Juneteenth Should Remind You To Financially Support Black Business
“It’s not exposure, it’s another word that starts with “e”. Exploitation. ”
-Monique Melton @moemotivate
During the very rare periods of time when the spotlight is on Juneteenth, black people, and black businesses, it amazes me that I’m still getting folks coming to me looking for free work. I get pitched by brands all the time and often when we reply asking about their budget to work with me, they respond as though they’re offended that I dare expect to be paid for my labor.
THIS IS RACIST and NEEDS TO STOP!
Not having a budget to pay me is not any of my business. White folks, the audacity to approach a black person and ask them to labor for you for free and to get mad and offended when we refuse is another example of the long legacy of violence that you continue to uphold. If you don’t have the budget to pay us or to pay us our rate then don’t attempt to make that our problem. The manipulation is abusive. The way y’all gatekeep and attempt to dangle “opportunities” in our face is exploitative and is another way that you weaponize whiteness. Because you know we’re being significantly denied access and opportunities so you attempt to exploit our desires to advance by offering us little or nothing because you think we gladly accept it.
YOU’RE REINFORCING the SCARCITY AND WEAPONIZING IT AGAINST US. STOP THIS!
It’s actually really discouraging and maddening to constantly be approached with “opportunities” that have either no budget or too low of a budget. It sends the message that my work is only valuable if I’m offering it for free or discounted. It sends the message that people are only willing to work with me if they can do it for cheap. And while I know these things aren’t true, it still bothers me that folks continue to treat us like this. Sure, I can say “no” because I’m in a position where I can pass on trash offers, but that’s not the case for many of us and this abuse needs to stop.
Because this isn’t just about me. This is much bigger than me. I know for sure I’m not the only one who has folks expecting us to be happy to work for free. The “slap happy enslaved person” trope continues to be perpetrated when folks expect us to be happy about the exploitation and to be grateful for the opportunity to work for free. But enslaved persons were never happy about exploitation & this trope was beyond racist & violent then & now.
And even though I can pass on these offers it doesn’t mean I want someone else to accept them, because I want better for all of us. I’m always gonna make sure I’m working to improve things for all of us, it’s never just about me and mine. This is the abundance I speak of. This is why I go so hard in this work because we deserve better. So if you’re considering working with a black person to promote your product, speak at your event, consult for your organization, or whatever, make sure you double the offer before you even send the email. Cus y’all owe us anyway.
COMMIT TO Black LIBERATION, NOW.
Folks think successful black folks are successful because it’s evidence of the systems changing and progress. And while black folks continue to progress and prevail, it’s not because the systems and structures are changing to benefit us. No. We are the exceptions, not the rule and even in our success, we will continue to deal with racism at every level. It never ends and it’s so exhausting. One of the reasons I am expanding the conversation beyond anti-racism is because I want to give myself the space and room to explore other things I’m interested in. And I want a break from constantly teaching about racism because it’s weathering and often triggering.
But for a minute i convinced myself that as I expand in different things and new industries it would be better this time. I was hoping that all this work would mean that things would be a bit better but time and time again I’m reminded that racism evolves just like @jamartibsy talks about in his book, “the color of compromise”. And while we absolutely deserve to be treated as full human beings and compensated at the rates that align with our values, I also know that we can expect to have to fight for everything we want and that’s exhausting.
It’s draining when you have to spend so much time enduring racism, guarding yourself, healing, and such while also trying to do the things you love and pour the energy into what you’re building. I often think about what my ancestors would have created for themselves and their communities had we not been forced into slavery for 246 years? I often wonder what amazing things we’d be able to create, experience and enjoy if we weren’t dealing with the trauma of generational racism and present-day racism?
What could we be spending our time on if we weren’t spending it on dealing with racism in all the ways it shows up.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE this WAY.
And if you’re learning from me I encourage you to express your gratitude by joining the shine brighter together community, sending a cash gift (@moniquemelton23), or investing in the classes. At minimum learn and share resources such as the Black Liberation Course.
Go beyond freely consuming content and invest in our work.
