Facebook Publication Date: 2/15/2018 10:02

From before there was an official Lace on Race:

We are at over 800 now, and despite my admonitions and warnings, I can tell, from private messages alone, that there are more than a few hobbyists among us.

Welp. Nope.

I have written on voyeurism, and outward praise but inward contempt for black femme voices, and now, that I am daring to ask for tangible support, the veiled ‘I don’t think I am getting my money’s worth’.

I am happy to dialog on any of these. But you all need to understand a few things.

There are plenty of spaces out there for kumbya 101. This space is not one of them.

I am assuming that you have a certain level of knowledge and conviction, and that I am not starting from absolute zero with any of you. I am assuming that you, at least in principle, agree with the ethos of acknowledging black women for their intellect, time, and inward disclosures with tangible resources, and that you see the deep limitations of hearts and likes and emojis (which is why i put a moratorium on them) and that you have the ability to understand on a meaningful level what it means to like something enough to heart and share it, and even give a flattering review, but not think the effort is worthy of anything tangible.

I understand most will not. But asking for incredible amounts of labor, asking questions in pm’s that will take inordinate amounts of time, while questioning the validity and worth of both the messenger and of the message is, well, galling.

I like what is being created here. I will continue to do it as long as I can afford to. In the last three weeks, in addition to the 800 here, I have picked up about 200 more followers on my personal feed.

Welp, like i have said before, I am not going to make this page, in the month of BHM no less, to be a repository for unrecognized labor.

So read below. Figure out where you stand. Then either step up in any number of ways, or unfriend or unfollow. This past weekend I was serious when I said I would be ok with 95 percent attrition. It’s less than a month.

But a trusted mentor of mine said to me, ‘The relationship you have in the beginning is the relationship you have.’ That’s true here. This is not theater in the round, where 1000 spectators watch me dance. And I am running of ways to cajole you. I have been wanting to post the story about dimes, but I wonder if this group is ready. And if it is not, then i wonder about the purpose and the efficacy of this group.

So, dimes. But first read, *and comment* on this.

And yes, 1000, enough of you now to fill a minor league baseball bleachers. Help me, help us, continue this work. Yes, I dare say it’s worth it. But 80 of you cannot do it alone.

Support the community of Lace on Race. Push the button above, or click below.
paypal.me/mennolacie

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