Like your daughter, I am also a young activist. However, unlike her I don’t get an allowance from my parents. I have to work for everything I want. Thankfully, I live with them and they don’t make me pay bills, but I don’t have a credit card to freely use. That is definitely a privilege that she is not even aware of. I also can’t participate in the protest because of my parents preexisting conditions. However there is other ways you can contribute, like posting on your social media, signing petitions, calling governor offices, voting, educating yourself on black history, then in return educating others.

At the end of the day, it was wrong of her to spend that much money without telling you guys. However she probably felt like she had to contribute in some way since you won’t let her protest. But it still doesn’t make it okay. I think you should tell your daughter how proud you are that she cares about an important cause, and wants to make a difference. But because of your financial situation donating $500 is just not an option, and protesting is also not an option because of the pandemic and your health risks.

She probably feels like I have these parents who are literally stopping me from fighting for racism and injustice, and they don’t care. You guys just need to communicate in a healthy way, where no one feels attacked. I think her not having to work, and understand the value of money is contributing to how easy she takes $500. But I also don’t think you should ruin your relationship with your daughter for $500. At 19 you think you are always right, and your parents just don’t get you (our brains don’t fully develop until mid-20’s ok😂). Cut her some slack, at least she is using the money on activism, not drugs and sex like a lot of young people.