So this is what happens when communities push institutions to name and address anti-Black racism, and the institutions claim they know how to do this. I cannot imagine a single Black person saw this before it was approved. /1 https://twitter.com/DesmondCole/status/1359563096927395840

I have heard many Black folks talk about how the new-found desire for institutions to mitigate historical and present structures of anti-Black racism has led to harm because unsurprisingly, there often are not Black people in positions to lead these efforts. /2

On the flip side, there are also many institutions unloading this work on their few Black employees without giving them the appropriate power to make real change, causing even more stress having to navigate what would be 'acceptable' to their bosses. /3

This. Is. Why. We. Need. Black. Leadership.
Only Black people know the true harms and impacts of anti-Black racism. Those who are directly impacted will always better understand a structure of oppression and the solutions to mitigate or break it down. /4

But this is also why we need *real* critical allyship and support from non-Black leaders. While Black people must show us the way, non-Black leaders, have to be able to mobilize their resources and power to make the vision a reality. Anything less is just more harm. /5

We cannot have the institution's desire to demonstrate their anti-racist chops (now that it is socially acceptable, even desirable to do so) at the expense of Black and other racialized people. This is the opposite of what we need. /6