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did you knowDid You Know topics range from things that could save you money to things that could save your life.  Most of the topics fall somewhere in between and hopefully they are useful.

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The 10 largest banks hold 54 percent of all US financial assets

By Team Afro on Mon, 10/24/2011 - 17:16

The 10 largest banks hold 54 percent of US financial assets, up from 20 percent in 1990.

Click this link to a chart from Mother Jones to see how the biggest ones got there

source: 
Federal Reserve, GAO via Mother Jones

Only 3 companies control 75% of the world’s beef supply

By Team Afro on Sat, 10/22/2011 - 16:12

Tyson, Cargill and JBS control over 75% of the world’s beef supply.  This monopoly is the breeding ground for potential price fixing and government bribery to reduce food safety standards.  It also puts millions of ranchers out of business because they can’t compete on price.

source: 
Reuters

Walmart controls more than a quarter of the US grocery market

By Team Afro on Sat, 10/22/2011 - 15:57

Walmart opened its first grocery Supercenter in 1988. 20+ years later they have 2,750 superstores, their food and nonfood grocery sales are estimated $103.7 billion, and they control almost 26% of the grocery market (2009 figures).

source: 
USDA Economic Research Service

The average life expectancy of Black Men is 66.1 years compared to the national average of 73.6 for all men

By Team Afro on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 12:55

One more reason why we need a Black Man Survival Guide.

source: 
About.com

Teachers in poor Black and Latino communities make $2,500 LESS than their counterparts

By Team Afro on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 17:20

Using property tax to fund schools is 1 reason for this disparity.  Poor neighborhood, less property tax, less money for teachers and students.

source: 
Department of Education

94% of the time the candidate with the most money wins the election

By Team Afro on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 11:38

Based on analysis done by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics in 2008 93% of House of Representative and 94% of Senate winners were the ones who spent the most money.  Of course in 2008 Obama outpsent McCain 2 to 1 to win the presidency.

source: 
Center for Responsive Politics

More than 5.5 million African Americans don’t have a photo ID.

By Team Afro on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 14:12

Without a photo ID you can’t drive, you can’t open a bank account and most importantly you cannot vote. 

source: 
MSNBC Politic Nation

The little stickers on fruits actually have helpful health information

By Team Afro on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 17:38

The little stickers put on fresh fruits and vegetables actually contain codes about whether fruits are organic, contain pesticides, etc.  To decipher the code, Read this article in Natural News

source: 
NaturalNews.com

Opening a bank account can save you over $800 a year in check cashers fees

By Team Afro on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 17:06

Check cashing places charge you for what you can get for free. For more info see:

How to Open a Bank Account

Avoid Check Cashing Places and Get a Bank Account

source: 
BankOnOakland.ca.gov

24 hours after quitting smoking the oxygen levels in your blood return to normal

By Team Afro on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 16:50

Also after 24 hours your chance of heart attack is also reduced. After 1 to 9 months circulation, smell, and taste improve. You have better lung function, more energy and fewer colds. After 1 year your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.

source: 
Kaiser Permanente