I think we need to have a conversation about individual vs collective movements and weaponising progressive language for very personal gain. Because it’s effecting folks on a broader scale and it seems like people have forgotten what doing the work should actually look like.

I left my Instagram this month bc ever since right before Christmas I’ve received a lot of weird messages from WHITE WOMEN insisting I comment on a situation I have actively avoided. The irony of white women yelling at a Black person over showing solidarity isn’t missed on me

But like Black people know how to show solidarity. We know more than you. So when we don’t speak up ... maybe read that silence instead of assuming that we need your help to see right from wrong here WHEN WE REALLY DON’T. I REALLY DON’T. I’m fine.

There’s been a few checkpoints during all of this where it’s been pretty clear to me that a lot of you need to go back to Intersectionality 101 and read again. Because no ones blocking anyone’s bag except you lot.

There’s been checkpoints like a transgender person being put on the spot and being forced to pick between their livelihood and something they’ve actively said they don’t want to be involved with in front of thousands of prying eyes. Gross, you lot. Not intersectional.

There’s been insensitive language used for all to see. Newsflash, I don’t call other Black and brown folks racially loaded terms for thousands of white people because we all know that white folks don’t have the frame work to know not to use that language themselves.

When we live in a world where white people still sing the n word in songs, I’m not trying to call another Black person a racially insensitive word on my platform. That is so ... wrong. And all these white people are just tuning in, so amped on their white rage.

No ones going
“Oof maybe these words don’t need to be said for my eyes and maybe I should take a cue to butt the fuck out.”

Nope. Never-the-less y’all persisted. More messages in my inbox even though I’m like

“If y’all don’t get out of my face with this bullshit.”

The harassment has been so bad that friends have abandoned their accounts as well. Because like if one person can’t get paid something they feel they’re personally owed ... NONE OF US CAN, I GUESS

Awesome work. Really cool.

Speaking of getting paid, are we really forcing Black charities to turn away funds in a global pandemic when mental health is at an all time low? Is that really what we’re doing? IS THAT THE WORK these days? Because I think it stinks.

Listen there’s a lot of people I don’t like and don’t get on with. But I ain’t ever blocking a Black charity from getting funds if it helps other Black people. Never ever ever. We can be mad as we want. But we do not hurt our own community in the name of aCtIvIsm. NOPE.

And then instead of donating to the charity everyone directly donate to me?? I’m sorry. What sort of movement is this because stop the ride and let me off. And I’m side eyeing all of you clapping and cheering in the comments. This is NOT collective activism, this is greed.

And even with all of this, I’m going to let this person live if they survive all these bridges burnt. I have never blocked them from anything. (Besides all my social media). But all of this is stinky. Settle your score through the proper channels and leave the rest of us in peace

But I’m not going to sit back and let weaponised liberation language tear down other marginalized folks on social media. People are literally writing the nastiest stuff on another BIPOC’s book post because what? Oh someone told you to do that because of the publisher?

Lastly if you did not follow me and ignored my entire existence until oh ... 48 hours before you launch some epic bullshit towards someone who has been a friend to me ... don’t be surprised if it comes across as 150% dubious and makes me suspicious of you.

You don’t have to like me or follow me. You don’t have to support my work. I’m not for everyone. But you don’t get to force folks hands or DEMAND solidarity when you have shown none yourself. That’s not how this works. Fin.

Lastly if you’re reading this and you’re white and you know you’ve been acting like an absolute asshat through all of this ... now would be a great time to donate to @blackmindsmatt.