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I have somewhat mixed feelings about asking for proof re: mutual aid requests.
On the one hand, I understand why folks don't want to promote scams to their followers.
On the one hand, I understand why folks don't want to promote scams to their followers.
But trying to catch people in a lie can be a slippery, xenophobic slope.
When asking for verification, if someone else's lived experience is unlike yours, it may feel fishy.
And we're usually bad at asking ourselves "does this feel off because of real evidence or my own bias?"
When asking for verification, if someone else's lived experience is unlike yours, it may feel fishy.
And we're usually bad at asking ourselves "does this feel off because of real evidence or my own bias?"
Maybe this person's reality is unlike yours because of their circumstances. Some people just doesn't have regular access to medical care, housing, etc.
And, if I've learned anything from social work, it's that being poor (like being disabled) is expensive and time-consuming.
And, if I've learned anything from social work, it's that being poor (like being disabled) is expensive and time-consuming.
Donating to mutual aid is a risk because the request may be a scam.
But I think that developing yet another system* that disproportionately harms BIPOC is a greater risk.
*protocol for verifying diagnosis, need, spending, etc.
But I think that developing yet another system* that disproportionately harms BIPOC is a greater risk.
*protocol for verifying diagnosis, need, spending, etc.
How does a system for verification disproportionately harm BIPOC?
Well, the #DOC is lot of white people; so, when we get together and judge the validity of someone's request, our collective perspective is informed by our usually white, middle class experiences.
Well, the #DOC is lot of white people; so, when we get together and judge the validity of someone's request, our collective perspective is informed by our usually white, middle class experiences.
And we (myself included) may forget to ask ourselves why someone's request feels suspicious - am I being racist?
If we don't constantly ask ourselves these questions when verifying a request, then we are REALLY opening ourselves up to acting on our own internalized racism.
If we don't constantly ask ourselves these questions when verifying a request, then we are REALLY opening ourselves up to acting on our own internalized racism.
So, it's actually easier to prevent systemic racism by not allowing our biases to inform these systems (AKA not asking for verification).
And accept the fact that your donation may or may not pay for somebody's insulin, groceries, rent, etc.
And accept the fact that your donation may or may not pay for somebody's insulin, groceries, rent, etc.
And it's fucked up that there are some scammers out there. But we all need protect ourselves by not spending our last $20 on somebody else's meds.
Practicing good boundaries is always a hard thing, and it's especially difficult when somebody's life may be on the line - so scams feel like serious violations.
Conclusion: I think the risk of systematically harming BIPOC diabetics is more serious than the risks associated with being scammed (if we are all practicing good boundaries).
