Breaking the Cycle
Let’s talk…
There MUST be some folks out there sitting on some property who can make it possible for people of moderate means (Black folks in particular and in general) to own houses where they may not necessarily WANT to run when the shade of the hood changes.
Wait!
That’s not normally the case anyway.
We’re talking about WHITE flight. I know people want to describe it more as a form of classist escapism of the haves versus the have nots, but you just have to look at wealth disparities for a moment to realize that’s not true either.
Black folks (in particular and in general) don’t have a lot of things… Let’s list them:
1. Employment
2. Education
3. Healthy tax base
4. Old 💰 (either historical or government subsidized)
5. Fair and enforceable civil and human rights
6. Freedom from systemic racism and oppression
7. Freedom from police brutality and needless and unnecessary incarceration
8. Freedom from stress
I’m hoping not too many folks reading this are feeling uncomfortable hearing the truth, but the truth sometimes hurts.
Sure, you can argue outliers, but last time I checked, NONE of us currently live next door to President Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West, Michael Jordan, or even Kevin Johnson for that matter. So let’s save that deflection for another day.
With regard to White Flight, I’m not saying all white folks, but a great many who run because they can (financially or politically) may not have learned the Four Cardinal Life Skills from Kindergarten:
1. Be Kind
2. Share the Tricycle
3. Use Your Words
4. Be Fearless
Let’s apply them to White Flight…
Be Kind:
You don’t own the neighborhood. You own your home. Be kind to other folks who live in your neighborhood. They probably like it there too. Be comfortable that you are paying similar property taxes as your neighbors. Maybe be a little more kind to the Black neighbors who unfortunately (and because of systemic racism and oppression) lowered your property values when they finally worked twice as hard, to earn half as much, to qualify for a smaller home loan, to pay a mortgage with a significantly higher interest rate, as you did. Being kind is the easiest way to share the tricycle.
Share the Tricycle:
Be willing to be the change you need (not want) to see in the world. Share in the oppressive struggle your Black neighbors are experiencing by staying put while creating a safe space. Just think about the cultural exposure your children (and yourself) will have. Think about what your privilege brings to the neighborhood by improving tax revenues, employment, education, health outcomes (we’re talking infant mortality, and premature adult deaths here), and well-being. Maybe your presence would keep some of our children from being mowed down by a barrage of bullets or tased near to death for carrying a cell phone, reading a book, possessing a legal concealed carry permit, having a stroke, or walking your Rottweiler. Law enforcement needs to stay put too. Sharing the neighborhood with those you are sworn to “Protect and Serve” provides you with an opportunity to co-exist with and check your bias. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? No one can read your mind so you must Use Your Words to kindly demand that which is fair and just for your neighbors.
Use Your Words:
Black folks have said enough. We’ve said the same thing over and over again. Those words often fall on the deaf ears of those who decided Kindergarten was not for them and left the neighborhood for whiter pastures. Speak out! Speak loudly! Speak often! Speak change! We all know your hearts have the right words, so now you must will your heart to Be Fearless.
Be Fearless:
Be that person (and raise your children) to be the person who thinks and behaves like that Kindergartner who shows up at school every Monday with a new set of Band-Aids in all new locations. The kid the teachers don’t call CPS on anymore (and CPS has said to stop calling) because the parents have Used Their Words to share how they fully support their child’s risk taking. They acknowledge keeping him safe enough, but know she’s going to build so much character (mentally, physically, and intellectually). Use Your Words to call your local politicians and let them know about the differences you’ve seen for the neighbors you have made a choice to share the neighborhood with. Let them know about the policies they support, which have made it possible for others like you to exercise the option to dig up and transplant themselves into another garden simply because they could. Humble them by sharing the improvements in the neighborhood because you didn’t run and chose to Share the Tricycle.
So yes, it is possible to break the cycle.
You just have to be willing to share in the struggle (without coopting said struggle), be kind (and accept the truth of) those who experience said struggle, use your words to be the catalyst for change you (and your neighbors) need (not want) to see.
Goddess