November 14, 2017

Marvelous piece about white people power. The article is called “America is Burning.” It’s directed to white people working in philanthropy. And the article asks us, “what is your next move?”

And check out this wonderful interview by Bill Moyer, “Peeling the Whitewash from our Myths.” Moyer is interviewing Susan K. Smith, researcher in American history, religion, and culture.

What are we white people doing? Why don’t we understand? So many years. So many deaths. So many laws and demonstrations. Yes, of course, some change. But not enough. I hope athletes – both black and white – will take the knee on every field and court possible. I hope that protests abound, whites marching in partnership with all people of color.

I watch people twitch when I talk about my unearned privilege of being white, heterosexual, well-educated and affluent.  And my disadvantage is being female. I have people hug me because I talk candidly. And others criticize me because I shouldn’t talk about this stuff.

I think everyone should talk about “this stuff.” I think philanthropic organizations should talk about “this stuff” lots and lots.

About Simone Joyaux

A consultant specializing in fund development, strategic planning, and board development, Simone P. Joyaux works with all types and sizes of nonprofits, speaks at conferences worldwide, and teaches in the graduate program for philanthropy at Saint Mary’s University, MN. Her books, Keep Your Donors and Strategic Fund Development, are standards in the field.

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