Living Our Values
“In many ways, Juneteenth represents how freedom and justice in the US has always been delayed for Black people.”
We see holidays as a reflection of our values, and this Juneteenth, we acknowledge and honor the sustained struggle of Black leaders who continue to be at the forefront of the fight for collective liberation. Join the The Movement for Black Lives in a National Day of Action on June 19th - learn how you can show up in solidarity.
A Budget as a Moral Document
Our values are also expressed in how we spend our money. Whether it is personal, organizational or public money, budgets speak to what issues, resources, and people we deem important.
The People’s Budget LA surveyed 24,246 people (nearly as many surveys as the 2016 CNN Presidential election exit poll!), and a clear picture emerged of the community’s values: Angelenos believe that 45.61% of the City budget should be spent on universal aid and crisis management, with 1.6% dedicated to policing. This is in stark contrast to the budget as it stands, with 54% of the budget dedicated to the LAPD. Our public spending does not align with our broader community’s values, and we have a powerful opportunity to change that.
Earlier this week, we witnessed an historic City Council meeting with activists from Black Lives Matter LA, BLD PWR and LA Voice urging Councilmembers to invest in a People’s Budget. As Dr. Melina Abdullah said in the meeting, “This is a moment where the world has cracked open, and you all have the opportunity to really be courageous and do something different in the city of Los Angeles."
Our SVP Accelerator partners are an integral part of the movement:
Brian Kaneda of CURB writes in the San Francisco Bay View calling for a ‘Decarceration Budget’- reducing spending on prisons and redirecting funds towards community-based services and housing.
Initiate Justice Executive Director Taina Vargas-Edmond writes on the need to create an entirely new system of public safety in “The Time is Now: Defund Police & Abolish Prisons.”
Sonya Passi of FreeFrom shares that 85% of federal funding for domestic violence goes towards law enforcement, yet 80% of survivors are too afraid to call the police when in crisis.
Freedom for Immigrants connects the fight for immigrant rights and the #defundthepolice movement in “Why Freedom for Immigrants believes in abolishing immigration detention.”
The Power of Individual and Organizational Budgets
Just as a City’s budget is a reflection of its values, so too are our personal and organizational budgets. We encourage you to think about the power of your spending.
At SVP, we’ve made an explicit commitment over the last several years to intentionally seek out Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned businesses, restaurants, contractors, and organizations.
Here are some areas where you may have spending power:
Grantmaking & personal giving - Invest in Black-led organizations fighting for racial justice. Read “An Open Letter to Philanthropy and Government Leaders: Equity Meets Its Moment” from the Black Equity Initiative, collaboratively led by SVPLA Board Member Kaci Patterson, and "Dear Philanthropy: These are the Fires of Anti-Black Racism" by Will Cordery.
Your organizational budget - invest your money in Black-owned restaurants, businesses, and banks.
Your personal budget - purchase books by Black authors for Black Publishing Power Week, and diversify your media sources by subscribing to these platforms (a great list put together by Nicole Cardoza).
Your local influence - Inquire with the leadership of your city on the breakdown of its budget, and see this spreadsheet compiled by Josh Vredevoogd breaking down how much each city spends on law enforcement. Complete this Care First Budget survey to weigh in on the LA County budget. Learn more about how cities around the country are reimagining public safety.
Reach out to local businesses and ask them to take the 15% pledge, and sign the petition for all retailers to give 15% of their shelf space to items created by Black-owned businesses. This is an opportunity to chart a new course, and that course starts with each of us - in our homes, our workplaces, and the actions we take in community. We hope that you are finding ways to connect to your power and your community, and to take personal and organizational actions to create a more just and loving Los Angeles.