“Excuse me, your honor. I’m not trying to be racist, okay. It’s a Black thing.

–John Floyd
–Father of Fani Willis, District Attorney
–regarding keeping a stack of cash

Yesterday’s testimony by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was fascinating for more than its Jerry Springer-like qualities, Fani Willis’s, at times, child-like patois and her dress on backwards. It confused me when she talked about keeping cash at home in a safe place and making sure you have plenty of cash on dates.

I learned hiding cash was a Black thing. I thought it was an “everybody” thing. According to the Daily Beast:

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ father testified Friday that there was nothing strange about his daughter keeping cash on hand and using it to pay back special prosecutor Nathan Wade for their vacations.

“I‘m not trying to be racist, but it‘s a black thing,” John Floyd said during a hearing that will determine if Willis’ should be disqualified from prosecuting Donald Trump and his associates.

“I was trained, and most black folks, they hide cash or they keep cash, and I was trained you always keep some cash,” he added. “I gave my daughter her first cash box and told her, ‘Always keep some cash.’”

Coulda fooled me. I thought everyone did it.

For instance, I always knew my paternal grandparents, Depression babies, had coffee cans of coins stacked around the house. Probably $1000.00+ total. I knew that there was cash folded in sheets in a drawer. I had no idea it was about $30,000. My Mother and Aunts added it up after my Memo, my Dad’s Mom, died of a massive heart attack. There was money in the bank, but you can’t trust bankers or the government. Memo also kept a roll of money in her purse in case of emergency. Folks from Hazard, Kentucky had a mistrust of anyone outside the family.

My husband’s Dad and Grandfather were the same way both R.D. and William Walter were known to keep a roll of cash in their blue jeans. No banks. Real Estate and cash. Cosby, Tennessee thinking.

I mean what he’s saying isn’t wrong but he is wrong in saying “I’m not trying to be racist” it’s not a racist statement or answer he gave there at all. A few of my black friends only like having cash and don’t trust banks at all and honestly, they aren’t wrong!

— Denver Mackintosh (@Matt_mack6) February 16, 2024

What if, hear me out, what if hiding money is not a Black thing? What if it is a cultural thing born of time and place? Appalachians are not known for trusting banks, or bankers, or anyone representing the government. Based on experience. Black folk have a similar experience, but I guarantee that there are Italian and Irish immigrants from back in the day who feel the same. Korean, Japanese and Chinese immigrants have historically had tenuous relationships with the government. I bet they all keep a stash of cash at home.

I was taught in school to have a backup of six months of bill money. Not in my linen drawer, but in a safe or savings and loan.

Fani Willis claims it’s completely normal to keep large stashes of cash hidden in your house:

“When you meet my father, he's going to tell you as a woman, you should have at least six months in cash at your house at all times.”pic.twitter.com/FxiZZKvoNS

— Proud Elephant (@ProudElephantUS) February 15, 2024

Before I went on my first date, my Marine Dad told me to always have my own money on a date. Never be at anyone else’s mercy.

These are not Black things. Never trust the government. Always have back up money. Be able to take care of yourself in any situation. I will bet a lot of French people of any race feel the same way.

Featured Image: Schuylertowne/flickr.com/cropped/Creative Commons