speak

[@celestialnubian]

Bless John Hope Bryant for being able to explain basic reality to these devils without cussing them out.

[@hcharton5722]

Great interview. Shame on whoever edited this.

[@amelaine82]

I like this guy’s statement about the open door. What young people are seeing is people standing behind the door holding it closed on people.

[@Tom-PlaylistKing-Smith]

I love John Hope Bryant and I'm buying his book today.

[@thehonesttruth8808]

No you are not…be honest

[@themanysages]

“Open the door and I’ll get it myself” “DEI is like R&D for the future” Perfectly explained

[@PoliticalWeekly]

If DEI were not discriminatory against white people, he'd be right.

[@TWN321]

“Demographics is destiny”-Auguste Comte. JHB also talks about how the most diverse countries, States, Cities are also the most prosperous. How USA is a majority minority country and that trend continuing. Dismantling DEI dismantles a company’s destiny and ability to position itself for future prosperity and growth.

[@chrisconnell8464]

As a 39 year old immigrant to USA, I scratched and clawed for 15 years, then the pandemic hit. I have to admit, the pandemic DID make me less "money hungry" but I had been saving for a long time. However, the last 3 years I've been living a much more fruitful life of travel, relaxation, spending time with family. Inflationary problems really spurred this....I'm happier in addition to having a lot of amazing life moments. Now, I am aware that this can affect my retirement, however, the way the world is going, I can't see things being that great in 10 years, let alone 30. I'm sharing this story because younger people are motivated by different drivers, but they aren't aware that it takes assets to attain them. You're either going to have to work or own a business which means putting some time and effort in no matter what color you are.

[@TheStartupLife]

Loved this interview with John Hope Bryant. There isn’t a person on earth you got “out the mud” without someone there offering a hand up, or opening a door.

[@ShortyToons]

Hope is a brilliant guy

[@buixote]

We don't have capitalism; we have *monopoly* . This is antithetical to the much vaunted competition that is supposed to give us better products for lower prices, but at this point the Federal Trade Commission has been neutered/captured by industry... so we just have an Oligarchy.

[@spacelinx]

We not only have an oligarchy and monopolies, but also vulture capitalism. There are plenty of predatory investment firms whose sole business model is company takeovers. They saddle the old company with the debt they used to acquire it, cut down all expenses to the absolute bare necessities leading to low and stagnant employee wage and benefits, reduced labor population overall to drive up profits and stock prices, while the company suffers its way to insolvency, or gets the more unprofitable sections sold off. It’s quite the Wall Street racket they don’t want us taking about.

[@gen-X-trader]

Guy is brilliant. Certainly can see how he came from nothing and became so successful 🎉

[@TWN321]

“Demographics is destiny”-Auguste Comte. JHB also talks about how the most diverse countries, States, Cities are also the most prosperous. How USA is a majority minority country and that trend continuing. Dismantling DEI dismantles a company’s destiny and ability to position itself for future prosperity and growth.

[@jennifermariko]

John Hope was great here

[@EventHorizon_Alex]

A 19 year old adult can’t be heard until they mention “seizing the means of production” and all of a sudden the ex cuties are in a panic.

[@Yield_Juicer]

The 1% couldn’t care less about the 99% unless “assisting” them involves a greater profit potential vs the current structure.

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

Why should they. Let the 99 go get it the same way instead of feeling entitled to it

[@Yield_Juicer]

@@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993 LOL. The same way you “got it” I’m sure. I am glad you are here to protect them. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AmeriGlobal]

@@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993 Why should they? would you like American labor to be so angry that a new labor movement begins?

[@cheddarboyzz313]

Get em!!! Omg Does my self esteem depends on your acceptance of me!!” 💪🏾✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@c.b.5535]

They don't need to be educated to have resentment. You can look around and experience how hard things are for younger people. Regular people can't get ahead. You can't get a house, college is too expensive, cars are too expensive. Regular people can't make it. People are working full-time jobs and living in cars. The system is not working as it is.

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

Yes it is. Ppl just refuse to delay gratification

[@SEMINOLEsq.]

Society worked better with a gold standard. The fiat monetary system is creating inequality.

[@cryptogoatman]

John is awesome 💪🏼

[@kpatterson369ify]

What's the point in having a guest when all you want to do is argue and be dismissive when you don't even understand the basic information he's giving you?

