By now we’ve all seen the list of demands that came from a Louisville, KY member of Black Lives matter, Chanelle Helm. The article I’m referencing can be found here: https://www.leoweekly.com/2017/08/white-people/ Originally, I was going to put a single ‘Fuck You’ reaction to each of these 10 points, but instead, I’m going to try and unpack this a bit more calmly. So, here we go:
1. White people, if you don’t have any descendants, will your property to a black or brown family. Preferably one that lives in generational poverty.
Actually, I’m going to will everything to my wife. What she does with it afterward won’t mean shit to me because I’m dead.
2. White people, if you’re inheriting property you intend to sell upon acceptance, give it to a black or brown family. You’re bound to make that money in some other white privileged way.
Again, if I’m coming into a material inheritance that I plan to liquidate, said liquidation will go into the coffers that I plan to will to my wife as per point 1. Despite what you may think, making a large lump sum of money it not that quick and easy for anyone.
3. If you are a developer or realty owner of multi-family housing, build a sustainable complex in a black or brown blighted neighborhood and let black and brown people live in it for free.
Ok, but first, you must approach a development company that is run by a black person, and run this by them. If they agree then you’ve set a precedent. If they laugh and toss you out on your ass…well…I guess that sets a precedent too.
4. White people, if you can afford to downsize, give up the home you own to a black or brown family. Preferably a family from generational poverty.
Downsizing usually means that someone is trying to relieve themselves of a financial burden, like utility costs or taxes. Owning a home, even if the mortgage is paid off, doesn’t mean you stop paying. Monthly expenses, maintenance, taxes, and other incidental costs are all part of owning a piece of property. So simply giving it to a family that comes from ‘generational poverty’ is ludicrous. Within a month, that impoverished family would be out on the street for failing to pay the bills. Nice one, Chanelle. Let’s give an impoverished family one month’s worth of someone else’s home before they’re kicked out.
5. White people, if any of the people you intend to leave your property to are racists assholes, change the will, and will your property to a black or brown family. Preferably a family from generational poverty.
See point 1. Plus, if my wife was a racist asshole…well…she wouldn’t be my wife. Further, why would someone want to will their assets to a stranger? I mean it sounds all made-for-TV-movie wonderful, but the reality is folks are more concerned with family than anything else. Plus, if someone is committed to leaving their fortune to some racist cause, do you really think you’re going to shame them into changing their ways? Really?
6. White people, re-budget your monthly so you can donate to black funds for land purchasing.
To what end? Or does this tie in with point 3? Would this land be used for housing, agriculture, business? Do you actually think simply owning land means anything if you’re not going to do anything with it? Now, if I had that kind of money to donate, I’d expect to see a plan, as well as see references from any business that would be developing that land for your intended purpose.
7. White people, especially white women (because this is yaw specialty — Nosey Jenny and Meddling Kathy), get a racist fired. Yaw know what the fuck they be saying. You are complicit when you ignore them. Get your boss fired cause they racist too.
And here comes the ebonics, lending oh, so much credibility to the argument. We all know what’s implied here, but I’ll agree that if you’re a rabid racist of any color, you don’t deserve a position of business authority, especially over employees of varying racial backgrounds. Meaning, if your boss is black and can’t resist calling white folks crackers, or successful black people coons, then yes, by all means, get them fired. Oh wait, you meant just white bosses, didn’t you? Sorry, I honestly thought for a moment that you were actually going for equality.
8. Backing up No. 7, this should be easy but all those sheetless Klan, Nazi’s and Other lil’ dick-white men will all be returning to work. Get they ass fired. Call the police even: they look suspicious.
Pro tip: articulation of speech, including spelling, is proven to better get your point across. Trying to spell out how un-educated you sound is not helping your cause. However, that’s not why I’m here. Again, I’m in partial agreement with this. If you willingly march in a Klan march, or sport Nazi symbolism, people need to be made aware so they can properly ostracize you and make you feel as much the piece of shit you are. However, the same goes for BLM, Black Panthers, Brotherhood of Islam, Hamas, ISIS, Boko Haram, and any other group out there that actively seeks out the destruction of all those different from them. I know, Chanelle, you’re only referencing white folks here, but just be aware that the pendulum swings both ways.
9. OK, backing up No. 8, if any white person at your work, or as you enter in spaces and you overhear a white person praising the actions from yesterday, first, get a pic. Get their name and more info. Hell, find out where they work — Get Them Fired. But certainly address them, and, if you need to, you got hands: use them.
Hm, inciting to violence. Isn’t that classified as hate speech? Oh, and I’m just gonna reference my previous point here. It goes both ways, honey.
10. Commit to two things: Fighting white supremacy where and how you can (this doesn’t mean taking up knitting, unless you’re making scarves for black and brown kids in need), and funding black and brown people and their work.
I’ll commit to one: Fighting white supremacy because it also means fighting ignorance. I will also fight black supremacy, Islamic supremacy, Sharia law, tribalism, and any other movement that is determined to segregate us and tell us who we can and cannot associate with. I’ll fund/patronize any business that has a product I want or need. If the company is run by assholes (Chik Fil-A, Hobby Lobby), I’ll avoid them. That being said, if a white-run hardware store has the wrench I’m looking for but the black-run store doesn’t…well…you know where I’ll be.
Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t address her hashtags at the end of this screed. I find them amusing and would like to take a moment.
#RunUsOurLand – Not your land. Your ancestors came from across the Atlantic, same as the rest of us. This land belongs to the natives, and you’re as unwelcome here as we are.
#Reparations – You first. We Canadians sheltered your ancestors from slavery, so I want my cut for services rendered. Pay up.
#YouGonLearnToday – Learn what, how to speak like an uneducated racist rage-monger?
#RunUsOurMoney – ‘Money for Nothing’ is a song, nothing more. Go out and earn your keep.