Today’s viewpoint is from MABR student Bryce White.
Another week, another breaking news alert on my iPhone that reads “Black Male Shot Dead bya Police Officer.”
I often question when will this end, but I also often swipe the notification off of my screen with high hopes that it will be deleted from true reality, but I know that is not the case. Even though black males have been murdered by law enforcement for years, is this the new norm? Will my nephew be subject? Will my brother be killed for reaching for his wallet? Will I be killed? Does my life matter? Why do black lives only matter when genocide is the topic? What can brands do? These are questions that ran through my mind recently.
I think we as a society forget how much power and influence that brands have. They also hold a key aspect, and that is their responsibility to change the world for the better. Well the brands that understand that will continue to not only grow from a financial standpoint but grow into a brand that impacts the world. I think brands can impact this situation and create change if they try to understand and be empathetic with people of color and the movement to make the world abetter place, a more human place, a more equal place.
As everyone knows, we can always use the example of Nike and their resilience to be a brand activist for the social movement with Colin Kapernick, but what are other brands doing and how are they helping?A brand that I found committed to change is Kering (parent company to the well known designer brand Alexander McQueen). Kering donated an undisclosed amount of money to the NAACP to help eliminate race-based discrimination in the United States and a campaign (Zero) that aims to combat police violence. I think combating systematic racism and police brutality is a great foundation to foster change and locate a solution to this problem. Brands like this will change the world and allow my future son comfort in the world due to their support, resiliency, and commitment to their social responsibility.
What can brands do?
Brands can follow in the footsteps of Kering and support causes that combat systematic racism, police brutality, and other forms of violence that are directed to specific communities because oft heir race. On the other hand, donations are not the only way to inflict change. Support offers value as well. Brands can support this movement by standing up to systematic racism and police brutality. Social media campaigns are still valued and relevant and can cost zero dollars.Overall, brands have power, capital, and the numbers to influence change, but will their commitment to social responsibility be outweighed by the chance that they may lose money?Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, and that is that I am tired of being overwhelmed
with fear when a police officer trails behind me when I have not done anything illegal my whole life.
BRANDS PLEASE STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING!