by Fawn Walker-Montgomery
For this column, I want to continue the conversation around Juneteenth. Specifically, passing it as a federal holiday as not enough. Last time, I compared the current situation with Juneteenth in Pittsburgh to either/or thinking, which is a tool of White supremacy. Furthermore, I highlighted the need for local celebrations to center sustainable long-term collective education within the Black community. I am referring to the decision to spend over $200,000 on two celebrations instead of using funds to have multiple events throughout the city. While I appreciate the highlighting of Black entertainment, art and revenue to local Black businesses, a higher priority should be placed on education and sustainable programming to help the Black community. This could also result in a collective shift in thinking, increase conscious levels and self-reliance among the local Black community. Additionally, simply recognizing Juneteenth and hosting events is not a substitute for addressing the ongoing racism faced by Black people.
Since the age of 11, I have been active in the movement for Black liberation and social justice, took part in various racial justice causes and led protests in 2020, etc. Therefore, I can say with a full chest that “making Juneteenth a federal holiday is not what we asked for.” We want liberation, justice, release of political prisoners, resources and the return of stolen land. In addition, more radical responses and policies that would push us further towards abolition. One way that this could have been done locally is to defund the over 100 police departments here in Allegheny County and then put the money towards issues that affect the Black community, such as housing, education, and environmental justice. Moreover, implementing the demands that were put out by various local activist groups during the 2020 uprisings. Instead, we got Juneteenth, government-funded diversity committees, violent police responses such as rubber bullets, and excessive charges for protesters. This issue of having an effective response to Black needs is further emphasized by the commercialization of Juneteenth, from the performative holiday celebrations to White people wearing kente cloths. At times this is upheld by Black people, whether we realize it or not. This relates to what I previously discussed in my earlier columns about Black people comprising our way out of liberation and keeping White people comfortable. Both Black-led nonprofits and Black liberals in positions of power deal with this.
In nonprofits and local governments, grants are common sources of funding, used to help our communities. These funds are often not controlled by us and come with rigid requirements and unrealistic expectations of labor. In an effort to get resources, some get caught into the trap of compromising too much. Similar to capitalism, the relationship starts out good. Initially, you manage to help Black people get resources and hire Black folks. However, you slowly start to notice patterns where funders predominantly suggest White partners for collaboration, promote safe advocacy and respectability politics, push for rushed events that lack tangible resources for Black people and instill a fear of losing grant funding if you are “too Black.” Consequentially, Black issues become whitewashed and are essentially pushed to the backburner or mixed in with multiracial efforts.
To avoid this from occurring, it’s imperative to develop a strong mindset. Surround yourself with like-minded people who share your values for the Black community. Engage in study, read, and reflect on your history. Speaking from personal experience, having a connection to our ancestors and studying has helped me to stay rooted in community. This will aid in developing community-based solutions that help us and future generations.
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