A gesture of the times: whites randomly giving money to black people

Gary Trowel was taking part in a Black Lives Matter protest pushing for an arrest in the Breonna Taylor case when an older white man walked up and handed him cash. The 23-year-old cafeteria worker was holding one fist in the air when the exchange took him by surprise.

“At first, I was like: ‘Wait, what is this man doing?’ ” Trowel said. The man smiled as he gave Trowel three dollar bills before walking away. “It felt good at first. Then, I was like, is this supposed to be for reparations?’ ”

As demonstrations over killings of unarmed black people by police persist across the globe, presumably well-intentioned white allies are giving money and other gifts to black people in a show of solidarity.

Some say they’ve received payments out of the blue via money payment apps from white people they barely know. Others say white people have shown support by offering free services or giving words of encouragement when leaving a tip.

Recent recipients of cash from white people have mixed feelings about the gesture. Experts on race relations say the money is better spent elsewhere to help the cause.

It’s common to express condolences through gifts during times of mourning, and showering black people with cash in the wake of high profile police killings is likely an extension of that, said Rashawn Ray, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland and fellow at think-tank the Brookings

Institution. He also leads diversity training for companies and police departments.

“White people are recognizing that when a black person dies due to police violence, it sends a current throughout the black community,” Ray said. “White people are trying to figure out what to do during these times. And sending money is one of the things they’re doing.”

While many people appreciate the gifts, receiving money out of the blue can be awkward. Especially if it’s from someone outside your immediate circle of family and friends.

Joanna Powell was shocked when she recently received $25 via Cash App from someone she hadn’t spoken to in months.

“Enjoy,” the message alongside the cash notification said. She was perplexed. But after texting back and forth with the sender, she saw it as an odd way of showing support for the movement.

“I told him you didn’t have to do that. He is someone who wants to be progressive, but I didn’t really like it,” Powell said. “Sending me $25 isn’t really going to change anything that’s going on and I didn’t really need it.”

White people might be showing solidarity in other ways, too.

Edriana Clyde, 24, took her car in for an oil change that was supposed to cost $40. Instead, the white mechanic did the job free of charge. “He told me that he studied something relating to race in college,” Clyde said.

“Then he said: ‘You don’t have to pay anything’ and I couldn’t help but think it had something to do with the times we’re living in.’ ”