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The idea that the very act of supporting historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) is racist is flawed based on the definition of racism itself: the belief by one racial group in their superiority over other racial groups. The better question would have been if such support smacked of racial inequality or bias. But let's not split hairs. Instead, let's start by looking at the definition of a HUB.

Traditionally, a HUB is a for-profit business that is owned and operated by a female and/or a person of color who are economically disadvantaged and who have been historically underutilized because of their identification as members of these groups.

Suggesting that supporting HUBs is somehow inherently racist automatically assumes that the intent behind the support is racist. However, the same can be said about non-support of a HUB which might be considered equally racist if the non-supporting reason is based on discriminatory rationale. What this ultimately culminates in is the old "damned if you do, damned if you don't" quagmire.

The central issue is not the act of support or non-support, but the intent or purpose behind that support. We cannot assume that an individual, a group or a governmental agency is automatically acting in a racist fashion merely because of their actions toward a HUB. Likewise, we cannot assume that in offering support to HUBs that non-HUBs are not being offered similar support.

It's like handicap in golf or bowling. When you have a group of players (businesses) with differing skill levels (opportunities), the intent is to try and level the playing field thereby giving all participants an equal chance to win. The assumption that opportunities are being awarded when they weren't earned is absurd. HUBs still have to provide quality products and services at a competitive price or they risk losing any opportunities they have gained.

Because racism has such a negative connotation whereas providing support to a HUB echoes of humanism, it's difficult to understand how anyone can interpret this widening the door of opportunity to include a broader audience as racist. However, dissenters run in fear believing any time one group receives assistance another group loses ground.

Truth is: there are a lot of different people in this country running a lot of different businesses and to not invite them all to the negotiation table is to overlook opportunity. Support does not equate with an absolute guarantee. It merely means inclusionism, not exclusionism, which would be the real act of racism.

Learn more about this author, Deborah S. Hildebrand.
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