Black-Ass Allies (lol)
Welcome to the 116th installment of This Black-Ass Life! We're two years from the start of corporations announcing their pledges to use money, power and respect for Black lives. We're nearly two years out from David Guetta doing the most surprising sound mix of all time. Let's talk about it!
I. The Facts
Summer 2020 was a fever dream. A few highlights of extremely public displays of solidarity (lol).
Brands like Glossier and Starbucks made statements in solidarity with Black staff and customers while their workers and customers called out rampant discrimination. Also, and importantly BOO UNION BUSTING!
Walmart said NO MORE to locking up natural hair care products.
The real estate industry said, "STOP considering a bedroom your master; call it the 'owner's suite' instead."
Gushers declared they "wouldn't be Gushers without the Black community." And honestly, we don't care what came of their work alone or once they called Fruit by the Foot; Gushers held Black people down in middle school.* Find a more vital ally to the community than some Funyuns followed by a dessert of Gushers. You can't!
I (Mitu) am sorry to say I googled "Calvin Harris Black Lives Matter" to get to this video of David Guetta giving the single most shocking shout-out of all time. That search still led me to this video as the first hit, though!
What might be our favorite in its oddity is that Jamie Dimon, the 63-year-old CEO of JPMorgan Chase, went to a BANK VAULT to take a knee with his staff in front of it? This man.
Bonus: Speaking of kneeling. We can't forget this gem organized by the CBC.
Why does it matter?
When corporations and state institutions say Black Lives Matter, they appear to support our liberation. But we know they are also actively participating in our continued oppression. That's why so many corporations that made solidarity statements in 2020 were immediately shut down by their own Black staff, calling out discrimination in pay and treatment.
They not only made statements, you say. They gave money!
Yes, yes, they did. Corporations gave money to "leaders" who bought million dollar homes while organizers on the ground continue to lack necessities to support themselves and their communities. They gave money to state-friendly organizations whose core requests included politely asking police to stop choking Black people just a lil bit. And really, if they had to do a lil state-sanctioned violence, making sure the camera was at least on.
Ultimately, the powers that be knew exactly what to do, and then didn’t do it. They instead threw money to support racial justice influencer houses (????), put together working committees, funded ineffective DEI programs and co-opted the language of liberation.
How are we to believe these companies are interested in liberation when they haven’t even taken steps toward supporting their own Black staff? How are you changing culture when you won't even make change within your own sphere of influence?
While this all might seem cynical, the reality is the reality. Police funding has dramatically increased since Summer 2020, though they were never hurting for cash; and the same companies with BLM statements are actively supporting voter suppression and racists.
And just last week, Patrick Lyoya was executed by the police in broad daylight; and a no-knock warrant led to the execution of Amir Locke just a few weeks ago. We’re not back to square one because we never actually left.
What can my Black ass do?
Take a trip through nostalgia; enjoy some Gushers.
Check out these resources to support Black mental health.
Laugh. Yes, it's hurtful Black Lives Matter, as a phrase and movement, has been rendered so toothless that even the OGs of hate support it, aka Queen Liz' n' em.
But, y'all! Nancy and her septuagenarian and octogenarian coworkers wore kente cloths and kneeled on hard marble floors. Lololololololololol
*As a member of the Hot Cheetos and Fruit Roll-up hive, I (Jumoke) am disappointed that they did not stand up for Black people especially given these are the superior middle school snacks.
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings
We gotta plug ourselves first because we are in The Cut talking about how weird the Internet was (and offer our thoughts on why) during Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings.
Desperate to know if Michelle ever pursed her lips and called Barack a c**n like Viola does here. Anyone who has read Becoming, PLEASE, we need your knowledge!
Mary J. Blige will be honored with the Icon Award from Billboard.
The way Blue Ivy manages her home!! She coached Ms. Tina into her acting role.
Please read this from Hunter Harris on ASAP’s exoneration.
Cardi B and these babies are STUNNING.
Baltimore’s Black art, science, literature, sports and more will be intentionally archived.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Mitu):
Meg Thee Stallion is a STAR who debuted new music at Coachella. The literal only rapper whose breath control can compete with Meg’s is Beyoncé.
Things we look forward to / don't look forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to rewatching some of Viola’s many best performances this week because wowweee, why did my auntie do this?!
I (Mitu) look forward to the next Jasmine Guillory joint, By The Book, coming this May!
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
I (Mitu) brought my dog to my parents’ for a visit and my dad sent me this very sweet text about how he misses her. Please note, I am not in the list of things he misses.
Stay Black, thrive and take a nap today. We'll hit your inbox next on May 2.