Are You Black-Friendly?

You are? Then put it in your Craiglist housing ads, and on your shop windows while you’re at it. Just don’t be a poser.

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels, Adapted by Author on Canva

Heat, internet, water included. We are queer-friendly. This is what I read as I scoured the Craigslist housing section. I’ve seen this declaration many times, and I like it, even though it gives me some questions about other things, like race, for example.

My mind began to wander, and I started to think, “Have I ever seen a sign or an ad on Craigslist that ended with, ‘We are black-friendly’ or ‘We are POC-friendly?’” Not surprisingly, I have not.

I like that people feel they can declare their queer friendliness. Sometimes I read it as the person who posted the ad is queer, and sometimes that they are not queer, but are allies. I remember thinking, what would happen if I did see an ad that said, “black-friendly” or “POC-friendly?” Would I be suspicious, or would it fill me with ease? Digging slightly below the surface, my foot lands in the knowledge that most people simply aren’t’ POC or black-friendly, so clearly they won’t declare it to be true.

If you put black or POC-friendly in your tagline, that would mean you want black or POC in your home or your establishment. Like, you enjoy and invite having black or POC people around…