Since the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile in July, there has been a shift in tone in the protests against police violence towards Black citizens. Amidst the rage, sadness and sense of haplessness, there also has emerged a renewed urgency to act, beyond marches and hashtags.

Killer Mike Says It’s Time To Take Down The System By Taking Our Money Out Of It (Video)

Two of the more high profile and impactful calls to action have come from two Mikes: Killer Mike and Michael Jordan. Over the last month, each man has taken steps to direct over a million dollars to institutions capable of effecting real change in the Black community. Days after the deaths of Castile and Sterling, Killer Mike delivered an impassioned speech urging all who were able to take their money out of financial institutions that are maintaining the status quo that has allowed the systemic killing of Blacks to continue, and re-invest that money in Black owned institutions that are allocating resources to help Black communities prosper. His efforts have led to more than 8,000 such accounts being opened.

Killer Mike Was Heard. The People Are Fighting The Power With Their Money.

Weeks later, Michael Jordan made the boldest political move in his lifetime as a public figure, as he issued a statement asserting “We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.” He combined those words with $1 million donations to each of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Institute for Community-Police Relations. Now, Killer Mike has challenged Jordan to go a step further, and he’s proposed another way in which the people can empower themselves.

Michael Jordan Has Made the Boldest Political Statement of His Career

Taking to Instagram yesterday, Mike Bigga thanked MJ for the statement he made with his words and his money. After doing so, however, Michael Render challenged Jordan to allocate the profits from his latest shoe release to a Black-owned bank. Rather than asking MJ to donate the proceeds, Render is continuing his “reclamation of wealth” theme based on capitalism, not charity.

Marc Lamont Hill Says The System Isn’t Broken. “It Works Exactly The Way It’s Supposed To.”

Mike does not stop with MJ. Much like Bernie Sanders, the Presidential candidate Render endorsed, Killer Mike is a staunch grassroots advocate. Rather than depending on the system to make changes for the people, he encourages the people to takes steps to change the system. In this instance, he outlines a way in which people can indulge their material desires AND empower themselves financially:

“Black People and Allies of black people instead of buying this or any shoe. (1) Start an account with a black bank or credit union. (2) Save 300 bucks and get a secured credit card (#citzenstrustbank has a good one). (3). Charge these or any shoe, pay your bill on time building your credit. This way u r fresh as u wanna be, saving your actual cash and building your credit score. That way these shoes are a tool for your empowerment and not something that chains you into poverty.”

Killer Mike closes with “I hope MJ and Us, Do The Right Thing!” The choice is ours.