S/o - what should caring white people do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I used to give to the Southern Poverty law center until they were revealed to be a scan. Would the AME church maybe be a good alternative?

DP here. I'm going to leave aside the comment about SPLC and assume you have the best intentions.

I would actually recommend looking into the small non-profits that serve your community. After school programs, computers for low income families, shelters, meals, food banks...these organizations are mostly supported through local donations, and they form the back-bone of the safety net in most parts of the US. One way to identify them (though you will miss smaller organizations that are often the most cash-strapped) is to find out where your city's Community Development Block Grant services funding from HUD is going.

okay, well I give lots of money to catholic charities DC. They fund a huge food bank. I guess I wanted something that would specifically address racial inequality, that had been around for a large number of years with a proven track record of effectiveness so I could be sure the money would be used well. I'm not sure a Catholic based group would be the best choice for this. Any ideas of DC charities that might be similar, with a proven track record, that help?

I don't live in DC...but I can tell you that the ones that are shouldering much of the burden of inequality are not going to have well-documented "proven track records", because they can likely barely afford a proper audit. You can only find these by actively trying to get to know your community (I suggested orgs receiving CDBG funds as a starting place, though those orgs are bigger). I donate a lot to organizations that are specific to my community. I've met the heads of these orgs through my day-to-day life where I live and also through my service on a city board. I make my own determination based on that and on their annual reports etc. If you're looking for an easy answer, I can't give you one. If you want to help overcome structural inequality that was baked into our Constitution, it's going to require some effort. But, FWIW, I have two little kids, an unrelated FT job, and another only tangentially related volunteer activity. It's not actually that much time and effort to do just a little bit, if you are interested in putting it in.

[Anonymous]

Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

He offended American people. No one called for him to be jailed, etc. He made a choice because it was important to him. In so doing, he was thumbing his nose at a lot of people who do honor the flag.
He made a choice. Maybe, if he had still been a great quarterback, things would have gone differently for him. However, his actions offended a lot of fans and gave a lot of people the impression that he is not patriotic. Ultimately, the NFL owners made a business decision.

Most people do not enjoy political activism during football games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GOTV!!

Find an organization helping to register and volunteer

this is what I did

[Anonymous]

I feel sorry for the destruction of neighborhoods. I feel sorry for small business owners, for people who were hurt and scared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

He offended American people. No one called for him to be jailed, etc. He made a choice because it was important to him. In so doing, he was thumbing his nose at a lot of people who do honor the flag.
He made a choice. Maybe, if he had still been a great quarterback, things would have gone differently for him. However, his actions offended a lot of fans and gave a lot of people the impression that he is not patriotic. Ultimately, the NFL owners made a business decision.

Most people do not enjoy political activism during football games.

Like Pence walking out when he purportedly supports non-violent protests.
I agree Pence’s political stunt should not be condoned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the destruction of neighborhoods. I feel sorry for small business owners, for people who were hurt and scared.

Watch the videos of who is actually doing that. It’s mainly outsiders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing we can really offer right now is money, specifically bail money. Find your local bail fund organization here:

https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

But also, start volunteering and getting involved with local black organizers. Ask THEM what they need from you. Get on the mailing list of a nearby black lives matters mailing list. They will tell you what they need. Listen to black people leading the efforts here and follow their lead.

You are going to bail out white supremacists?

Like I said, listen to local leaders who have already organized. They lead and manage the bail funds and will use the funds appropriately. I trust them to make the right decisions and if some white supremacist or little anarchist tween who threw a hammer slips through the cracks, so be it. The cops are crazy right now and with the pandemic - remember that? - no one should be sitting in a crowded cell. The fewer people in police custody right now, the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Start reading. Start understanding just what white privilege is, how white supremacy is baked into the cake of America. Listen to black people talk about their experiences without getting defensive. Support black owned businesses and restaurants. Don’t center yourself. I’m tired and listening to the eerie silence (but blessed) in my curfewed neighborhood, so I’ll just say, of all things, Estee Laundry had a great post on this today.

I’m sure our friendly white supremacist posters will helpfully tell me I’m speaking gibberish, and I still consider myself a neophyte about this, but it’s up to us to change things. It’s not up to black people to fix the power structure they didn’t build and still have no comparative power in. If you and I have no influence or power, statistically speaking we still have more than the average black citizen.

