I'm hoping some of our Black DUers might check me on this.

[TygrBright]

Caveat, first - I know it's often condescending, stupid, and offensive to bring out the "As a Black person, can you tell me how Black people feel about yadayadayada" bullshit as though every Black person is obligated to enlighten, entertain, and act as SpokesBlackPerson for all Black people. (Who, this kind of thing implies, are by virtue of their race all homogenous and conforming to whatever stereotypical expectations the white majority has of them.... :sigh: )

I'm trying NOT to do that, here. But I am hoping that sincere requests to bring personal (not necessarily monolithic for-all-Black-people) experience and viewpoints to a discussion, to assist me in being a helpful ally, will not be perceived that way.

We have a unique opportunity. A Presidential candidate for our Party, who is BOTH Black, and female.

Totally awesome, and if we can get Kamala Harris elected President it would fulfill a dream I never thought I'd see come true in my lifetime. Living this long in a sewer of racism and misogyny, it may have affected my ability to hope...

I can already see some "issues" taking shape. (reference: Discussion thread here.)

It's my impression that at least some of the challenge is related to semantics and assumptions. White people who are familiar with institutions like fraternal organizations, college-related "Greek" organizations, churches, social clubs, etcetera, are generally familiar with the white versions of such institutions, and their roles in white communities.

Some white ethnicities may have experience with ethnicity-related versions of similar institutions. That may give some insight into the differences (from similar mainstream WASP institutions) in how such institutions approach their roles in helping members of that ethnicity find support, build networks, advance economic success, promote participation in the public arena, etc. Which might be helpful in understanding similar differences in how Black institutions function for their communities - or promote unhelpful assumptions.

Why do I think it matters?

Because THIS is the chance for me, as a white person, to do everything I can to support other communities - particularly the Black community - in taking power and leadership in the Democratic Party and the political life of our nation. Long overdue. But please attend to my wording there - TAKING power and leadership. I mean this in the sense of defining, on their own terms, how support will be mobilized, how communications will happen, how funding will flow, how decisions will be made, and other important, consequential things.

There has been strong Black leadership in the Democratic Party for some time, but the opportunity to mobilize for a goal of this magnitude is new. I trust Black Democrats to work with leadership in the broader Black community. To know who to tap for what roles, how to communicate to turn out every Black voter.

It has been accurately observed that, in a number of "swing" states, if every white Democratic regular voter turns out to vote AND every single eligible Black voter turns out to vote, those states will no longer be "swing" states. They will be bright blue.

As far as I can tell, one aspect of getting those Black voters to the polls involves mobilizing a whole lot of Black community institutions, on THEIR terms, playing to THEIR strengths, and employing THEIR language, cultural markers, etc.

And I can see where confusion among white people about those institutions, based on their similar names and apparently similar goals with analogous institutions in white communities, could lead to white people being unintentionally (or... :sigh:... in some cases intentionally...) offensive, and diverting the potential impact of such efforts into futile squabbles about racism, cultural appropriation, etcetera.

I do not want to be part of that. I DO want to increase understanding of the importance of such efforts, and the importance of white people being supportive. Not "helpful" in the sense of giving uninformed advice on how to do it, not unconsciously dismissive or minimizing, not playing into the potential divisive discussions.

So I'm hoping I'm right about this:

My role as an ally is to say "YAY!" and "THANK YOU" and even "If I can help, tell me how!"

My role as an ally is to speak FOR MYSELF to other white people about why I appreciate new strategies, changes, communications, etc. related to Black people taking leadership from the standpoint of Black communities and their critical role in this campaign. Not to try and interpret or 'explain' those efforts.

Have I got that right?

hopefully,
Bright

[FirstLight]

1. I'm Not Black, but I think you have the right idea...

I think it would be the same as ANY Ally, who wants to help but ot step on toes. I have had to teach myself about Translanguage and triggers with my Gen Z child who transitioned. So I learned a lot about that angle, and how to NOT make faux pas.

I also grew up in Oakland. I knew way back when I was in school I was a white girl in a multicultural melting pot, and trying to fit in was never going to be by attempting tp blend into those groups, they'd laugh at best and kick my ass at worst. I had a couple friends on the football team or from elementary school who would sometimes say when others pointed out "why is that white girl here?" that I was "cool" Usually I ended up with more firends and study partners.
But yeah, I understand your angle of questioning.
And I think our fellow Duers will appreciate the conscious effort not to accidentally step on toes, or say somethng racist.

[Bundbuster]

2. Kick & Rec.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. If your goal is turnout, then I would say your role is to talk to the communities where you are a trusted voice, and

stick to funding or providing other direct aid in communities where you aren't.

[LeftInTX]

4. I think you might be overthinking this, but I don't know.

Campaigns usually know where to place volunteers.