White Philanthropy & Black Crabs in a Bucket Syndrome

Firstly, my argument is that racial capitalism is the foundation of the current global economic system we navigate, and members of the African Diaspora have historically been, and continue to be, treated as commodities. This framework seeks to illuminate the current state of white philanthropy within the African American community in central Iowa.

The plethora of nonprofit organizations inundating the 50314-zip code exemplifies this construct. This zip code, labeled as the neediest area in the state, sits in the heart of the capital city. Blacks represent 4% of the state population, and in Des Moines, they constitute 14.5%, totaling 30,629 individuals. Because of the influx of nonprofit organizations, the community remains underprivileged due to the lack of revenue-building businesses in this area.

However, this zip code once had the highest Black population in the city. My experience in the public sector has given me a unique perspective on the intense financial competition among these low-to-no-income organizations, which were established to address the needs of underserved communities. When various nonprofits seek funding, the “crabs in a bucket syndrome” mentality comes into play.

The animosity between these organizations is evident. Many Black nonprofit directors use their social presence as a stepping-stone to political office, becoming entangled in the complexities of white supremacy and racism.

Although many of these organizations may have been founded with noble intentions, the pursuit of funding often shifts their financial priorities, amplifying their greed. “Poverty pimps” is an appropriate term to describe leaders who match these criteria.

Just as many attorneys and law firms have been characterized as ambulance chasers, the same could be said about leadership in many Black nonprofit organizations.

To add insult to injury, some of the leadership and staff of these nonprofits rummage through perishable items donated to the public before issuing them to the populace. The marginalized population in this region of the city is familiar with the hand-me-down mentality that dictates how services and resources are distributed.

From turkey giveaways during the holidays to free gas, the poverty pimps in Des Moines are vying to be terminal flunkeys to the city’s major nonprofit organizations and foundations.

I question why these communities remain in desperate circumstances despite years of funding being funneled into many of these organizations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I read Maribel Morey’s manuscript, “White Philanthropy: Carnegie Corporation’s An American Dilemma and the Making of a White World Order.” Instantly, the veil of ignorance was lifted, and my understanding of this system became clear. Morey’s publication provides empirical evidence-based data and historical facts that support my supposition of “Black crabs in a bucket syndrome.”

Morey examines the historical and influential role of the Carnegie Corporation in funding social science research, with a particular focus on Gunnar Myrdal’s pivotal study, “An American Dilemma.” The book uncovers that this study, often regarded as a cornerstone of U.S. race relations, was commissioned to uphold white supremacy rather than to challenge it. Morey delves into the global origins of “An American Dilemma” and its ties to other Carnegie-funded initiatives, highlighting how these projects were designed to assist white policymakers in better managing Black populations.

The book offers a comprehensive account of how elite philanthropy has perpetuated white dominance and provides insights into the mechanisms that enable this. It is a thought-provoking work that illuminates the racialized foundations of elite U.S. institutions and their influence on race relations and power dynamics.

The purpose of this article is to inform the public of the truth. Those ensnared by this philanthropic behemoth will never disclose such information to the public. I was born to harass white racists and their obscene caricatures of the European oppressors. Unapologetically and with all humility.

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” – African Proverb.