10 ms·

Amazon suspends Black Lives Matter from its charity platform

82 points by raziel414 5y ago

ehtlhkljk 5y ago
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
encryptluks2 5y ago
Makes sense, although there are lot of other "charities" that I'm pretty sure have no accountability. I'm guessing this one got removed cause it is under the most scrutiny by the public.
- chiefalchemist 5y ago
  I would imagine the Amazon process is fairly automated so there's no scrutiny, bias, etc. Fact is, NPOs have certain legal/tax. requirements so the data in question shouldn't be a problem, unless it is. Maybe there's a good reason for the disconnect, but two yrs running is not a good sign.
- mywittyname 5y ago
  Or, it's because the IRS revoked their tax exempt status. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=473691474&name=BLACK%20LIVES%20MATTER%20&city=N%20CHARLESTON&state=SC&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=REVOCATION&orgTags=REVOCATION https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=473691474&name=... Amazon doesn't really get a choice in the matter here.
  - TheodolphusRose 5y ago
    That's a different and completely unrelated [1] organization that happens to have a similar name (Black Lives Matter Foundation vs Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation). [1] https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/black-lives-matter-foundation-unrelated-blm-donations https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/black-lives-mat...
    - encryptluks2 5y ago
      Yeah, it seems here that people are just getting confused about which organization is actually in charge due to two different organizations registering very similar names. I wonder if they trademarked the brand Black Lives Matter, and if so if they attempted to enforce it to prevent something like this from happening, or if they are in fact affiliated with each other.
      - cudgy 5y ago
        Maybe there should be a BLM ETF with all the organizations in one bucket? Then you can spread out your risk in case one of them actually intends to be legitimate. Excuse the sarcasm. Corporations are more concerned about the signal donating money sends than the actual effectiveness of the receiving organization. Did Amazon independently donate any money to this organization?
    - lupire 5y ago
      BLMF was a single person running a small scam. BLMGN was a small group running a big scam. It was mostly a sink for corporate "blackwashing" PR spend, as megacorps rushed to fake "doing something woke" in 2020. Both hijacked the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter for profit.
rvz 5y ago
Exactly. I don't know why everyone including the big tech companies fell for the BLM grift so that they could scam their 'supporters' into taking the money and now running off with their donations which was used to buy properties, mansions, etc. How could they be so gullible?
- thorncorona 5y ago
  A lot of people who could have raised this issue were shouted at for being racist, anti-black, etc. no matter if their concerns were valid. https://twitter.com/Sean_Kev/status/1488195035418013701 https://twitter.com/Sean_Kev/status/1488195035418013701
  - cwkoss 5y ago
    Sean Kevin Campbell's article was some great investigative journalism. Highly recommend reading to anyone interested in deeper knowledge about this controversy. I've seen several pundits (on "both" sides) regurgitate his work inaccurately, so think reading his article directly is important. (article linked in that tweet) https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/01/black-lives-matter-finances.html https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/01/black-lives-matter-f...
    - Jiro 5y ago
      Sean Campbell is black. That doesn't stop you from being called a racist for criticizing BLM; but it certainly helps.
- bombcar 5y ago
  Because they had a problem and they wanted a solution. It's basically "blackwashing" and BLMGNF (good night funds?) was there to "sell" them the solution to a problem they were facing. There's basically zero desire to actually really work on any problem that isn't related to their stock portfolio, so they jump at it and post some PR and then they're done. Happens time and time again, more or less legit depending. Look up donations to environmental groups whilst the business doesn't change much if anything about what they do.
quinnjh 5y ago
I live in portland and amazon suggested that i buy clippers, laser pointers, and balaclavas during the riots. Also made their banner says BLM for two or so weeks
HWR_14 5y ago
The BLM movement and the BLM organization are different. Much the same way that Americans will all claim to be democrats but less than half will claim to be Democrats.
- syshum 5y ago
  - joebob42 5y ago
    I think in this instance "democrat" is being used to mean "supporter of democracy". I don't think you aren't an American if you aren't a supporter of democracy, per se, but I do think the principle is a fairly core tenet of what it is, or at least is supposed to be, to be "American". I would be unsurprised if other people said you were un-American for feeling this way.
    - syshum 5y ago
      Sorry no, democracy is not a core tenant of America... Core tenant's of America's founding where Individual rights and self governance. The Founders took great pains to LIMIT the amount of democracy in our system, because they understood the problems with democracy. The house of Representatives was the only democratically elected part of the government for a reason. We ignored them at our own peril..
      - Traster 5y ago
        Yes, a core tenet of the USA was to limit how much democracy black people, poor people and women could have. It's much worse now.... apparently.
        syshum 5y ago
        5y ago
badRNG 5y ago
I can't help but feel like non-profits who name themselves after decentralized movements are often a grift. They count on people not knowing the difference and giving them money to support a cause they may or may not actually contribute to. I should point out that this isn't universally true, the woman who set up the initial "Woman's March" event on Facebook, Teresa Shook, founded an organization of the same name, so there is some legitimacy to that org's claim there.
alpha_squared 5y ago
Important to note that this is the BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF), which is not the same as the grassroots, decentralized BLM movement that happened nationally. If I recall correctly, BLMGNF was formed by a couple folks in Los Angeles to give a formal organization the authority and organizational weight of what the BLM movement was about. The BLM movement, being decentralized and leaderless at the national level, mostly rejected BLMGNF speaking for them and being recognized as the organization of the movement, but BLMGNF moved forward with claiming national leadership regardless.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- smegsicle 5y ago
  If they're not 'the real blm' then where is the funding from? I don't heard of donators complaining to have been defrauded, only claims that it's racist to criticize blm for actions by the organization with all the money..
  - TMWNN 5y ago
    Indeed. Every single time there's some alleged BLM scandal (and there seems to be many), there is someone who assures us that it's not the "real" BLM, but the "national organization"/"local organization"/"someone using the BLM name". It's "fake" BLMs all the way down, seemingly.
    - david38 5y ago
      Plausible deniability all the way around, at least for scandals like spending millions on homes. For any good press, plenty of people stepping forward for credit.
ms512 5y ago
tl;dr: BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) hasn't disclosed where donations have been going and is out of compliance with various state's rules for non-profits. Amazon suspended donations to BLMGNF until the compliance issue is resolved.
akomtu 5y ago
I feel like the corps are rapidly cutting ties with BLM after the Kentucky event: no business wants to be dragged into the upcoming investigation as a financisl donor to the org.
tentacleuno 5y ago
So, I figure I may as well ask what blacklivesmatter.com[0] is? I was wondering if that website was anything to do with this scam organisation, but came away even more confused. They don't have a mailing address, any organisation (e.g. Black Lives Matter Foundation) naming / references on the website, or... anything, really. Where does the money go from this website? Does it go to a grassroots organisation, or are these another group of bandits? I would be curious to know more. [0]: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ https://blacklivesmatter.com/
SecurityMinded 5y ago

