Society is littered with corruption. We see it everywhere. From the weaponization of the natural gas industry to non-profit organizations with billionaire CEOs. Most will agree about how easily a system can fall victim to the personal motives of an individual or small group of people.
The police, for example, systemically nurtures an environment which negatively impacts certain demographics due to ideologically motivated policies. This isn’t an issue with individual officers doing their best to serve and protect civilians at ground level. Instead, it is a problem with the way in which the organization is structured–from its training regimen to the general culture of blatantly ignoring foul play all for the sake of loyalty to the colour blue. I’ve always wondered how officers who are well aware of some of the wrong-doings stay quiet. Sure, you’re a good cop, but if you walk silently beneath an umbrella of corruption, then aren’t you a part of the problem? It dawned on me that I was being hypocritical. Because I too was ignoring corruption within an organization I care deeply for. I was blindly showing loyalty to a colour. I now had to approach the Black Lives Matter Global Network with this same energy that I was showing the institution that Black people have been rebelling against for decades.
It’s a strange place to be as a Black man shedding light upon the scandalous behaviour of the BLM elite as I did earlier this year. You are automatically labelled an “Uncle Tom” by some members of your community. A traitor. “How can you go against your own people just as we begin to make strides toward Martin Luther's dream?”, they think. Perhaps even worse is the overwhelming guilt and shame that follows hitting publish due to a feeling that you, the BLM critic, are now perpetuating some of the negative thoughts of certain extreme minds who oppose the black community’s stance for equal justice under the law. The kind of people that will probably comment saying “Black people have basic human rights, you idiot! Obama was president”. It’s difficult to articulate to these individuals that a black president doesn’t fix the fact that the education system, as well as many other systems within the black community, are either broken, underfunded, or non-existent. The challenges faced within black neighbourhoods, i.e. crime, can be minimized if the proper infrastructure is set up to help accelerate economic growth. But back to BLM. Just as I criticized members of the police force who hide behind their loyalty to the brotherhood, I felt a responsibility to hold myself to the same standard by reporting on the corruption taking place within the upper echelon of the BLM organization. Before I continue, however, it is vital that we acknowledge the very significant difference between BLM the movement, consisting of people like you and I who are fighting for a civil cause, and BLM the organization, which consists of individuals who have proven to be financially and politically motivated. Following the public outrage that accompanied the murder of George Floyd, BLM Global Network’s incoming donations went into overdrive. According to the now public tax filings for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, BLM garnered US$76.9 million from contributions. It also revealed net assets worth US$42 million. The lack of transparency in regards to how much money was being donated to the cause, as well as its use, sparked friction within the organization. To make matters worse, they bought a US$6.3 million mansion which they claimed to be the main headquarters here in Canada. But the public, who paid for it, had no knowledge of the purchase until a New York Post exposé. The financial statements also showed payments to family members of the founder, Patrisse Cullors, under the guise of salaries. Her brother received US$840,000 for security services while the father of her child, Damon Turner, received a little more than that for “live production, design and media”. I, like you, am no saint. I understand and commend the idea of helping out your circle when in a position of power. However, being the leader of a movement tasked with spearheading the black community’s efforts towards a just society is not a position of power. At least it shouldn’t be treated as such. You are a public servant. That is what Cullors signed up for. To serve. To make sure the deaths of the likes of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor weren’t in vain. To protect their names, rather than using the unfortunate nature of their demise to grease her own pockets–or that of her family members. This was not an opportunity to secure generational wealth. It was the opportunity to secure the liberties of a generation of people. An opportunity now tainted by greed and poor judgment.
