BlackLivesMatters co-founder Patrisse Cullors looks to be sweating big time now that the IRS is demanding some accountability as to what she has done with donor money. The Marxist explained in an interview that the situation was ‘not safe’ and that it was all very ‘triggering’. Cullors, who is a millionaire, claims she didn’t know anything about being accountable for the nonprofits itemized spending.
“It is such a trip now to hear the term ‘990,'” Patrisse Cullors said at a speaking engagement in Washington state, referring to the IRS form that discloses charities’ finances. “I’m, like, ugh. It’s, like, triggering.” Cullors, who purchased millions of dollars’ worth in real estate from her perch as BLM’s executive director, also said that she “did not know what 990s were” until recently and felt “deeply unsafe” having to fill one out for the nonprofit.
She then played the victim card, like everyone doesn’t have to pay taxes—Give me a break! “This doesn’t seem safe for us,” she later added. “This 990 structure — this nonprofit system structure. This is, like, deeply unsafe. This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with.”
Last week BLM was grilled for purchasing multi-million dollar mansions to house leaders. Without saying it, they tried to claim that the reporting was ‘off’. “There have been a lot of questions surrounding recent reports about the purchase of Creator’s House in California,” acknowledged Black Lives Matter in its response.
“We also recognize the confusion recent inflammatory and speculative articles have caused,” continued the organization. “We are redoubling our efforts to provide clarity about BLMGNF’s work. In the coming weeks, we will unveil new initiatives to increase transparency and accountability, and to continue reshaping what radical philanthropy looks like for Black people.”
Cullors: "It is such a trip now to hear the term '[IRS Form] 990.' I'm, like, ugh. It's, like, triggering." pic.twitter.com/AjIPt9breD
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) April 13, 2022
The thread went on to explain that the “Creator’s House” was acquired so as to “provide a space for Black folks to share their gifts with the world and hone their craft as they see fit, under the conditions that work best for them and outside systems of oppression in creative industries.”
Black Lives Matter also touted its donations to humanitarian causes, including to the Covid-19 Survival Fund for families, as well as “Black-led frontline orgs around the world.”
If everything is on the up-and-up, what is she so worried about?
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.