Something that I've had in the works for quite some time is figuring out how we can see more of each other. By "see more of each other" I mean, I share what I'm passionate about and well versed in, namely, facilitating social change through education that is radically womanist, intersectionally feminist, and anti-global white supremacist in nature. I've wanted the interactions to be meaningful and valuable. I wanted them to be edifying for you, but I didn't want them to deplete me. I struggled with how to make this possible.
Finally, after much consideration and brainstorming lots of ideas, I decided to create a subscription service through Patreon (which houses a ton of subscription programs from many amazing makers, educators, and creatives). Thanks to Patreon's internet magic, you can get a monthly dose of yours truly for as little as $5. At the moment, subscription tiers are available for up to a nominal cost of $25 and give you access to reading lists, my essays, and lectures. In case you weren't already well aware, I'm pretty colorful, so these are anything but your typical, tedious, dry readings and talks. I like to laugh, I've been told I have good taste, and I'm quite the smart ass. You and I are gonna get along, fine.
More content and benefits are soon to come and that will mean more levels at which to subscribe in the coming months, so stay tuned! If you're on a tight budget and can't subscribe but would like to support the important work that I'm doing to facilitate social change, create tools to disrupt and dismantle systems of oppression, and teach liberation through common sense and ethics, then you can subscribe at a $1 level or simply send any one time contribution in the amount that you choose to paypal.me/BlakBirdPublishing. All contributions no matter how lavish or modest are always greatly appreciated and simply ensure that I, a black woman, am not constantly producing knowledge and art from which others are benefiting and ultimately laboring for free. The more that I am able to be supported in my work with more than just applause and kind words (which are welcomed and valued), the more work I am able to produce. Issa win-win, friends.
If a radical womanist, intersectional feminist, anti-global white supremacist, sociological, critical race theorist subscription is not your jam, per se and you're not in the position to just throw money at me because you think I'm great, you can always purchase one, a couple, or all of my books. They make great gifts for yourself or someone you don't hate, all year long. Actually, they're perfect for people you hate, too.
I think that ultimately, the takeaways for this particular entry are:
(1) Don't have black women and other marginalized people laboring for free. It's not right. Even if they love the work they're committed to doing, it is not equitable to benefit from it without some form of compensation, because it does cost them something, whether it be time, money for materials, physical exertion, sleep, attention diverted away from other endeavors and relationships, and energy in general to provide, produce, and create. My lived experience was hard earned. My formal education is something that I'll be paying lots of real American dollars for for for many, many years. None of what I possess and feel compelled to share is actually free, so let's value it in a way that doesn't foster feelings of exploitation and allows me to keep sharing it.
(2) Put your money where your heart is. As always, I want to encourage you to invest in the things that nurture you and those around you and to strive to make your bank statement a reflection of your values and priorities. If you don't provide financial backing for the things you say that we individually and collectively need, then it won't exist.
This is important. May we all prosper.
