When crabs are in a trap, the animals as a group will pull down any of their kind that start to climb out of the barrel in an attempt to be the first out of the barrel that holds them in.

Often this is applied as a metaphor to people in impoverished communities when one person starts to get ahead. The collective community becomes jealous or filled with a sense of self-loathing, so they find a way to pull that person back to that community’s level.

Over the years I’ve heard this term consistently — “Crab-in-the-barrel.” Also defined as “haters,” the mentality can be present in any community, whether you’re brown, black or white.

What can we do to help one another accomplish goals of success instead? One way is to start helping to promote local businesses. It can go a long way to help build up the community.

If someone posts a business flyer on their social media platforms, go ahead and share that post. It doesn’t matter if you know them or not. Spread the word and help them succeed.

Many people do not support one another in a business sense, but there’s enough money in this world for everyone to be successful.

I’ve seen people spend thousands of dollars on name-brand clothing when their cousins and uncles own clothing stores. I’ve also witnessed businesses fail due to lack of support.

When you start a business, you expect people to support you as well, but if you can’t give support how do you feel like you deserve it? Support is the best form of positivity.

Pulling one another down is not the way out the bucket. We can literally build our way out of the bucket with some support. Think about it: What does anyone gain from tearing another person down? Do you get wealthier? Do you accumulate self-esteem? Are your businesses and goals where they are supposed to be?

The answer is no. Let’s break this crab mentality, and we will all succeed!

Tamia Lane is a column writer for the Laney Tower