The Late Dr. Willie Blair, State President and Chair of San Diego Chapter of BAPACSD wrote this piece in 2020 and it remains as relevant as the day written. This is the San Diego Chapter of BAPACSD’s Black Agenda!! The Black American Policy Association of California vision remains, 1) Reclaiming the American Dream for all Americans; 2) Rebuilding the Middle Class for all Residents of San Diego! The Building of the Middle Class in San Diego (and throughout California for that matter) has received a great boost from such forces as the Montgomery G.I. Bill of Rights, awarded to Veterans returning from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam War, recent Middle Eastern conflicts, the Organized Labor Movement, College or Vocational Education and Training, and otherwise movement into good Blue Collar and White Collar paying jobs. How Do You Know That You Are In The Middle Class? Glad You Asked - Here are some pretty good indications:

You are an Owner (or Partner) in a Business where your Gross profits out-weigh your gross expenses - 2 or 3 to 1.
Or you draw a salary or get wages/compensation that allows you to have after household expenses (Food, Transportation, Utilities, etc.) the following amenities:
 

• A good solid healthcare plan for you and your family
   

•  The ability to save (and or invest) a reasonable portion of your otherwise disposable income.
   

• The ability to purchase a home, a car (or 2 ) - nice clothes, take an annual or occasional vacation, college tuition for your children, affordable recreation and entertainment, and the good fortune to secure a sustaining retirement fund long after you have completed a working career.

Now, for millions of Americans, this goal or concept to gain entry into this "Gilded Middle Class" has been unquestionably achieved, but unfortunately for millions of other Americans (especially Black people) this dream or goal of entering the middle class, has remained an ever elusive and frustrating tease! So, this is where such forces as the American Civil rights Movement of the late 1950's, 60's, 70's - and the Black American Policy Association of California (BAPACSD) enter into the fray - center stage!

So the Question (s) BAPACSD continually asks will be and hopefully answered; Is Upward Mobility into the American Middle Class, principally for Black People, and in the main, for all Californians, now underway in California? And if not, why not? And if the latter is true - what are some of the immediate and concrete steps that can be taken to
expeditiously lift Black Americans - and ultimately all races and groups, solidly into the "Middle Class Mainstream of America!"
That my Friends is our "Vision and Focus" for 2020 Economic Justice!! Black Lives Do Matter!! There are organization leaders and sponsors in the San Diego region that have the same vision, the knowledge, the wherewithal and the experience to help us pave BAPAC SD’s way into the future. You are truly our greatest asset today and tomorrow, and we could not accomplish what we do without your support and leadership.