Bring people of color into leadership positions. Duh.

“Digging for Dollars.” Ran across this article from The Advocate a couple of months ago, and wanted to finally sit down and blog about it. It reports that “Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues reveals that only 8.8% of all funding for LGBT causes in 2006 went to groups targeting people of color...even though blacks, Latinos, biracial people, and other minorities make up at least one quarter of the U.S. population.” Author Conn Corrigan also goes on to provide us with the fact that out of 19 prominent foundations reviewed, “10 didn’t award a single grant to people-of-color groups that year,” and that in fact “four hadn’t awarded any grants at all to these groups in the preceding five years.”

It’s too bad that Corrigan didn’t name names...maybe then there would be some awareness raised about how Funders could better allocate grants, and how donors could choose better funds to donate to to begin with. By not calling out these 10 groups who aren’t supporting LGBT POC groups, we are complicit in their overlooking of such groups.

And, other than the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, no other foundation who IS supporting projects by LGBT POC groups is named. How about some much needed kudos for funders like these who are supporting a wider segment of queer communities?

True, we could read the report card ourselves (but then what would we need Corrigan for?)

Corrigan focuses his critique on the composition of the board for foundations, arguing that until boards get people of color into leadership positions, such uneven allocation of grants will continue. More POC leaders could translate into more POC groups receiving funding. But, it’s not just the responsibility of POC leaders to grant funds to POC groups. In fact, without the help of allies, no civil rights movements or groups would ever gain much ground. White LGBT leaders are just as capable of giving grants to POC groups, if they realize the necessity and benefit of doing so. And, it’s not just POC’s responsibility to do this education.

I’ve heard over and over in my life how we should “bring people of color into leadership positions” if we want change. I’m not against such a move, but I am against being complicit with white leadership that continues the status quo despite the need for change. Why would POC want to take leadership in such environments? And, how can we expect POC leaders to succeed given the climate they are entering into?

The answer isn’t ONLY people of color in leadership positions—-the answer is anti-racist work, by ALL.