Op-Ed’s Call for Greater Inclusivity in Philanthropy Is Spot On

To the Editor:

Brad Clark’s op-ed — “I am a Gay Man and Foundation Chief. Here’s How I Find Unlikely Allies” (June 3) — struck a deep chord with me. His message about seeing people as neighbors rather than opponents is both timely and true.

After two decades of work in HIV advocacy and public health, I’ve learned that progress rarely starts in perfect rooms with perfect people. I’ve seen people who adamantly disagree refuse to walk away. They succeed because they stay in the room and don’t treat those with different views as enemies.

Visionary street artist and AIDS activist Keith Haring knew this, too. He drew in subways, on sidewalks, and on hospital walls, not to impress elites but to reach people where they lived. His art wasn’t exclusionary but made people of all stripes feel seen — a strategy that should be adopted throughout the philanthropy world.

I try to approach my work with nonprofits, foundations, and policymakers by assuming there are perspectives I don’t yet fully understand. Everyone has different histories, beliefs, and wounds. But one thing is true: All people deserve dignity. That’s why Clark’s suggestion to “meet people where they are” and not “berate them for responding the ‘wrong way’ ” is spot on.

Philanthropy should start there. If we all recognize everyone’s shared humanity, we might finally find common ground.

Jirair Ratevosian
Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Associate Research Scientist, Yale University