Why more companies should stop being silent and declare #BlackLivesMatter
Conversations about race must start with senior leadership and trickle down. Black people cannot always lead these conversations; and we shouldn’t have to.
Last week, Ben & Jerry’s issued a statement on its website on why this country needs to declare and affirm that #BlackLivesMatter and encouraged its customers to not be complacent on the issue of systemic racism. This necessary call to action serves as a reminder about the value of black lives and bodies in America, and many should feel disgusted at what we see presently in our country.
“They matter because they are children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers,” a portion of the statement read. “They matter because the injustices they face steal from all of us — white people and people of color alike. They steal our very humanity.”
We’re constantly inundated with stories about police brutality and reminded about institutionalized racism and how it impacts the black community on a daily basis. Ben & Jerry’s statement also confronts police brutality, and frankly, reminds us of the every day examples we see on social media and television about the treatment of black bodies.
“It’s been hard to watch the list of unarmed Black Americans killed by law enforcement officers grow longer and longer. We understand that numerous Black Americans and white Americans have profoundly different experiences and outcomes with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.”
Many American businesses choose to remain neutral or silent when it comes to social issues like same-sex marriage, women’s rights and other political movements. Unlike many organizations, Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have a history of weighing in on social issues, releasing ice cream flavors supporting marriage equality and raising awareness about environmental threats.
There’s a heavy price when speaking up for black people, but not as heavy as the burden black people face daily. It’s time to recognize the torture and frustration we experience at the hands of an ironically unjust justice system that wants to restore “law and order” and treat us as less than.
Companies risk financial harm and can alienate customers who think otherwise. Black people, however, know and understand isolation far too well.
After Ben & Jerry’s released its statement, many were outraged by their support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some even vowed to boycott the ice cream giant. These are the same reactions that remind us of our nation’s very long journey ahead to ensuring that the respect and equality for black people becomes a reality.
However, if you search the #BenAndJerrysNewFlavor — which is mostly funny memes and jokes — you’ll see a ton of support for the company and its admirable move. While companies and CEOs like Ben & Jerry’s explicitly throwing their support at the Black Lives Matter movement are few and far between, they’re not alone.
AT&T chief executive Randall Stephenson gave a moving speech to company employees amid protests in Charlotte over the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott last month. Stephenson highlighted that racial tension is destroying the fabric of our community citing examples of mass killings like the one that took place at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and the killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
However, some companies are not only silent but are explicitly to blame for Black America’s strife.
In a new Netflix release, Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th, explores how the Thirteenth Amendment led to the mass incarceration of black men in the United States. The Oscar-nominated director highlights the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which is backed by companies like Walmart. The organization rolled out a criminal justice agenda to help fuel the pipeline of African-Americans being sent to prison. ALEC has also been responsible for supporting voter suppression laws, attacking efforts to raise wages and contributing legislation to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, used to justify the murder of Trayvon Martin.
These are important discussions white people and organizations need to have with each other. These conversations must start with senior leadership and trickle down. Black people cannot always lead these crucial conversations, and we shouldn’t have to. Black people have suffered and protested for years to try to close this racial divide. It is time for everyone to do their part, too. From seeing young black bodies slain in the street and left in a pool of their own blood to social media feeds flooded with new daily hashtags, our lived experiences are on constant display.
Large corporations like Ben & Jerry’s, AT&T and tech companies represent complex identities that often uphold the system of inequality. Research has shown that companies that embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their business statistically outperform their peers. Just look at the recent spike in South Carolina’s tourism after the removal of the Confederate flag from its federal buildings.
While diversity is not a prescriptive to financial gain, the results are certain. It’s time for companies and organizations to engage with leaders from the community and practice cultural humility. Businesses can no longer ignore the contributions of their black customers and employees.
Just imagine reading about the latest, sad hashtag of injustice and racial inequality on your way to work, only to know that despite the ugliness that exists in America, the company you work for acknowledges your blackness.
What an impact that would be.
Drew-Shane Daniels is a Washington, DC-based freelance writer who has penned articles for Slate, Take Part, VIBE, and Fusion, among others. Follow him @drewshane.
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