Poor People PSA

Shares Don't Always Equal Support

When you see folks crowdfunding for help with basic needs or emergencies, please understand that regardless of how many “likes” or shares we receive, we rarely receive the full support we need.

A few months back, I had a week where my 5 crowdfunding posts had a combined 1,000+ likes.

Donations received: 5

Total: $142

If everyone that had reacted to a post had contributed $5, I could have sat my Black ass down and actually rested for a month.

This isn’t about money. Wait. It is, but it’s deeper than that.

-This is about collective community care.
-This is about seeing a plea for support and not assuming a person has received what they need simply because the post has a lot of engagement.
-This is about doing what you can, whatever that may be.

One time I saw a woman crowdfunding $20 for dinner. The post had close to 100 likes and shares. I assumed her need had been met and continued to scroll. A few hours later I saw an update from her.

“Please can anyone help? I haven’t eaten in a couple of days and I just need a meal.”

Richest country in the world? This place is sick.

As for me, I support a handful of Substacks and when I have it, I send folks $10 because I know that collectively it makes an impact.

Most people know how (temporarily) poor I am. If I can do it, then I bet many of you can as well. For those of you that can’t, trust me - I feel you. I understand there are times when we don’t even have change to spare. Man listen, I’m there now.

Poverty is a systemic issue. With that said, we have start to repair it at the community level by extending deep care to each other.

Assume less. Contribute more.

It truly does make a difference.

Liberation to all who are oppressed.

#PovertySucks #MutualAid #CommunityCare