Contrary to popular belief, BLM is much more than a cast of supporters repeatedly screaming their assigned lines—“no justice, no peace”. It surpasses simple riots with passionate demands for the abolishment of police. The idea of defunding the police seems to me like a premature tactic. Moreover, when trouble arrives, we are naturally compelled to dial 911. And rightfully so. I don’t want to reside in a helpless environment. As a Nigerian-born Canadian who has seen a failed system at work, I can personally tell you that the ability to dial 911 with confidence that help will arrive is a privilege and should not be taken for granted. But before we can even entertain the thought of “defunding” law enforcement, we must first take the necessary steps to fix the immediate issues within black communities that drive our youth towards a life of crime. That means, firstly, a better funded education system which will, in time, lead to an increase in employment opportunities to stimulate these local economies. According to a report by The Hill, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) stats show that in the state of Virginia, 84 percent of Black students lack proficiency in mathematics while 85 percent lack proficiency in reading skills. These are the basic necessities to adequately perform in any workplace. Unfortunately, similar trends of illiteracy can be found in New York, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri and many more states across Canada’s southern border.
The educational system is only a starting point. But knowing the dire shape in which black communities in the U.S are in, I’m appalled by the idea that the face of the BLM movement chose to give almost US$2 million worth of donations, that we know of, to her brother and former partner. A better use of that money would have been to establish as many facilities that the black community is deprived of as possible–like functional youth centers–and perhaps then employ family members into positions with humble wages like the rest of us peasants. Creation of opportunity rather than reckless expenditure. In what world is it justifiable that the Trayvon Martin Foundation received almost five times less than the amount Cullors gifted her brother, the so-called head of security at their publicly funded US$6.3 million mansion. I’m still baffled by that detail, I don’t know a single security guard that makes US$840,000 a year. Even the U.S. President’s security detail’s salary is capped at US$189,000.
In 1964, when Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel peace Prize for his efforts in the black civil rights movement, he was given US$54,000. After adjusting for inflation, that is over US$500,000 today. He wisely opted to donate that money to the movement he had championed for years. I’m sure he was tempted to use it for a new car, or a house for his family, but he fought these temptations because he understood the optics of such a purchase. There was a bigger purpose than personal gain. Furthermore, a negative public perception would undo all the progress the movement had made. BLM’s founders should have taken note. Now, I'm not calling for Cullors’ head on a stake. It’s not in my nature to enjoy watching the public pile-on on one person. She was in a position that she probably never imagined she would be in. It is somewhat understandable, the pressure she must have felt to spread the wealth given the fact that every member of her family probably knew the goldmine she was sitting on. But a leader must show strength, like Dr. King. So, we cannot excuse her behaviour. I’m not a supporter of protecting someone just because of the colour of their skin. Equal rights must come with equal judgement. Although I still feel a slight sense of guilt for “going against BLM”, frankly, I’ve had to suck it up. I have fully accepted that in order for the black community to evolve, we must first take accountability for the exploitation of the traumas of our people; the exploitation of the generosity and support of White people; and most regrettably, the exploitation of the names and stories of the deceased victims and their family members. Just as much as some voice disappointment at Black folk like myself for, seemingly, bolstering the arguments of those who eagerly anticipate the fall of the BLM movement, I’m equally disappointed at the mishandling of BLM funds because this did exponentially more to solidify the opposition’s talking points. It is often argued that if black people want better lifestyles, we need to take action and build our communities rather than waiting for external intervention. We were given the opportunity to do so, and we fumbled it. We were granted both the moral support of our peers as well as millions of dollars from corporations who, aside from their questionable political motives, wanted to be close to the action–on the right side of history–and we took the money and went shopping. It’s time to return the goods and, instead, utilize the capital for the betterment of our community. It is time to defund the BLM Global Network and, instead, fund the movement’s local branches who in turn can–with transparency–facilitate a culture rooted in education and improve the future prospects of our youth.
Because, black lives still matter.
READ THE BLACK SOCIETY SERIES ON EVERY NEW ISSUE OF CIVILIAN MAGAZINE. IN EACH EDITION, MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY DEBATE A VARIETY OF AFFAIRS PLAGUING THEIR POPULATION AS THEY MARCH TOWARDS EXCELLENCE.