By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
Can white men who manage purchasing departments really promote and advocate inclusion policies when it is in direct opposition to their power structure and privilege?
Purchasing goals and inclusion policies are important because most system’s in America have placed barriers before Black people in our efforts to experience equity. Systemic and institutional racism is the reason there is a vast wealth and power gap in the United States. Because of these practices Black people have major disparities with their white counterparts in wealth, health, education, housing and business opportunities. Affirmative action and purchasing goals help bridge the unequal access to opportunities Black Americans still experience on a daily basis.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis reported “White Americans hold 84 percent of total US wealth but make up only 60 percent of the population-while Black Americans hold four percent of the wealth and make up 13 percent of the population. The wealth of the richest 400 Americans is approximately equal to that of 43 million Black Americans… The historical data also reveal that no progress has been made in reducing income and wealth inequalities between black and white households over the past 70 years.”
Access is a key to opportunity. So how eager are white men who control purchasing spends willing to share or relinquish wealth and power?
According the to the Harvard Gazette:
Most scholars agree that the legacy of slavery and other subsequent forms of legal discrimination against African Americans have hindered their ability to accumulate wealth. “Today’s African American adults and children are living with the legacy of discrimination, inequality, and exclusion, from slavery to redlining and other discriminatory practices,” said Killewald. “And in turn, white Americans are benefiting from legacies of advantage.”
Take a second to watch Roland Martin talk about Diversity and Inclusion programs.
I agree! Black First!
“The white man’s happiness cannot be purchased by the black man’s misery.” ~ Fredrick Douglass
Just my thoughts…rwb
