If Martha Stewart Were Black . . .

Have you ever wondered how/if Marthas situation would have been different if she were black? As an entrepreneur producing products in the home décor market, I found myself pretending I was in Marthas shoes.

(PRWEB) April 13, 2004 --I live in New York and happened to be on jury duty at a separate courthouse the last week of Marthas trial. I had to pass 60 Centre Street (where her trial was held) on my way to jury duty each morning. Needless to say, the city block across from the courtroom was packed with media. For a minute, I thought a movie was being made. I guess if you build a billion dollar company, it is news when youre convicted.

BUT, would her company have been worth a billion dollars if she were black? Now, dont go getting your undies in a bunch. Im not saying that African-Americans dont buy napkins and towels, but do we buy a billion dollars worth of them?

For the life of me, I cant figure out why a bed sheet has to be Martha Stewart (or Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger, et al) to make one sleep. I mean, as long as the thread count is above 200, Im basically happy.

But, youre talking to someone who buys Levis from the Salvation Army because shes too cheap to spend $125 on Diesel. At least thats what a friend tells me they run -- I have no idea.

But, I digress. Lets get back to pondering if Martha were black. If Martha were black, would she have resigned from her company board? Eventually, as a publicly traded company, she probably would have been forced to.

But, as an African-American woman who beat all odds to build a billion-dollar empire (love the sound of that!), would she have just stepped aside so soon without a fight? Does anyone know Oprahs phone number? Shes really the only one qualified to answer this question.

My empire," EthnicHomeDecor.com, is not worth a billion dollars . . . but pity the poor soul who tries to push me out -- convicted felon or not!

Ive been wondering about one final thing. That is, where o‚ where will Marthas talents be put to use if she has to -- gasp! - serve time? I mean, she can stir it up in the kitchen, while at the same time make a yard look magazine good. Who will have the daunting task of putting this billion-dollar skill set to use?

However her skills are used, they are certain to be underused -- kinda like bumping up against that invisible glass ceiling if youre a woman/minority in corporate America. A tip to the professional who has to decide what to do with Marthas many areas of expertise: If you apply for any job in the future, be sure to include the line: Judiciously parsed skill set of billion-dollar talent to benefit state-run institution." That should pretty much cinch any job youre after.

One thing we didnt have to wonder about with Martha, black or white -- no tears for this self-made woman. On the day she was convicted, fur wrap draping her neck, she walked out of that courtroom in style with her head held high -- and that we can be sure a sista would have done.