Reading My Anti-Racism Content For Free?
Well, you might just be a part of the problem...
I started writing about racism in 2020. It was my way of processing lifelong racial trauma. At first, I wrote only for myself, and then, as people started reading more and more of my work, I began writing about my day-to-day encounters with racism or racist events that are happening around the world. I put in the work to bring you a different perspective on racism - one born out of decades of emotional pain and suffering.
When I moved to Substack about a year ago, my friend and fellow anti-racism writer Sharon Hurley, who had been on the platform for a while, told me that despite her good anti-racism content, she could barely make a living from her writing. People were learning from her work; they’d so much as tell her so, but they didn’t want to pay for it. Sharon took on several other activities to be able to pay her bills every month, but we both wondered why, after years of building a newsletter, she still had to hustle so much to survive.
When I started off on this platform, I knew it wouldn’t feed my family, but I didn’t realize to what extent people don’t care to pay for my work. Only 7 percent of my subscribers support me with a paid subscription at $5 a month - less than the price of a Starbucks coffee these days. I also have subscribers who have become founding members with a bigger donation and, recently, others who are supporting me and
’s new videocast, “Conversations between a Black Woman and a White Man.” I am grateful for these people who understand that anti-racism educators should be remunerated for their work.Where would we be if people like me could solely focus on delivering more thought-provoking anti-racism content to you rather than wondering how we’re going to pay our bills?
I know that some free subscribers cannot afford $5 a month, and some of them tell me so. I understand. The reality, however, is that most can afford $5 but choose not to become a paid subscriber. I’m sure there are many excuses they tell themselves as to why, but above all, I see that that act of not paying means that you don’t truly value the author. By not paying, you partake in a system of exploitation akin to the same racist systems that have oppressed Black and brown people for way too long. The same racism that you say you want to become educated about or eradicate is, in fact, perpetuated by your omission to financially contribute to the development of anti-racism content.
I know that that last sentence won’t make me popular, and some might even unsubscribe from my newsletter. The fact is, it has to be said. It needs to be lodged somewhere in the minds of my readers to stimulate deep reflection and introspection, especially for those who read but don’t pay. Folks, antiracism education matters, and it has a price. Paying that price is one of the ways one shows that one is a genuine ally committed to strongly driving the anti-racism agenda.
Today, the headwinds are stronger than ever. From diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under attack in most places to the dehumanization and demonization of Black and brown immigrants and refugees, now is the time to act to truly support antiracism content producers.
Don’t be performative in your support; be intentional, genuine, and fair. Don’t tell yourself that someone else will contribute so you don’t have to. Don't make excuses for not supporting our work anymore; support it with whatever you can because if we don’t get support, we won’t be able to continue this work any longer. I would like to hope that that is not what you want.
Thank you for reading my perspective.
Do you want to read more stories about racism, content you won’t find in the mainstream media? If so, please take out a paid subscription. This will help me to continue to deliver this content. Thank you.
I understand the issue. I read for free. And I benefit. But I cannot afford to purchase subscriptions from all I want/need to read. I think newspaper and magazines were great in giving us information while paying for content from a variety of sources and points of view. Substack seems to try to gain that back but it’s too clearly outside of the economy. I’m a library user and treat Substack as if it were a component of a library. Perhaps we need a “magazine” of Substack. I pay for a block of writers choosing who I want. But then maybe getting samples from others? Maybe reselecting every so often?
As for me I pretty much read and look forward to reading your articles everyday. Most of them resonate with me because I used to work in the corporate industry. Not making excuses but I have not worked in over 6-years. I’m unable to get employment in the legal industry because I got “blacklisted” for speaking up (and did not realize that was a consequence). However I would do it again. Remaining silent does not help anyone. I would gladly pay for a subscription when I get paid work because I think it’s worth it.