Read on Twitter
Wow, the out pouring of love from y’all (some i know personally & some i don’t) has moved me to legit tears. #becauseofJoy
(A thread)
(A thread)
I make it a point to try my hardest to be honest and earnest in everything i do.
I’ve been in these public spaces speaking my truth to power long before the hashtag #blackintheivory and i will long after.
So here is my truth.
I’ve been in these public spaces speaking my truth to power long before the hashtag #blackintheivory and i will long after.
So here is my truth.
I am no longer associating with #BlackintheIvory because i was told by the now solo creator that i wasn’t allowed/shouldn’t be called a co-founder.
Because i didn’t originate the hashtag. Because it didn’t come from my brain i was no different from anyone else who tweeted it.
Furthermore, we all know that sometimes people don’t get along in partnerships; however, i was told we needed to sever ties because i was “radical” i could cause them from getting tenure.
At a later date i was then told the real reason they wanted to sever ties was because “i am impulsive and make unilateral decisions”
None of which are true.
None of which are true.
The “unilateral” decisions they are referring to: 1) tweeting out raising money for the trademark. (I’ll agree maybe i should have asked, but they didn’t have a problem using said money to pay for trademarking)
2) when i quoted my personal tweet from the BITI page shouting out/congratulating a co-founder (me at the time) for launching a business.
I’m saying these two “unilateral” decisions because this is all they could point to as my wrong doing. In my opinion, that’s not what unilateral means but I’m not here to debate the definition of words.
This past Monday we had a conversation (via text) where it was revealed they felt i was just an amplifier despite my hard work from the first day. Other things wrrr said and we had a zoom meeting to discuss
From there it was determined that they would not “allow” nor want me to use the term “co-founder” because they created the hashtag. I reminded them they texted me with it, i tweeted, cited them, engaged the following etc.
At the beginning of this hash tag, they had under 500 followers. I had over 3k. As we know how social media works, the person with more followers is likely to reach a larger audience. (For citation think: social networking theory)
Both of our followings have increased. I am now upwards of 7k followers and their 500 has grown to 5k+
This is important. Because BITI is the reason our followers grew. I’m the reason the HT had its reach
This is important. Because BITI is the reason our followers grew. I’m the reason the HT had its reach
I decided to wash my hands of #blackintheivory because of this: after all the news sources cited us as co founders and academic presses began to reach out— here we are with the spotlight grower bigger and now I’m being told i am not a “co-founder”
I am not telling my narrative to disparage anyone. But i am telling my narrative because this too is #BlackintheIvory
When Black folx have also been conditioned to adhere to white supremacy that they’re led to believe there isn’t enough to go around.
When Black folx have also been conditioned to adhere to white supremacy that they’re led to believe there isn’t enough to go around.
I firmly believe that one cannot reap the benefits of my work: constant twitter engagement, building of the website, polling for merch, commissioning of logo, creation of merch, and maintaining of sales; without wanting to be connected to me.
It must be noted that i was co-founder in the beginning when it took off and the work needed to be done to sustain it, but now that it’s where it is now: I’m just an “amplifier”
I cannot call myself an advocate if i do not advocate for myself and speak clearly when i say: this was not an amlicable separation.
This was instead me realizing my worth. I will not fight to be seen by someone who wishes not to acknowledge.
I live by my father’s words: go where you’re appreciated and not tolerated.
I live by my father’s words: go where you’re appreciated and not tolerated.
Sure there were words said in our final discussion, I’ll admit that. But the crux of the issue: the erasure of my work when in order to receive the credit.
I know what i did. They know what i did. We know what i did.
I know what i did. They know what i did. We know what i did.
Things to remember: there are citations and receipts calling me Co founder
There are citations and receipts of the reason i walked away.
There are citations and receipts of the reason i walked away.
I love y’all. And that’s that.
Moral of the story: know your worth. Know what you value.
I will always value my peace of mind and mental health over any glory/fame.
(End)
Moral of the story: know your worth. Know what you value.
I will always value my peace of mind and mental health over any glory/fame.
(End)
