"We support and advocate reparations proposals put forward by Black leaders, recognizing that white Americans have no part in deciding what is required to repair and restore the descendants of enslaved Africans individually and collectively, and that these decisions belong to Black people alone."
The above paragraph comes from CURE's Statement of Belief. What does it mean? As allies to a Black movement, CURE members believe we must support the full movement including all of the viable organizations that ask us to support their initiatives. White privilege has made us accustomed to determining outcomes, and as we reject white privilege, we reject the notion that we know what is best. We assert the obvious - that Black people, over time, in their own process, know what is best for themselves.
There remains much to discuss with regard to being an ally, either as an organization or as an individual. If a church group, for example, decides to support reparations, and its Black members say "the reparation we want is an apology," should the church group support an apology only, or should it support the broad movement which calls for an apology and more?
Historically, white Americans have manipulated Black movements toward their own self-interest. We believe this history should be kept in mind as we make decisions as allies. CURE hopes that individuals, churches and organizations joining in support of reparations will decide that this great movement can bring justice only if it fully belongs to the people who have been wronged.
Comments
Ferrell
This is so very important to all Caucasians supporting this movement for reparations, to be a helper and not a leader in the movement. No matter how long you have been in this work, no matter how well versed you are in matters of racism and fighting against racism, there is no way for a white person to even begin to understand the needs of people of color. It simply, in my opinion, is not possible. No matter what the circumstances, we are still white and because of hundreds of years of expecting priviledge and power because of who we are, we cannot understand the depth of the harm done or the totality of the need for reparations. It is ingrained in us to take charge of all things even if there is someone who knows better and is more equipped to understand the problems. "The most I can do is the least I can do." I speak these words in seminars, lectures and forums. I don't speak to guilt, I speak to responsibility. I pray for more of our people to step up and step out on this issue. I just ask that you be willing to follow black leadership.