If I Were a Rich Man

Have you ever considered the possibility of becoming rich? Of course you have. The problem is that most of us aren't even close to rich and probably are so bad with money it'd be hard to be rich. Ok, maybe I should say, I'm not that great with money.

Who said it, "Messing with my money is like messing with my emotions." Well, it is also true that I spend my money and throw it away like I do with my emotions.

You know that you are broke. I'm broke, too. Don't have enough money to pay all my bills. Trying to borrow from Peter to pay Paul. It is a real pain.

Had an opportunity to deal with a debt collector. We've been there. We get behind, maybe a little irresponsible, but high-minded enough to try to get back on track with all that one owes.

Back to the story - well, I call because I'm behind a little. Black folks always get accused of not paying bills. I grew up in a family of folks always barely getting by. Well, I'm in the same boat. Bills, bills, bills.

Behind on my bills, I attempt to reconcile these issues. After ignoring phone call after phone call, I finally got the courage to call them all. Most were pleasant, understanding, knew what it was like to be in my circumstance with family issues, emergencies, and admittedly, a bit of emotional spending on treats and other delectables that I could have done without but haphazardly pursued.

However, there was this one heifer that I was blown away by. Why do debt collectors act like its their damn money? Yes, it's their job. Yes, their position depends on following up and getting that money, making that paper. The economy sucks and you know, I brought this on myself. I should have been more diligent. Plain and simple, right?

Hell no. Debt collectors don't have to make it personal. Where in the research does it say acting like an asshole will get you what you need and want in America? Firmness, clarity, civility and good ol' fashioned common sense tells you to treat people with respect. But, maybe it is not true. Act like a real ass about almost anything and people seem to respond by giving you whatever to get you out of their face. Tired of you, tired of looking at your face, and tired of having to deal with assholes left and right. So, here. Take it. They'll give five dollars for you to never come back.

Now, there were three brothers in my head that day when dealing with this ignorant ass debt collector. The Three-In-My-Head are there always. First, WEB DuBois said, "You have the God given right to dignity and respect no matter what your circumstance." Brother Booker T. Washington then said, "Well, you did not do your duty. It's time to pay the piper. If you get bruised a little, it's you own fault." Finally, there was my old friend, Jack Johnson, first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Jack said, "Fuck you bitch. Kiss my black ass."

Thankfully, WEB DuBois, the high-minded intellectual and activist of the three-in-my-head and one of the founders of the NAACP, won out in the end.

I could not ignore the others. It was truly emotional for me. I even have residual angst from the conversation I had with that debt collector.

The truth is that the debt collector was negatively impacted as well. I could see it all over her face when I came in to pay the debt in person. I was not friendly but I was cordial and respectful. I made it clear that I would be contacting her supervisor, knowing that it probably would not make much difference.

Debt collecting can't be a happy position in these economic times. However, it does not excuse the non-sense they peddle out to others so they can keep their jobs and make that money. This is of course after collecting late fees, hiking up interest rates, and reducing the credit available to most people.

I do not have much patience for debt collectors and I wish my debt collector showed me the same respect and dignity that I provided her.