Yes, get to work. If you have kids you should really be doing what you can to learn about racism in America--its been part of our country since the beginning and we need to do our part to eradicate it. Here are some books to help: White Fragility by DiAngelo, So

If you have kids make sure you buys books about people of color. If you don't know where to start look up books by Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Kekla Magoon, Jacqueline Woodson, and Angie Thomas. My kids (and I) have enjoyed their books.
Books that might help you, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi as well as his book Stamped From The Beginning are both excellent (for kids or you try Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi). So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo is incredibly helpful. Michael Eric Dyson's Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America. Dyson wrote the foreward to White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo which is excellent and I think a must read for white people. Another helpful book for white people who are ready to do something constructive is Waking Up White by Debby Irving.

Explore your own implicit or unconscious bias at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/education.html

I would also say seek out Black Media and voices. Twitter makes that easier these days. Support Black institutions like historically black colleges and universities, black businesses, black writers. Those are some things you can do to start. Above all as you do this, be humble, be curious, be willing to challenge yourself and be uncomfortable. That is where real growth happens. Thank you for caring. If you do the work, you will never regret it.

Suppose she has already done this. Suppose she has already read the literature, the studies. Supposed she owns the implicit bias in herself. And now she wants to do something active. Something to make things better. Besides vote, is there nothing she can do besides sit and feel good that she has educated herself?

As Malcolm X said to an earnest white woman in Spike Lee’s film, “Nothing.”

Stop making it all about you, even when you’re “trying to help.” Thinking that it’s your fight or you have anything to contribute is arrogant white privilege in and of it itself. That you cannot see that is ironic and troubling.

That's bullsh**. You know what we have to contribute--becoming antiracist, raising antiracists. Stepping up to change the system and the culture that discriminates against black and brown people because of the color of their skin. I'm not trying to take over the movement and speak for black and brown people. I'm trying to be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing we can really offer right now is money, specifically bail money. Find your local bail fund organization here:

https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

But also, start volunteering and getting involved with local black organizers. Ask THEM what they need from you. Get on the mailing list of a nearby black lives matters mailing list. They will tell you what they need. Listen to black people leading the efforts here and follow their lead.

Why would you give money to bail out rioters? Serious question.

Because they are out there risking their lives to bring change. Riots can pop off at any mass gathering. It is an unfortunate side effect of the protests. You don't get to be the mayor of peaceful protests. This is an emotional issue and people want things to change. Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

So you want to use fear? Got it. Fear always works--until it doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I used to give to the Southern Poverty law center until they were revealed to be a scan. Would the AME church maybe be a good alternative?

DP here. I'm going to leave aside the comment about SPLC and assume you have the best intentions.

I would actually recommend looking into the small non-profits that serve your community. After school programs, computers for low income families, shelters, meals, food banks...these organizations are mostly supported through local donations, and they form the back-bone of the safety net in most parts of the US. One way to identify them (though you will miss smaller organizations that are often the most cash-strapped) is to find out where your city's Community Development Block Grant services funding from HUD is going.

okay, well I give lots of money to catholic charities DC. They fund a huge food bank. I guess I wanted something that would specifically address racial inequality, that had been around for a large number of years with a proven track record of effectiveness so I could be sure the money would be used well. I'm not sure a Catholic based group would be the best choice for this. Any ideas of DC charities that might be similar, with a proven track record, that help?

Give to Howard University or its medical center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I used to give to the Southern Poverty law center until they were revealed to be a scan. Would the AME church maybe be a good alternative?

DP here. I'm going to leave aside the comment about SPLC and assume you have the best intentions.

I would actually recommend looking into the small non-profits that serve your community. After school programs, computers for low income families, shelters, meals, food banks...these organizations are mostly supported through local donations, and they form the back-bone of the safety net in most parts of the US. One way to identify them (though you will miss smaller organizations that are often the most cash-strapped) is to find out where your city's Community Development Block Grant services funding from HUD is going.

okay, well I give lots of money to catholic charities DC. They fund a huge food bank. I guess I wanted something that would specifically address racial inequality, that had been around for a large number of years with a proven track record of effectiveness so I could be sure the money would be used well. I'm not sure a Catholic based group would be the best choice for this. Any ideas of DC charities that might be similar, with a proven track record, that help?

Give to Howard University or its medical center.

