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“Now, this is the evidence. You want me to make an act of faith — risking myself, my wife, my woman, my sister, my children — on some idealization which you assure me exists in America, which I have never seen.”
— James Baldwin
White friends and associates have asked repeatedly over the past few weeks, as earnestly as they can, how they can support Black people. And while yes, challenging racists in your family and actually reading (not just making lists) on injustice is important, there is another, simple, effective way to show support: spend your privilege capital, monetary and relational, wisely.
It’s been said, cynically yet honestly, that one should never let a good tragedy go to waste. So many non-profits will ask for your dollars, using the backdrop of the constant and consistent spate of state-sponsored murders and uprisings as an impetus to get you to give. And to be fair, many of these organizations are fighting the good fight and deserve your money.
And many don’t deserve a f**king dime. You cannot just give with good intentions: you must give intentionally for good.
Avoid any institution that claims to serve Black people, yet does not have any Black people in leadership or decision making positions; avoid giving to those who can’t tell you how much money they spend with Black and brown-owned businesses. (Run away faster if they can’t tell you if they spend money with Black-owned businesses.) Dodge “charities” whose impact and goals are non-quantifiable and ego-serving, with leaders married, figuratively and literally, to those who advance politics and policies antithetical to the advancement of Black people.
You must do the gritty work of vetting if the work is to be done well.
If you find yourself on the board of one of these institutions, then you must, unequivocally, answer for these questions with your fellow board members, leadership and, critically, yourself. If the people you sit in power with are unwilling or unable to extend power to the marginalized communities they “serve,” then it is your duty to loudly separate yourself from these institutions, stating racist intent and actions as the reason for your departure.
If you choose to sit there still, if you choose to be quiet in the face of discrimination, if you choose to not “rock the boat” for appearances and relationships sake — then your offers for support will fall on my deafened ears.
After all, this is simply the evidence.
You must do it right by giving to those who do it right. There are too many worthy (Black led) causes and institutions underfunded in favor of those who actively do damage to the community in the name of justice. You have the power and privilege to change this paradigm. I look forward to seeing you wield it well.
