(ThyBlackMan.com) If black people were united on every front we would not be able to ensure proper treatment in this country alone. This is something many of us are fully aware of. If we were to support each other, completely, in business it would greatly help to heal our community. However, when we can’t buy black it’s important to know what businesses take a stand against the mistreatment of our people. It is vital that we know where we are spending our money at all times. All white Americans are not against us. Yet, there are some that choose to actively be a part of the solution by consciously standing with us.
There is a price for everything… even doing what’s right. The truth is white people were an important part of the Underground Railroad. They knew the price of being caught… they would be branded a traitor. Some knew they would be killed yet they chose to do what’s right. We would see this in real abolitionists, during the civil rights movement, and even in some components of the black power movement. There have always been some that were willing to see us as human beings, and citizens of this country. This history is just as important to acknowledge as the existence of those that seek to do 
harm. Anyone that has the courage to stand up to the establishment has to pay a price…this does not just apply to our people.
There are many white Americans that remain silent as we suffer because they are afraid of losing what they have. They are afraid of being branded traitors and nigger lovers (yes that term still exists) within their family and close circles. Those that own businesses, of course, face boycotts and backlash for doing what all Americans should be doing…demanding justice for us all.
Within our communities it is important that we support those that stand with us. When our athlete’s lose endorsements from those that have an issue with their stance for justice…one of us that is able should endorse them. Likewise, when companies owned by white Americans take a stand against systematic and institutionalized racism it’s important that we stand with them. Recently the ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s has taken a stand with us to say black lives do matter.
“Black lives matter. They matter because they are children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. They matter because the injustices they face steal from all of us — white people and people of color alike. They steal our very humanity. Systemic and institutionalized racism are the defining civil rights and social justice issues of our time. We’ve come to understand that to be silent about the violence and threats to the lives and well-being of Black people is to be complicit in that violence and those threats.”
As a result of this stance “Blue lives Matter” has decided to boycott this company. “ A statement by Blue Lives Matter said Ben and Jerry’s is “spreading false and misleading statements” and that the Black Lives Matter movement “has inspired the assassination and attempted assassination of police officers, and it costs officers their lives.” It’s so unfortunate there is a portion of our population that is unable to see that holding the police accountable is NOT anti-police. Standing up to those in authority when they abuse power is not encouraging violence…its demanding they discontinue their violence which stirs discord within communities.
As businesses take a stand against corruption there will be backlash against them. They just might feel it in their pockets, but we can go out and support them. Just as we seriously need to turn our attention to supporting black owned business…we should not forget about business that are not black owned that are demanding justice with us. I will definitely buy some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and keep an eye out for other business standing with us. Likewise, as some business speak out against us…of course I will keep my money to myself. Let’s foster productive discussion around this topic, and continue to align our resources with those that support our cause.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.
