I wanted to talk a little more about what the backlash against TFA & charter schools might teach white folks in non-profits about how and when to support BIPOC movements, so that's what the following thread will be.

This is aimed at other white folks, and of course I am not an expert as a white person on BIPOC-led movements. I also am not representing my employer in this thread, as always all opinions are my own, informed my reading BIPOC stories in their own words.

If you're seeing this and thinking "hey Avory, I thought you were going to talk about race less publicly!" well, after a summer and fall critically thinking, listening to and talking with BIPOC who I have a personal relationship with, etc., I'm pivoting a bit.

My intention is still NOT to use my social media platforms for generic positive statements or "takes" on racial equity and justice issues. But I think my voice may have some value particularly in speaking to white peers when I have ideas on how we can process our own shit.

So I am very open to any criticism and calling out/in by BIPOC and will commit to doing my own critical reflection and self-education in response if I get something wrong. That said, some thoughts specifically on TFA and charter school harm:

I have a limited perspective. I'm not a TFA alum or staff member, and don't work for a charter school or network. I attended a charter in HS, but it wasn't part of a network. But what's happening in this space is very similar to the general nonprofit space where I do work.

From the information that's publicly available, it looks like those who are involved in the systematic oppression of brown and black students take advantage of the fact that mostly brown and black people complain to write it off.

They get to say "oh, it's just a few uppity black and brown folks who don't know the truth. They might even be external agitators!" and then they can ignore it in favor of catering to white donors who want to "save" black and brown kids.

What this tells me is that, for better or worse, white people have a role to play in shutting down these schools, advocating for harm reduction, etc., because we are the only ones these organizations listen to. The orgs need to hear that white ppl are not going to stand by.

This isn't just about trying to take out TFA, though I personally believe they either need to shut down or overhaul their model. It's also about critically examining specific policies these organizations use, and recognizing the harm they cause.

For example, one poster spoke about TFA's decision to lower a GPA requirement for the incoming corps, as if that were a proxy for getting a more diverse corps—rather than putting $$ into recruiting from HBCUs. This deficit-based approach assumes that Black folx aren't smart...

...rather than acknowledging the importance of recruiting in a culturally aware way, starting in communities where many young black folx eager to serve their own communities can be found. Instead, the $$ goes into showing white donors high Ivy recruitment stats.

We do this all the time in the non-profit space, assuming that black and brown folks need to be "taught our language" or otherwise assimilated, rather than looking first to the wisdom of BIPOC communities and elders for how we can improve our institutions.

I've heard so many stories, including one from a young white woman I counted as a friend for a while, of white folx going to teach through TFA and then dropping out because of fears of violence. Sure, there are sometimes credible threats to teachers' safety...

...but I rarely hear these folx center their own privilege in telling their stories, or acknowledging that the kids and parents and many of the veteran teachers don't have that choice to peace out and go to law school or whatever.

If we do genuinely believe that others' liberation is bound up in our own, then we need to deeply interrogate our OWN institutions and our saviorism before operating in a community foreign to us. The Revolution Will Not Be Funded is an excellent source on this!

When our "minority recruitment" programs for board, staff, or volunteers boil down to teaching someone "white skills," then we're not "saving" anyone. If you see DEI programs focused around "white skills," it's a huge red flag that your organization are just shitty recuiters.

Instead, lobby organizational leadership to start at the ground level and interrogate the desire to change. Is it authentic? Does leadership really want to MEANINGFULLY change your board or staff composition? Then they need to think about actual skill/knowledge gaps.

Instead of focusing on deficits in "white skills" or existing "org culture," what about candidates' assets in terms of cultural awareness, networks, and the ability to bring a different perspective to the work? Ask leadership: if a new person radically disagrees, will you listen?

"We'll hire you, but only if we can teach you how to do things our way and then gaslight you into believing that's a favor" isn't equity or inclusion. It's tokenizing and traumatizing. I apologize to those I've harmed through not always loudly protesting this approach.

Honestly, I used to think this was a complex issue with no right answer. Working inside the system might be okay, and I didn't want to be paternalistic in assuming BIPOC wouldn't want a role in such an org, but I'm reminded that this is why we have to tackle systemic problems.

I still would never tell a single non-white person what I think they should do, apply for, or participate in. But I feel less and less comfort being complicit in a system and rationalizing that. It's part of why I no longer serve on org boards, and never plan to pursue a VP role.

I'm also aware that there is much more I can do, and that all of us are balancing our skills and talents with what the movement needs and where we can contribute. But if this thread gets you thinking, what I know *I* can personally do is offer an ear.