82 points by raziel414 5y ago

ehtlhkljk 5y ago

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

encryptluks2 5y ago

Makes sense, although there are lot of other "charities" that I'm pretty sure have no accountability. I'm guessing this one got removed cause it is under the most scrutiny by the public.

chiefalchemist 5y ago
I would imagine the Amazon process is fairly automated so there's no scrutiny, bias, etc. Fact is, NPOs have certain legal/tax. requirements so the data in question shouldn't be a problem, unless it is. Maybe there's a good reason for the disconnect, but two yrs running is not a good sign.
mywittyname 5y ago
Or, it's because the IRS revoked their tax exempt status. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=473691474&name=BLACK%20LIVES%20MATTER%20&city=N%20CHARLESTON&state=SC&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=REVOCATION&orgTags=REVOCATION https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=473691474&name=... Amazon doesn't really get a choice in the matter here.
- TheodolphusRose 5y ago
  That's a different and completely unrelated [1] organization that happens to have a similar name (Black Lives Matter Foundation vs Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation). [1] https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/black-lives-matter-foundation-unrelated-blm-donations https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/black-lives-mat...
  - encryptluks2 5y ago
    Yeah, it seems here that people are just getting confused about which organization is actually in charge due to two different organizations registering very similar names. I wonder if they trademarked the brand Black Lives Matter, and if so if they attempted to enforce it to prevent something like this from happening, or if they are in fact affiliated with each other.
    - cudgy 5y ago
      Maybe there should be a BLM ETF with all the organizations in one bucket? Then you can spread out your risk in case one of them actually intends to be legitimate. Excuse the sarcasm. Corporations are more concerned about the signal donating money sends than the actual effectiveness of the receiving organization. Did Amazon independently donate any money to this organization?
  - lupire 5y ago
    BLMF was a single person running a small scam. BLMGN was a small group running a big scam. It was mostly a sink for corporate "blackwashing" PR spend, as megacorps rushed to fake "doing something woke" in 2020. Both hijacked the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter for profit.

rvz 5y ago

Exactly. I don't know why everyone including the big tech companies fell for the BLM grift so that they could scam their 'supporters' into taking the money and now running off with their donations which was used to buy properties, mansions, etc. How could they be so gullible?

