"Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Just finished writing an article on black South African women who sell Avon Cosmetics, primarily in townships. Avon calls itself The Company That Empowers Women, encouraging these female "micro-entrepreneurs to "dream big" about their future purchases and identities. These "dream-building" practices inspire many women to work hard selling Avon. But are they likely to become cosmopolitan businesswomen like the Avon ladies in the catalogs? Is this "dream building" or a "dream deferred"?
What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.Or does it explode?(Langston Hughes)
