What is The Black New Deal?
This is an effort to use the knowledge of "the crowd" to discover a set of outcomes that will disrupt the effects of systemic racism. Our goal is to create a tool to "spark" local government, federal officials, and Silicon Valley leaders into actions that transcend monetary donations, well meaning lip service, and commitments to hire more underrepresented professionals. Ultimately, the Black New Deal community creates a movement with the objective creating changes that will begin to repair the damages caused by decades of racist policies in America.
"Now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize."
~@killermike
How Will We Do This?
INVENT THE SOLUTION
With the help of a hive mind of concerned citizens and patriots. Together, "the crowd" will determine our most promising solutions.
DEFINE & PROMOTE ACTIONS
Collect feedback, prioritize top solutions, and focus on consensus actions
ENGAGE THE NETWORK
Use Silicon Valley's immense network and pool of capital to get The Black New Deal on the political roadmap
Engaging the Tech Community
Tech's Ability to Disrupt Racism
Silicon Valley tech and private capital has been a major catalyst for some of America's most important cultural and economic shifts. As members of that community, we value and respect our responsibility to the history of change. Therefore, it is our belief that no community is better positioned to "disrupt" systemic racism --- the enduring blocker of America's sustainability and growth.
Silicon Valley, and technology companies in general, stand to reap outsized financial reward as the new economy rolls forward. Returns and growth of these companies, however, is limited if the U.S. is embroiled in race-related conflict and other symptoms of systemic racism.
Focus on Tech & Private Capital
Focus on Tech & Private Capital
Symptoms of Racism Impact Silicon Valley
-
Political stalemates based on race-politics, resulting in failure to invest in infrastructure, unofficial segregation, civic neglect, and poverty
-
Smaller pool of employees and entrepreneurs to drive innovation / competition globally
-
Smaller pool of ideas resulting in failure to serve large portions of the consumer public
-
Civil unrest, riots, property damage
American History Proves "We Can"
We know that America can mobilize at scale to address problems when there is agreement that cost of not acting is too high. ​
1933 New Deal
In response to ravages of the great depression, America increased the debt by 50% over 3 years to fund economic growth initiatives. It was a great solution by many measures, but it disproportionately benefited white citizens in segregated America.
1948 Marshall Plan
"New Deal" for Europe. America transferred $129B in 2020 dollars to help rebuild Europe. Meanwhile it ignored structural and legalized systems of oppression for its black citizens.
2020 Coronavirus Bailout
Paycheck Protection Plan: $669B (and counting) spun up in a matter of weeks to address the perils of Covid-19.
U.S. Aid: $40 Billion Budget
2020 budget: $40B. Since 1961 to spend on foreign causes, but we still haven't addressed root causes of racial inequities at home.
$50B U.S. Military Budget
Americans spend approximately $50 Billion in military support annually, but we have not spent to remedy economic injustices that are a threat to our national sustainability and peace at home.
Genocide Repair
America spent billions per year to help establish Israel after the holocaust, and created permanent trade preferences that eliminate all customs duties. But America still will not address the economic perils of African-American citizens, survivors of American slavery genocide. Helping survivors of genocide is the right thing to do, but we should be fair and consistent.
(Hover to Uncover)