thorncorona 5y ago
A lot of people who could have raised this issue were shouted at for being racist, anti-black, etc. no matter if their concerns were valid. https://twitter.com/Sean_Kev/status/1488195035418013701 https://twitter.com/Sean_Kev/status/1488195035418013701
- cwkoss 5y ago
  Sean Kevin Campbell's article was some great investigative journalism. Highly recommend reading to anyone interested in deeper knowledge about this controversy. I've seen several pundits (on "both" sides) regurgitate his work inaccurately, so think reading his article directly is important. (article linked in that tweet) https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/01/black-lives-matter-finances.html https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/01/black-lives-matter-f...
  - Jiro 5y ago
    Sean Campbell is black. That doesn't stop you from being called a racist for criticizing BLM; but it certainly helps.
bombcar 5y ago
Because they had a problem and they wanted a solution. It's basically "blackwashing" and BLMGNF (good night funds?) was there to "sell" them the solution to a problem they were facing. There's basically zero desire to actually really work on any problem that isn't related to their stock portfolio, so they jump at it and post some PR and then they're done. Happens time and time again, more or less legit depending. Look up donations to environmental groups whilst the business doesn't change much if anything about what they do.

quinnjh 5y ago

I live in portland and amazon suggested that i buy clippers, laser pointers, and balaclavas during the riots. Also made their banner says BLM for two or so weeks

HWR_14 5y ago

The BLM movement and the BLM organization are different. Much the same way that Americans will all claim to be democrats but less than half will claim to be Democrats.

syshum 5y ago
- joebob42 5y ago
  I think in this instance "democrat" is being used to mean "supporter of democracy". I don't think you aren't an American if you aren't a supporter of democracy, per se, but I do think the principle is a fairly core tenet of what it is, or at least is supposed to be, to be "American". I would be unsurprised if other people said you were un-American for feeling this way.
  - syshum 5y ago
    Sorry no, democracy is not a core tenant of America... Core tenant's of America's founding where Individual rights and self governance. The Founders took great pains to LIMIT the amount of democracy in our system, because they understood the problems with democracy. The house of Representatives was the only democratically elected part of the government for a reason. We ignored them at our own peril..
    - Traster 5y ago
      Yes, a core tenet of the USA was to limit how much democracy black people, poor people and women could have. It's much worse now.... apparently.
      - syshum 5y ago
        5y ago

badRNG 5y ago

I can't help but feel like non-profits who name themselves after decentralized movements are often a grift. They count on people not knowing the difference and giving them money to support a cause they may or may not actually contribute to. I should point out that this isn't universally true, the woman who set up the initial "Woman's March" event on Facebook, Teresa Shook, founded an organization of the same name, so there is some legitimacy to that org's claim there.

alpha_squared 5y ago

Important to note that this is the BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF), which is not the same as the grassroots, decentralized BLM movement that happened nationally. If I recall correctly, BLMGNF was formed by a couple folks in Los Angeles to give a formal organization the authority and organizational weight of what the BLM movement was about. The BLM movement, being decentralized and leaderless at the national level, mostly rejected BLMGNF speaking for them and being recognized as the organization of the movement, but BLMGNF moved forward with claiming national leadership regardless.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
smegsicle 5y ago
If they're not 'the real blm' then where is the funding from? I don't heard of donators complaining to have been defrauded, only claims that it's racist to criticize blm for actions by the organization with all the money..
- TMWNN 5y ago
  Indeed. Every single time there's some alleged BLM scandal (and there seems to be many), there is someone who assures us that it's not the "real" BLM, but the "national organization"/"local organization"/"someone using the BLM name". It's "fake" BLMs all the way down, seemingly.
  - david38 5y ago
    Plausible deniability all the way around, at least for scandals like spending millions on homes. For any good press, plenty of people stepping forward for credit.

ms512 5y ago

tl;dr: BLM Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) hasn't disclosed where donations have been going and is out of compliance with various state's rules for non-profits. Amazon suspended donations to BLMGNF until the compliance issue is resolved.

akomtu 5y ago

I feel like the corps are rapidly cutting ties with BLM after the Kentucky event: no business wants to be dragged into the upcoming investigation as a financisl donor to the org.

tentacleuno 5y ago

So, I figure I may as well ask what blacklivesmatter.com[0] is? I was wondering if that website was anything to do with this scam organisation, but came away even more confused. They don't have a mailing address, any organisation (e.g. Black Lives Matter Foundation) naming / references on the website, or... anything, really. Where does the money go from this website? Does it go to a grassroots organisation, or are these another group of bandits? I would be curious to know more. [0]: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ https://blacklivesmatter.com/

SecurityMinded 5y ago