Black Lives Matter local allyship

Photo credit: City of San Carlos

Performative allyship pervades San Carlos

BY CARLA ROBERTS signs to show how much we San Carlos integrity of society once an entire city council Copy Editor citizens care about minorities. Or perhaps decides that public resources should be used a racist passerby will decide that Black lives to convey such a message rather than to take This year, I signed up for the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council. During the two social justice subcommittee meetings we’ve had so far, the focal point has been contributing to the Black Lives Matter movement, and rightfully so. What have we come up with? How are we going to change San Carlos from the inside out? A 537-foot-long mural that says “Black Lives Matter.” If things go as planned, it will be painted on Laurel Street sometime in the near future. This, to me, makes little sense. We are asking the city for a relatively large grant to put towards the planning of this project alone, and even more to commission an artist and buy supplies—all for a mural that is predicted to last, at best, half a year before wearing away. (Or, better yet, could face the same fate as the BLM mural in Redwood City—painted over by the city who permitted it in the first place.) While I appreciate the willingness to demonstrate solidarity, I think that the difference this mural will make is nominal. Maybe it will convince some pedestrians to plant a similar sign in their yards, and we can all have BLM do indeed matter once they see the message plastered along Laurel Street. Meanwhile police brutality will continue, Black people will continue to live with their rights infringed upon, and the systemic racism that has been rotting America’s promise of freedom and equality for 300 years will remain unchanged. This money could instead be used to create resources for Black teens in San Carlos, or be put towards a charity that can make effective use of taxpayer money. But rather than trying to solve the bigger issue, we are buying into a sort of performative allyship where San Carlos can feel good about itself while not having to make any real changes. San Carlos harbors a vast majority of middle to upper-middle class white people, and like every other town in America, has a racial makeup that is more than coincidental. While the term “performative allyship” has become all too familiar in the context of individuals on social media, the underlying issue becomes more threatening to the action to make clear, tangible results. I didn’t write this article to attack the YAC, or San Carlos, or anyone. (Speaking of which, YAC supervisor Carolyn Matoso can be contacted through the San Carlos Parks & Rec website if anyone’s interested or has any questions). However, I do believe that the integrity of an organization lies not only in its purpose and intention but in its efficacy and its ability to create real change. Having a noble goal or solid mission statement doesn’t make a worthy cause. Having said that, I do believe that the YAC is a worthy cause and is making mostly successful efforts towards improving the San Carlos community, but I also think that an organization with the authority to use taxpayer money should be held accountable for the outcome of those investments (especially if the outcome is nothing at all!) While I appreciate the willingness to demonstrate solidarity, I think that the difference this mural will make is nominal. “ Meanwhile police brutality will continue, Black people will continue to live with their rights infringed upon. “

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