We Are Not OK, And You Don’t Have To Be Either
We, with the world, watched in dismay on Wednesday as insurrectionists led an attempted coup in the United States Capitol. On a day when the power of democracy should have taken center stage, we were instead faced with the insidious legacy of racism that remains at the core of our nation.
To watch this deadly violence unfold, incited by our own political leaders, is fresh trauma on top of old. It. Is. Not. OK. We are not ok. At a time when many of us are left to make sense of these attacks on our own, our colleague Solome Lemma reminds us our fates are intertwined, and that we must lean on each other now more than ever.
We want our philanthropy and nonprofit colleagues—especially those who may feel alone in your institution or community—to know that we see you, and that we are holding you in our response to this collective trauma.
In trust-based philanthropy, we interrogate not just how to show up in trust-based ways, but who is included in that trust. Who is assumed “trust-worthy,” and who has to earn it. The fact that so many who incited Wednesday’s violence walked away with impunity underscores the stark contrast between the two different realities that coexist in these times. As a majority-leader of color effort, we can assure you that the displays of white supremacist culture we saw on display Wednesday are woven throughout many of our own institutions.
As funders, we need to hold ourselves, and each other, accountable. We must continue to name and work to end white supremacy and structural racism in our foundations, our processes, and our sector. Even when some public leaders won’t.
During times of challenge, we are reminded of the power of relationships and our collective ability to support each other and continue to work toward a future rooted in humility, collaboration, and equity. While the road ahead may be very bumpy, the growing chorus in support of trust-based philanthropy gives us hope for that future. We have the power to end white supremacist practices and harmful cultural norms, and we must continue to come together if we are to build a better way forward.
To our colleagues and grantee partners, near and far, we want you to know we hold you in community. The tacit expectation that we all go back to business as usual is a form of violence in and of itself. We hold out the wish and encourage all who have influence over work culture and teams to make space for downtime and community care. We invite you to take care of yourselves in whatever way is available, and to support each other to do the same.