Foundations and "Giving back"

"Then there are the Bill Gates types. He has a multi-billion dollars AIDS Foundation that, from what I've heard, perhaps, NEVER gives money to scientists who submit research grants...."

Dear friends,

Many of these foundations are just tax tricks. When the athlete or movie star stops making money, the "foundations" fold.

Then there are the Bill Gates types. He has a multi-billion dollars AIDS Foundation that, from what I've heard, perhaps, NEVER gives money to scientists who submit research grants, but does that foundation, meanwhile, collect millions in tax-free interest, by keeping the money in a trust account?

Moreover, I find the whole idea of "giving back", as it were, a bunch of bourgeois nonsense. What would they have given, if they didn't have a lot of money? For example, high school basketball players can start youth leagues for younger kids. I mean, as a dear friend of mine pointed out recently: Are those who volunteer their any less generous than wealthy donors? Besides, why do the aforementioned donors have to wait until they get NBA contracts and such to contribute to the commonweal? Ya dig? After all, many of the neighborhood youth would benefit by learning to work cooperatively with others, while experiencing success, and accomplishing gols. That's great for the community. The same thing could be said for dancers and actors.  They can start community theatres for young people..  Churches and neighborhood schools can lend their facilities, for such activities.

Why do people have to wait for a Grammy or an Oscar to do for their communities? .It's about sharing NOT "giving back"! We need to build genuine communities! That more than anything, will stop all of the murders, rapes, other assaults, and robberies.  The police, courts, and politicians regulate crime. It wouldn't be in their financial, much less social interests to stop it. 

Finally, there is a mentality in our cities, towns, and in this country that has people making themselves "The bird with the broken wing that needs fixing." That has folks living life with their hands out, expecting others to do for them, as opposed to exercising their inner powers and doing for themselves. So, just as wealth can be a vice, poverty becomes one too. And you hear people yelling out, "Free food!..Free this!...Free that!". Nobody owes you shit! In the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, "Do for self!?"

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.blackgivesback.com/2012/12/6th-annual-top-10-black-celebrity.html?m=1