Thanks! That's an excellent idea! I know people at Howard, and it really is a strong institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[quoteNot saying these things don't happen, but this is an assumption. For example: I am a white woman. I have received a few tickets in my time--including one for a uturn when I was eight months pregnant and the sign had just been placed there after people had been doing uturns there for years. I was not given a "bye." I have never been given a bye on traffic tickets, although I am a careful driver and have only been given a few. I have a grown white son who received a couple of tickets when he was still at home. He is a polite young man--but, no bye.

As for the goldfish in the store. No one should open a bag in the store--black or white. I don't say anything to others that do that--but, I always wonder if they intend to pay.

I'm the PP who posted the examples and I based it on real experiences I know of. Of course not every white person gets leniency from a judge. Of course not every black person is questioned about a robbery when stopped for a tail light burnt out! This was just some generalized examples based on real experiences to explain what white privilege is, especially since the Irish PP doesn't get it.

To all of the posters who say that a white person should just get out of the way, that they are making it about themselves - that's BS! It will take every segment of society to fix our society. Go ahead and discourage the white people that want to take action and see what happens - only the racist voices will be heard. How will that fix anything?



Okay. I'm white. Been given warnings for tickets. Sibling talked her way to reduced fine for expired registration and inspection sticker in front of a judge. Am a lawyer and have witnessed judges be more lenient on white clients and deliver a racist diatribe about white flight to a black client who acted in self-defense after he was attacked by a white guy. White guy was not charged at first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

He offended American people. No one called for him to be jailed, etc. He made a choice because it was important to him. In so doing, he was thumbing his nose at a lot of people who do honor the flag.
He made a choice. Maybe, if he had still been a great quarterback, things would have gone differently for him. However, his actions offended a lot of fans and gave a lot of people the impression that he is not patriotic. Ultimately, the NFL owners made a business decision.

Most people do not enjoy political activism during football games.

So much to unpack.
- He offended American people. I’m American and I wasn’t offended. What exactly is that statement supposed to mean? I’m sure it offended people when women wanted the right to vote. I’m genuinely confused how certain people can say things that offend people everyday to gain power or promote their business - think the President, Bill O’Reilly, etc. and it’s okay but if someone does so for social change oh no “they offended American people”.
- How was he thumbing his nose and people that do honor the flag? Since honoring the flag should include equality for all, how are YOU honoring the flag to make sure police brutality stops? I would think a fair and just America should be your goal as well? Why is honoring the flag and fighting racism mutually exclusive in your eyes?
- If politics and football don’t mix, why did high level government person use this at a campaign rally er public appearance to score points? Again, I keep asking, where is the right time and the right place and right way to get black lives to matter. How do you get people to feel like it is an American issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing we can really offer right now is money, specifically bail money. Find your local bail fund organization here:

https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

But also, start volunteering and getting involved with local black organizers. Ask THEM what they need from you. Get on the mailing list of a nearby black lives matters mailing list. They will tell you what they need. Listen to black people leading the efforts here and follow their lead.

Why would you give money to bail out rioters? Serious question.

Because they are out there risking their lives to bring change. Riots can pop off at any mass gathering. It is an unfortunate side effect of the protests. You don't get to be the mayor of peaceful protests. This is an emotional issue and people want things to change. Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

So you want to use fear? Got it. Fear always works--until it doesn't.

What? Who, exactly, do you think is “using fear” right now, because it sure as sht isn’t the protestors.

This thread is for white people who want to help. If you don’t want to help, or a particular approach isn’t for you, fine, move along. There are already other threads where you can argue over the best ways to dismantle the whites supremacist police state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing we can really offer right now is money, specifically bail money. Find your local bail fund organization here:

https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

But also, start volunteering and getting involved with local black organizers. Ask THEM what they need from you. Get on the mailing list of a nearby black lives matters mailing list. They will tell you what they need. Listen to black people leading the efforts here and follow their lead.

Why would you give money to bail out rioters? Serious question.

Because they are out there risking their lives to bring change. Riots can pop off at any mass gathering. It is an unfortunate side effect of the protests. You don't get to be the mayor of peaceful protests. This is an emotional issue and people want things to change. Bet Kap and his taking a knee is looking a lot less controversial to you now.

So you want to use fear? Got it. Fear always works--until it doesn't.

My fear comes from the fact that a lunatic is running the asylum.