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The other night I got super high and came up with a straightforward and effective way that white resourced people could pay reparations and redistribute the wealth to Black and Indigenous individuals in this country.
And then I sobered up and saw my error.
My idea worked under the assumption that those who hold the majority of stolen wealth in this country actually give a damn about other people. But the harsh reality is, that’s just not true.
I’ve lived in poverty my entire life, I know how this country moves. I’ve seen how invested they are in their own individual comfort.
Please don’t misunderstand, there are those who sincerely want to take action to repair the financial harm caused by their ancestors. But the ones who do care often don’t know where to start. However, for the most part, nah.
As the opening quote says “if you’re sitting on resources that people need, you’re not serving anyone.”
And yet, who says they ever intended to serve anyone?
The way people in this society continue to blame me for my trash ass financial situation while refusing to acknowledge that systemic oppression exists or that poverty was purposely manufactured breaks my brain.
As for me, I don’t have much hope left.
I is tired.
I’ve been screaming for help my entire life and, it’s just not there.
I’ve seen too many Black women (hi mom) with my exact story not survive. Why would I be any different?
But fuck that. As long as I’m here, I’ll continue to scream. And not just for myself, but for every human exploited, abused and discarded by this violent capitalist society.
My call to action: please take 25 minutes to listen to this NPR podcast about a community that created a DIY reparations experiment in their town.
After you listen, if you’re comfortably resourced, take an impactful action.
Maybe you can’t start your own reparations experiment but, what can you do? Quit focusing on your limitations. Get creative. Try shit. If it doesn’t work, try another idea.
There are people like me whose lives depend on it.
Please understand that regardless of your financial status, our collective survival is dependent upon each other.
I’m trying my damndest to make my way out of poverty with my writing but as I shared, I’m worn thin. If you feel called to invest in my own wellness, I welcome it.
Upgrading to a paid subscription or sending community care to the payment handles listed in my bio are appreciated.
I refuse to allow this society to shame me out of advocating for my own survival.
If I make it out of this, I’ll pay it forward.
Ask for help if you need it. Help folks if you can.
This ain’t gotta be hard.
#PovertySucks
Just upgraded. No reply needed, just in hope you get some rest.
"My idea worked under the assumption that those who hold the majority of stolen wealth in this country actually give a damn about other people. But the harsh reality is, that’s just not true." THIS.
Yup. You are so right that poverty is MANUFACTURED.
My parents bought a house in 1970 in NY for $30K when my dad made $18K/Year without a college degree. But I have a graduate degree, a nice house in my neighborhood costs on average $350K, and I am CERTAINLY not making the equivalent of $210K/year. And this is just ONE example. The rich keep on taking and the poor keep getting more poor. WTF do they want people to do??? It doesn't matter HOW hard you work, because they keep moving the goal posts.
But, I am a part of Albuquerque SURJ (Standing up for Racial Justice) that organized for Native Land Tax...so that is a start, but shit...sometimes I just want to shoot bloody paint balls at all the asshole politicians, then throw them in the lion enclosure at the zoo. This would be a good place to start for reparations. But no - they set it up so that racism continues because they make it non-white people's fault that middle-class white people are also diving into poverty, when it's THEIR DAMN FAULT EVERYONE CAN'T AFFORD GROCERIES ANYMORE.
But I'm sure you don't need me to rant, because you got the market on that. I'll watch the You Tube and let you know if I have any ideas besides poisoning their soup. :)