WHO WE ARE
#racismstinks was created in response to the polarization of #BlackLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter, and #BlueLivesMatter. People joined these movements seeking empathy and unity, yet the country only became more divided.
We believe the real issue runs deeper—these movements took off because racism still exists. And racism stinks. Our mission is to bring healing through fun, family-friendly events hosted by police and community collaborators, building real relationships and real solutions.
We also believe in the silent majority—those who want unity—outnumber the loud voices fueling division. It’s time for us to speak up and come together. real not woke
ORGANIZATION HISTORY
During the height of the Ferguson unrest, our founder, a member of the African American Student Association at his community college, was flooded with unexpected questions from white classmates.
“Can I join? I’m not Black.”
“Am I allowed?”
“What will my family think?”
Curious, he asked an advisor, who was thrilled at the interest. His advisor stated that race wasn’t a requirement, just a commitment to the association’s mission. Some people visited, but in the end, none of them joined.
During the height of the Ferguson unrest, our founder, a member of the African American Student Association at his community college, was flooded with unexpected questions from white classmates.
“Can I join? I’m not Black.”
“Am I allowed?”
“What will my family think?”
Curious, he asked an advisor, who was thrilled at the interest. His advisor stated that race wasn’t a requirement, just a commitment to the association’s mission. Some people visited, but in the end, none of them joined.
MEMPHIS, TN
Later, on a class trip to Memphis, he visited the Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. There, he learned something that changed everything: Flipping through historical flashcards at the museum, he expected to see Black heroes. He did, but he was shocked to see white allies standing in solidarity alongside them. He had never heard these powerful stories of collaboration. White Allies sitting at dangerous lunch counters and marching for justice. White allies had risked and even lost their lives fighting for the freedoms they already had. This revelation touched and inspired him deeply.
At the Burkle Estate, a safe house for freedom seekers, he stood in a home owned by a White man who risked everything to help enslaved people escape. At that moment, he felt an undeniable purpose: “collaborative history” had to be shared, and action had to be taken to heal race relations today.
Later, on a class trip to Memphis, he visited the Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. There, he learned something that changed everything: Flipping through historical flashcards at the museum, he expected to see Black heroes. He did, but he was shocked to see white allies standing in solidarity alongside them. He had never heard these powerful stories of collaboration. White Allies sitting at dangerous lunch counters and marching for justice. White allies had risked and even lost their lives fighting for the freedoms they already had. This revelation touched and inspired him deeply.
At the Burkle Estate, a safe house for freedom seekers, he stood in a home owned by a White man who risked everything to help enslaved people escape. At that moment, he felt an undeniable purpose: “collaborative history” had to be shared, and action had to be taken to heal race relations today.
HOW THE NAME AND LOGO CAME ABOUT
With a new understanding of historical racial collaboration and a drive to make a difference, he set out to heal racism, a topic so charged that people either avoid it, grow tired of it, or approach it so aggressively that others instinctively shut down.
The phrase “lives matter” had become divisive. He wanted a movement where everyone felt welcome and no permission was needed to be part of the solution. The word racism had to stay front and center, but how could he introduce it in a way that invited, rather than repelled, conversation?
Then it hit him, animals! People love them, and they provide a neutral way to start difficult discussions. But which one? He considered how the United States’ history of racism is largely a Black and White issue, so black-and-white animals. First came the zebra, panda, penguin, and cow before landing on the skunk. Unlike the others, skunks are avoided—their defense mechanism stinks, just like racism.
By simply saying, “Racism Stinks,” the message was clear: We’re against racism, not any particular group. And with that, the #racismstinks movement was born.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We believe real change comes from real conversations—not performative activism. “REAL NOT WOKE,” That means respectfully engaging with people with differing views across racial lines to tear down walls and build real connections.
Racism affects everyone—some directly, others indirectly. When hate thrives, we all lose. We miss out on the richness that our multicultural cultures can bring to our lives.
Our class trip to Memphis made one thing clear: It takes us all. Allies are imperative. Collaboration is imperative. And when we come together with open minds and a shared purpose—Together, we will change the world.