[@BePatient888]

There is wisdom in the 1% creating more opportunities for others to grow the middle class, and strengthen the middle class of this country. In relation to DEI, I don't see any issues with expanding (not contracting) opportunities for others. The folks railing about DEI need to explain if they're fearful about being left out, or resentful of who is being let in. We can address the former by explaining that they are included in equity. The latter needs to be ignored and left behind, as they are enabling our nation's enemies.

[@indrajeetghosalkar7599]

Meritocracy is important

[@Seanpfree]

This is THE END of first time home ownership and the slow death of the middle class in a generation.

[@alainsoltura]

Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still. America gives you opportunity, not guaranteed results. Bring value to the marketplace and the marketplace will reward you. Quit scrolling to see what other people have. Focus on yourself. Be the next Zuckerberg, Bezos, Cuban. Take risks. Learn. Repeat. Be the man in the arena, not the spectator. It's a victor vs victim mindset first. My 2 cents.

[@hiphop5242]

This sounds great. But it is an idea that never actually existed in reality. America is not the land of opportunity. It is the land of opportunist. The purpose of DEI is to improve equal ACCESS to opportunity. It never claimed to gaurantee equal outcomes. The people who claim it does are being intellectually dishonest.

[@alainsoltura]

@@hiphop5242 DEI never existed in hip hop. How it possible to have a long list of successful minority artists without it? Answer: You make yourself so valuable, they throw money at you. And that my friend is the beauty of capitalism.

[@xXNickPXx]

That's all well and good that "anyone has the opportunity to do it" but not everyone actually can. You have to account for the fact that everyone is born into different advantages and disadvantages - biological, social, economic - and not everyone actually has the capacity to be the next Bezos. The market doesn't even have room for multiple Bezos. And not everyone has the same financial security Bezos had in the beginning to take as many risks as he did (his parents literally gave him something like 300k investment upfront, an amount of money most people will never see, period. Not to mention growing up with more wealth in your family typically means better health and education, and being born into more money is not something that is earned). So we should structure our society to ensure that everyone still has a good standard of life, because we KNOW it is impossible for everyone to reach that level. But this isn't being ensured, and a lot of people are being failed by leadership we know to often be corrupt and captured by corporate interest. I don't see what's controversial about that. You use the hiphop example, but that's huge survivorship bias. So many successful hiphop artists of the past came from poverty and everyone around them was left behind, still in it. It's literally not possible for everyone to be a successful artist. So what next for those people? Just tell them to "work harder"? Doesn't sound like a real-world solution.

[@icecold8974]

With the amount we pay in taxes we should have universal healthcare, UBI and affordable college.

[@e.t.1088]

Shhh dont ask for anything for yourself, how greedy of you. Dont you remember Zelinsky and his croonies are depending on us to fund them for life as well as Ukranians going to clubs on the weekends...we gotta fund all that so get off KZbin and get back to work. Biden is depending on you 😉

[@Jrswazy585]

Great interview ! Everything this guy said is makes sense! It seems like common sense know days is a thing of Ancient

[@Love4Plex]

Unfortunately for most trying to debate John Hope Bryant only working with 5 senses, while John unleashes his 10 senses. As Mr. T would say i pity the fool.❤

[@TABFS-ze3cm]

John is great, but it’s very hard for him to have an opinion or voice in this conversation. His non-profit made him rich off the back of your tax dollars and contributions from wealthy donors. They’ve been fighting to end poverty for years. Hundreds of millions of dollars have gone through his non-profit. Why hasn’t anything changed? Why are we still having this conversation? He opened the door for himself, not the people he’s claiming to defend or help. He’s made roughly 500K-1M a year for the past 20 years and a significant portion of Operation hope’s budget is government grants. Is he the solution? Or the problem?

[@Sclass_Ent]

#TRUTH

[@mikeHamilton-w3x]

Thank God, they had the member of GenZ to explain this to us

[@Rej-gc5zi]

DEI should be focused on color, GREEN. How rich of a family you come from, nothing else

[@myancy23]

Where’s the rest?!

[@Freddo300]

I will make it to one percent.

[@ReyPonce-p6f]

In the grand scheme of worldwide wealth, if you're American, you're likely already pretty close.

[@stealthpotion]

Have no job loyalty except to your union.

[@Taco7870]

Excellent view

[@ronsilva7394]

Wait a minute, he didn’t get the memo ?

[@Seanpfree]

All hope has left the chat

[@JoeHarnden1991]

Damn it’s 2024 people still talking about a level playing field when the internet is out there.

