Old White Guys...What You Can do for Black Lives
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I’m an old white man of privilege.
I wasn’t born into privilege, but my whiteness gave me opportunities that black people often don't have. Never was I pulled over for “driving while white”. I don’t recall ever being spit on for being white. I never had police pull guns on me because I looked like a white man who had stolen something from a convenience store. I wasn’t a saint but I never had to be concerned about losing my life over a minor legal infraction.
Eight years ago, vigilante George Zimmerman killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin – an honors student. Just two months ago Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed by father and son white vigilantes. Then we all watched in horror as four white cops committed a modern day lynching of George Floyd. Black Americans account for less than 13% of the U.S. population, but the rate at which they are shot and killed by police is more than twice as high as the rate for white Americans.
My grandson is a student at Emerson College in Boston. The President of Emerson is Lee Pelton – a black man. Mr. Pelton wrote a letter to the Emerson community in which he describes a lifetime of racism and said to white Americans:
“This is not a black problem, but a structural issue built on white supremacy and centuries of racism. It’s your problem. And until you understand that, we are doomed to relive this week’s tragic events over and over again. What changes will you make in your own life? Begin by answering that question and maybe, just maybe we will get somewhere.” He then finishes by asking white Americans: “What are you going to do?”
Since Floyd’s murder and reading Pelton’s words, I’ve asked myself that question many times: What can I do as an old white man of privilege? Some of my friends have asked the same thing.
Raising money is where I can start. Silence IS compliance and it’s time this old white man spoke out.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is committed to seeking structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
In honor of George Floyd, I will also match the first $2,000 in donations.
David Chambers
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who has donated! I really appreciate it. In less than 24 hours you donated over $2,000 so at this time I have reached my commitment for matching gifts. To help us reach our goal of $10,000, I hope you will continue to share the campaign with others. Thank you, David
I wasn’t born into privilege, but my whiteness gave me opportunities that black people often don't have. Never was I pulled over for “driving while white”. I don’t recall ever being spit on for being white. I never had police pull guns on me because I looked like a white man who had stolen something from a convenience store. I wasn’t a saint but I never had to be concerned about losing my life over a minor legal infraction.
Eight years ago, vigilante George Zimmerman killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin – an honors student. Just two months ago Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed by father and son white vigilantes. Then we all watched in horror as four white cops committed a modern day lynching of George Floyd. Black Americans account for less than 13% of the U.S. population, but the rate at which they are shot and killed by police is more than twice as high as the rate for white Americans.
My grandson is a student at Emerson College in Boston. The President of Emerson is Lee Pelton – a black man. Mr. Pelton wrote a letter to the Emerson community in which he describes a lifetime of racism and said to white Americans:
“This is not a black problem, but a structural issue built on white supremacy and centuries of racism. It’s your problem. And until you understand that, we are doomed to relive this week’s tragic events over and over again. What changes will you make in your own life? Begin by answering that question and maybe, just maybe we will get somewhere.” He then finishes by asking white Americans: “What are you going to do?”
Since Floyd’s murder and reading Pelton’s words, I’ve asked myself that question many times: What can I do as an old white man of privilege? Some of my friends have asked the same thing.
Raising money is where I can start. Silence IS compliance and it’s time this old white man spoke out.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is committed to seeking structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
In honor of George Floyd, I will also match the first $2,000 in donations.
David Chambers
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who has donated! I really appreciate it. In less than 24 hours you donated over $2,000 so at this time I have reached my commitment for matching gifts. To help us reach our goal of $10,000, I hope you will continue to share the campaign with others. Thank you, David
Organizer
David Chambers
Organizer
Flagstaff, AZ
NAACP-Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
Beneficiary