Has global philanthropy agenda shifted to social injustice, economic inequalities, and racial reforms?

On May 25th, 2020 , at the intersection of 38 Street and Chicago Avenue in the US city of Minneapolis, in Minnesota USA, the world witnessed a callous, graphic and painful documented death of George Floyd while the perpetrator white policeman Derek Chauvin, held his knee on his neck, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, as he gasped for his life “I can’t breathe”. The image was viewed all over the world thanks to the power of social media. On this same day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union, had declared the day as special day consecrated to observe Africa liberation struggles, in remembrance of freedom fighters died while trying to secure Africa's freedom from, colonialism, slavery, apartheid, human trafficking and racial segregation. The African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki while echoing the sentiments of African nations, issued a statement condemning the mistreatment of the African American communities by the US state sanctioned actions.

The duality of these two separate events reminds us of the umbilical cord that links the African Diaspora to the motherland going back 400 years when the first slave ship arrived at Point Comfort Virginia in 1619. The transatlantic slave trade transacted over 12 million Africans who were forcefully removed from the continent to work as slaves in tobacco, hemp, rice , sugarcane and cotton fields in America as well as in the tea, coffee, sugarcane plantations in countries where the European and Americans had commercial interests and trading ties. More Africans were forcefully conscripted into the colonial forces during world war, as free slave labor to these forces. The Age of the discovery period 14th century emerged out of the great bubonic plague of 1347 that claimed millions of lives. The age of exploration period was the period when the Europeans acquired the license to engage in extensive acquisition of colonial territories, slaves, mineral resources from Africa.

Some of the major culprits included Spain , Portugal, Britain, French , Italy, Germans, Dutch, USA. Belgium, Turkey, Brazil. Coincidentally upon closer analysis , these nations are leading in COVID-19 pandemic cases and deaths, according to data available from Center of Disease Control, USA is leading 31.2%, Europe 26.2% the rest of the world combined 40.2% and Africa 2.4%. The COVID-19 numbers are even more telling , with the best healthcare systems and resources Europe has the most cases 44.8%, USA 29.1% the rest of the world 25% and Africa 1.1%. Africa with less elaborate healthcare infrastructure has higher recoveries rates and less deaths.

These evil and unjust foundations contributed immensely to the prosperity and economic empowerment, of these global powers. These nations benefited immensely from free labor, sweat and intellectual capital of the African slaves. The civil right movements and other subsequent movements have made a lot of progress in addressing inequities in social and justice systems in the world. George Floyd murder appears to be the tipping point in the journey of for justice for not only Africa Diaspora but the entire world where human race has lost its moral compass and intelligence.

When I watched the video of George Floyd, I could not stop my tears from flowing, and I know that this is true for many people as well. Social media advocacy power in the hands of some of the most prolific millennials and generation z activist cannot be underestimated in changing the game. The traditional media structures that has for a long time dominated the monopoly of shaping global agenda and prescriptions for news consumption are playing catch up. In less than a week, the world has witnessed protests in over 100 cities in US and abroad, in some instance’s protests were accompanied by burning and looting of properties to divert from the real issues at hand.

The COVID-19 pandemic singlehandedly saw all sectors of global businesses, religious institutions, education, businesses, including governments curate mitigation measures by migrating their operations and systems, to virtual platforms further accelerating transition to fourth industrial revolution. Many celebrities and big corporation are committing resources to support organizations involved in promoting racial equality, social justice reforms and greater access to education. Michael Jordan Brand has committed US $100 for the next 10 years. Nike Brand has made a commitment of $ 40m, Bank of America has committed US $ 1 billion for the next 4 years to support economic and racial inequality in communities affected disproportionately by COVID-19 pandemic. The number of organizations joining the movement is increasing every day signaling a major shift in philanthropy focus and setting up the stage for the next global agenda for this decade.

History is replete with many cases where humans have historically carried out prolonged and protracted violations & oppressions against certain groups of people, or communities the world over in their quest to accumulate power and wealth. Those in power have continued to enjoy these privileges without accountability to the citizens. There comes a time, when human tears begin to flow like river and their pains and trauma reverberate in the heavens, then universe takes notice and conspires to delivers a Gorge Floyd moment. The convergence of all these events remind us of the urgency in working together at all levels to identify new toolbox of solutions to addressing the deeply rooted injustices in our societies that tend to disproportionately marginalize the black and brown other communities of color.

In addition to COVID-19 responders, we now have new set of responders in the social justice space that, urgently need resources and social capital to build networks across America that will assist in the triage huge population of communities that have been disproportionately impacted by historical structural systemic and racial injustices, inequities in health and education systems , COVID-19 pandemic. 

Much of the pain and anger is being expressed through public street art and paintings of roads, buildings, in various communities across America. These are important milestones that will remind us about this important journey. The social justice movement and activism that has emerged from the recent events is unprecedented in both approach and resolve to find a lasting solution.

The evidence of the past crimes is stored in the land, the American soil soaked the blood of victims of terror, the sweat of the cotton crop shearers, even though our current justice system cannot process this evidence, the court of the universe can validate these violations and judge appropriately. In the fourth industrial revolution the speed and dexterity in capturing and documenting crime is instantaneous and swift. We must work together to create a fair and just society that is able to distribute justice equally to all. When the Africa Diaspora cries, the pain resonates with mother Africa.

I have strong conviction and believe that America and the world will come out of this greater and stronger and more just, only if all of us work hard at the solutions, acknowledge the atrocities, encouraging the conversations on all forms of injustices, empathize with communities that are going through a catharsis process and legislate policies and laws that address these challenges.

We need to engage with intentionality and honesty when seeking forgiveness and lasting solutions to these injustices, so that we do not waste the abundance of supernatural grace that has been released to us to complete the process. We will receive a renewed spirit, we shall experience healing and develop new bonds of trust in our communities, institutions, police service, economies, politics and we shall encounter change in our mindsets a sustainable and society. It has become more clearer than ever that beyond COVID-19 pandemic, there is a new world out there that will not tolerate, process the former mindsets and practices. We need to step up with our renewed mindset, spirit and resolve to create a just and sustainable society for everyone and posterity.