[@seedlessgreen1780]

You have to have free market before you call it that. People acting like the market is fair are delusional

[@delmontegreenbeans]

Why is commonsense illegal now?

[@hansolo8225]

American born Blacks have a huge head start over immigrants.

[@Miliblock]

Clueless, speak on your own

[@giannimilan6916]

African Americans came to this country by FORCE. It was human trafficking. We SHOULD have a head start but we don’t. My ancestors fought, were incarcerated and killed for immigrants to come to this country and have a better life than us. Stfu and do your research.

[@YasukeNakamoto]

I’d argue those coming in with no generational trauma and fresh lines of credit along with government programs giving them loans and money have a better start than people who grew up in the south side of Chicago where Fred Hampton was murdered by the FBI and Chicago PD after trying to unite poor people of all color.

[@matthewjohnson1643]

I don’t care what you look like I care who is the best for the job. That’s it.

[@BrianJohnson-du6pj]

Bruh got a point!

[@dons3073]

No they don’t we ride alone just fine

[@DG-hw8it]

Don't worry, big money is going to stay invested in the western hemisphere! 🍀

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

Don't be so sure.

[@hansolo8225]

Gen Z needs to form their own socialist community and show us how their utopia works out.

[@Geonova74]

California?

[@ReyPonce-p6f]

I think the biggest driver in disagreements in how the economy should be run/structured is that GenZ has mostly seen times of economic stress, bubbles, high inflation and recessions within a short time (

[@Alpharizzchad]

​@@ReyPonce-p6ftroll every Generation went through the same thing in a different way. It's was there choice not to change from a poor me.to Im going to get ahead by being able to due my own on my own. They all want to be able to drive a New car live in a big house and buy crap they don't need.

[@hansolo8225]

@@ReyPonce-p6f Money is a means to exchange labor. You have to create a good or service that someone else wants to purchase.

[@AmeriGlobal]

Gen Z does need to work together to protect their own interests. The small business owner and passive shareholder is certainly not their buddy.

[@MG2.5.4.]

Joe is expired for a long time. He needs to retire.

[@bendaniel6887]

Oof. So much speaking past each other

[@LamarPassmore]

Interest is the problem not capitalism.

[@wendwllhickey6426]

The rich make laws that benefit them and there friends and if the can't have it all the they read the system on purpose screw the 1 present they will never change 😂

[@firesign4297]

🔥🔥🔥💣🎤

[@nowrecorded8111]

I do not agree either home.

[@russianfool1]

yea, there is no american dream. IT's 90% luck 10 % hard work that determines weather you get rich or not. We don't all want to get rich, I just want to be able to aford a friggin house, afford a friggin wife, and have money for an effin kid

[@ron.mexico.]

Unless John and susy are moving to China/iran/russia for a better opportunity….i ain’t worried

[@The_Christ_Angel]

What about diversity equity and inclusion in the world reserve currency?

[@phendel100]

There is no amount of 'doing more' that could make one person worth 200B, and another person worth $10,000. It doesn't exist

[@The_Christ_Angel]

But the Bible says that in the end of days, on Monday 4/22/2024, according to the Mexican Economic indicators, economic activities and growth expanded 4.4%. That means that all the migrating victims of South American countries like Venezuela, found jobs in Mexico and they speak Spanish so their economic integration was a lot easier in Mexico than in America. Mexico absorbed a lot of the migrants in crisis. The border is fixed thanks to The Biden and Harris Administration.

[@celestialnubian]

Religion is stupid.

[@erikdenny3473]

How do you hire someone who can't speak any language and goes from zero to murder in 1.5 seconds over nothing?

[@m3talHalide-rt2fz]

becky enjoyed that too

[@minghengtan]

Because moose Gen Z don’t aspire to build White House interior like Frank 😅

[@WiCapitalco]

Who cares about gen z? Millennials are the deciding generation

[@ronsilva7394]

He was not murdered .

[@ctzoomie]

DEI is rubbish. Try Hard WORK, gaining in demand skills in lieu of aspirations of being a hip hop star or NBA player.

[@AmeriGlobal]

Conservatives always peddling hard work, and if they do pay a good wage then labor will show up for the job.

[@SamuelGriffin]

Dei = didn’t earn it

[@samatabako8787]

Rivers are crying

[@SpliffMeister3000]

Open the door? Doors qre open at target formflash mobs to steal everything....also open or to get a job but yea jobs are lame and imma get that ig clout doh

[@dreadfuldonkey]

When you take no risk you get no reward so what are you complaining about?

