Black Lives Matter

While I try to stick closely to the matters affecting the markets on Get Irked, the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many other black Americans combined with the mistreatment of minorities in the United States cannot go ignored or unaddressed.

I encourage my readers to educate themselves on the inequalities in America as well as read up on the racism and marginalization of minorities that has plagued the United States throughout its history.

Talk is Cheap – Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

It’s not my place to grab the microphone right now.

While I am a member of a minority class, my skin is white and this is the time for black and brown America to have the opportunity to speak out against the atrocities facing minorities in this country, not the time for white people to “whitesplain” the problem as if white people could possibly know what they’re talking about (which they simply cannot).

However, what white people can do is support our black and brown brothers and sisters by aligning with the goals of equality and justice for all, protesting and speaking out (when appropriate – our voices cannot drown out those of the oppressed) and also by donating funds to organizations dedicated to the cause.

This week, I was inspired by an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box morning show with Kwame Owusu-Kesse, the Chief Operating Officer of the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ).

The HCZ seeks to provide services and support to black children in the Harlem neighborhood in New York City, including healthcare and educational opportunities for parents starting from the birth of their children, two fantastic K-12 charter schools free for students, different opportunities for support from birth to college, and, finally, assistance in landing a career. The organization has been so effective that leaders throughout the United States are looking to expand the program nationally.

I started making financial donations to the HCZ this week and I invite my readers to do the same (you can either click my link or go directly to www.hcz.org).

You do not need to support my chosen charity, but I encourage you to find organizations working toward equity in America and give them your time and money.

Let’s not just talk about this. Let’s also do something about it.