(Our family is having some intense Zoom and email conversations this week, motivating each other to get educated and activated in support of racial justice. In one email thread, our 13 year old granddaughter, Rumi, asked this potent question: "How?" She wants to know what she can do to make a difference. Here's what I wrote back to her.)
"How?" you ask, Rumi -- yes, that's the right question! To make change, we have to exercise power - and there are different kinds of it.
Money is a big one, for better and for worse: people with a lot of money have more potential political and cultural influence than normal folks. And some rich people and their corporations have used their power to prevent black people, and others, from getting what they need to rise above the 400-year-old legacy of racism in America. These rich folks have used their influence to cut taxes and cut government spending on health care, housing, and social services that could lift up people from poverty. They are guilty of systematic racism: they have supported an economic and political system that makes life hard for a lot of black people. They don't need to say bad things against black people: they just take actions that will hold them back. But rich people with the right intentions can do a lot of good toward ending systematic racism, by donating their money wisely.
"How?" you ask, Rumi -- yes, that's the right question! To make change, we have to exercise power - and there are different kinds of it.
Money is a big one, for better and for worse: people with a lot of money have more potential political and cultural influence than normal folks. And some rich people and their corporations have used their power to prevent black people, and others, from getting what they need to rise above the 400-year-old legacy of racism in America. These rich folks have used their influence to cut taxes and cut government spending on health care, housing, and social services that could lift up people from poverty. They are guilty of systematic racism: they have supported an economic and political system that makes life hard for a lot of black people. They don't need to say bad things against black people: they just take actions that will hold them back. But rich people with the right intentions can do a lot of good toward ending systematic racism, by donating their money wisely.
Institutional power is the power held by people who control companies and governments. CEO's, politicians, government officials, police officials, etc. They control the institutions that have the ability to help or hurt people. Companies and governments can do a lot to make policies that counteract systematic racism. For instance, politicians can make sure that police are trained to be sensitive to minorities and trained in non-violent crisis management techniques.
People power is another form of power. See the image above! When regular people without a lot of money get organized and focused, they can force businesses and governments to change their policies. Little fish, organized together, can make the big fish change direction! Organized, peaceful demonstrations in the streets are examples of "people power". Also, regular people joining advocacy groups like ACLU and NAACP can have big influence, because they represent millions of voters.
Cultural power is a kind of people power. And I think this is where you and your friends can make a bigger difference than you might imagine. Music, art, TikToks, videos, etc, can have a huge influence in changing the direction of our country toward racial justice. A handful of young people in Serbia, back in 2000, brought down that country's brutal dictator by using cultural power that inspired a larger people power movement. In Latvia, a "singing revolution" starting in 1986, was crucial in ending the rule of the Communist system there . The upcoming election in November is a big deal for racial justice. Biden is not perfect, of course, but he is light-years ahead of Trump in fighting systemic racism. Culture power can help Biden and other Democrats get elected.
As a 13 year old who is fluent in social media, you have a lot of potential culture power. And you can have fun using that power!
As a 13 year old who is fluent in social media, you have a lot of potential culture power. And you can have fun using that power!
JIM BURKLO