Let’s Support Black-Owned Local Businesses

The year 2020 has so far been a very difficult year. The underlying cause of course is the pandemic that has gripped the entire globe. The lockdown that followed affected one and all. But, I wouldn’t be wrong if I say that the marginalized were pushed further towards the periphery of the economy. The black community being some of the worst hit. The George Floyd case has reawakened the world’s attention to racism.

As a traveler l too was affected. The situation out there has kept me locked up at home. However, l am grateful that my experience as a traveler, has given me a better and more emancipated world view. Looking at the world virtually, from my home I have been able to develop a broader perspective towards the economic strain caused by the pandemic.

When we spend money now we must take into consideration a lot of things. We need to know where our money is going, who is being benefited, and who needs it most. While buying we must support Black-owned businesses, because ‘it is not enough to be not racist, you have to be anti-racist.’ I know this quote has been repeated so much lately, but this is still as powerful and as true as it always was.

Many writers, bloggers, financial experts, etc. have been suggesting ways to help Black-owned businesses. New movements and campaigns have been started e.g. the My Black Receipt campaign that encourages you to buy from the Black. These things really help. I too was educated by such campaigns and movements.

What we can do to help the Black-owned businesses?

Until the recent worldwide anti-racist movement, I did not really pay attention to these things. Now however I make sure that my everyday spending is well thought of and contributes to some social change. Here is what I have been doing to help the marginalized Black-owned businesses. Here’s some suggestions.

1. I tried gaining knowledge about the business units in my neighborhood because we spend most money there.
2. There are restaurants, cafés, departmental stores, etc. in our neighborhood that have been neglected somehow. I try to buy from places that are Black-owned, Women-owned, or some other underprivileged class.
3. I also prefer places that are anti-racist and visibly so. Places that have shown support to one or more of these marginalized groups.
4. Places that provide employment opportunities to the members of the marginalized communities are also one of my priorities.
5. I also try to buy from Black-owned businesses online. Since the pandemic has restricted our movements, we cannot go and help such businesses that are running in hostile conditions/neighborhood. However, the online platform allows us to help them.
6. I have been trying to influence more and more people around me to help the Black-owned and other marginalized businesses.
7. There are several organizations that disseminate knowledge about systematic racism. I tried making contributions to help these organizations.
8. As a travel blogger, I was able to use my work for the support of this cause. I am sure you too can find a way to extend a helping hand using your professional capacity.

These might look like small steps. But that is how racism also works in our society. The giant monster that racism is even today works in very small and subtle ways. Therefore, our fight against it also has to be on every level. Small steps by a large number of people would make great contributions.

For further ideas on how you can help these communities that have been discriminated against, you can take help from some of the following online portals.

African American Literature Book Club: This database will tell you about various bookstores owned by Blacks.

Instagram: This is one of the most widely used social networks. It has had a tremendous contribution in raising awareness against and about racism- its systematic form and everyday form. You can find Instagram handles that are entirely dedicated to this cause. You can follow Instagram pages and hashtags such as#SupportBlackArt, #SupportBlackBusiness, and #ShareBlackStories, etc.

Support Black Owned: You can download this app or can access the website. This is designed to help people find Black-owned businesses around the country.

EatOkra: This is a great app for foodies. This app will find you the eateries and other such places around you, black-owned. Even if you are not a foodie like me, you would still want to visit a good place to eat at once in a while. Wouldn’t it be great if you could help people just by eating your favorite food?

Add to the conversation…

Is there a black business that needs our support? Comment below – Tell us about it and hopefully we can all help together!