[@wendwllhickey6426]

When you try a big company will squeeze you till you give up so they can take everything you own 😂

[@AmeriGlobal]

Conservatives need to do better with rewarding labor in general. Trying to pay cheap wages just creates more free stuff Democrats.

[@无畏无知者-i5o]

This dude’s ego is off the charts. Bye bye 👋

[@Keisha_jones123]

I love John Hope Bryant. These white American didn’t have to work hard to be in their position because it was systemic carved out for them. They NEVER had to work hard.

[@danielcammack6774]

Totally agree with Bryant!

[@roosterr201]

our country is built on do more get more, YES WE AMERICANS ARE WAKING UP TO AMERICAS LIES!!!! LOL

[@Alpharizzchad]

What is didn't get a Trophy 😅

[@crjetpilot]

So how do you explain all the folks who started with zero, no handouts, no special treatment, but managed to make it on their own and get that slice of the American dream? This country is full of them. Then look at immigrants who have come over with nothing but the clothes on their back, who worked hard and made it? If you aren’t willing to put in the work, maybe it’s time to learn to live with less. That’s ok too. You can’t have it all though. It doesn’t work that way anywhere.

[@HoustonKhanyile]

this is a great conversation and I want to hear more it. Both sides of the argument have a point but the current version of DEI is extremely flawed and either needs a makeover or a substitute.

[@MaxisArtes]

I did not hear the other side of the argument but just questioning the concept of DEI. I did not hear what they have to say about it. Did you? But I think he answered the insinuations clearly, “I don’t care who opens the door for me… myself esteem is not dependent on anyone’s acceptance”. I don’t care if I got my chance through DEI, affirmative action. We just have to get in…. Everyone in the position where they are now… someone gave them a chance!

[@HoustonKhanyile]

@@MaxisArtes to play devil's advocate. the interest of the company are at conflict with the interest of the individual. Just like equality and meritocracy are in conflict with one another. DEI does not address this conflict and that is their point. Hence a substitute needs to be created to address both of these concerns. give opportunity to those who deserve it. while preserving the integrity of the recruitment process.

[@MaxisArtes]

@@HoustonKhanyile mmm I don’t understand what you mean by interest of company and individuals are at odds. Companies exist because of Human capital. You need human capital for most companies to be successful. Secondly meritocracy and equality are two concepts that cannot be at odds. I don’t understand what makes them at odds. It’s about equal opportunity to those who can do the job. I don’t understand how they are at odds. Again people with interests makes these concepts sound at odds but they are not. I don’t get it. Maybe you can help me understand.

[@HoustonKhanyile]

@@MaxisArtes Ok, Firstly companies don't exist because of, or to serve human capital. they exist to maximise profits in whichever manner they can. If they can do this by circumventing human capital. They will do it. i.e. AI and robotics. Secondly meritocracy and equality are fundamentally opposite concepts. Meritocracy is essentially discrimination on the basis of competency. whereas equality is equal distribution regardless of contribution or qualification. this right here is the conflict I'm talking about, discrimination and equal distribution of which DEI overlooks. there is better a way to distribute opportunity based on merit. DEI is not it. As to what it is, more conversations like this need to take place.

[@MaxisArtes]

@@HoustonKhanyile This is wrong. I hear what you are saying but your definitions are wrong. I say this with an open mind but when all your definitions are wrong, it is difficult to have a conversation. Your first point makes sense and it’s true but they are not at odds. It’s a continuum. Corporations exist for the sole interest of profits and need human capital to make those profits. They will do anything to stiff the human capital to get maximum effort for little or no money. To the extreme we have slavery. But this has nothing to do with DEI. This is about the green (money). Whoever can make them money is useful. Please don’t confuse that concept with DEI. The second point is where your definition goes out the window. I looked into my dictionary just to be sure and Meritocracy is selection based on ability. Equality is a state of being equal especially in status, rights and opportunities. Those two concepts cannot be fundamentally opposite. You are saying giving equal opportunity means giving opportunities to those who don’t merit it? Is that your argument? If that is the case then it is dumb for a company to employ someone that does not have the ability (merit) to do a job they can’t do. That makes not profit sense. DEI is about equal opportunity to those who have the ability to do the job. In a capitalist society someone opens the door to someone. Please get your definitions right. Oh thanks for having this conversation. But I think we should get our definitions right.

[@kingbooty]

🔥🔥🔥