Struggling to Boycott Anti-DEI Businesses While Barely Surviving
Listen, I’m a Black woman out here trying to survive, living in my vehicle, hustling from one housesit to the next, and making miracles happen with whatever scraps the universe throws my way. And on top of all that? I’m wrestling with the weight of wanting to stand firm in my values while barely scraping by. My daughter is on this wild ride with me, and every decision I make isn’t just about me—it’s about us. So tell me why the very businesses stripping away DEI programs are also the ones offering (and I phrase this lightly) the "cheapest" groceries, the most affordable gas, and the only available services in certain areas?
The Reality of Living in Survival Mode
Survival mode is real. It’s picking up food from a grocery store, even if they’ve turned their backs on DEI. It’s stopping at gas stations run by people who couldn’t care less about racial equity because, well, my tank is on E and I don’t have the luxury of protesting with my wallet. It’s choosing between feeding my daughter and making a bold stand against companies that don’t see us brown folk as human beings.
And yeah, it stings. It makes me feel like I’m betraying my values and playing both sides. But let’s be real—advocacy isn’t just about where we spend our money. It’s about raising awareness, having these conversations, and doing what we can when we can. Right now, my fight isn’t just about DEI—it’s about keeping my head above water long enough to even have the privilege of making those decisions.
The Weight of Wanting to Do More
Here’s the thing—I want to do better. I want to put my money where my morals are. But life on the road and living with next to nothing means I have to pick my battles. Maybe that looks like choosing a Black-owned business when I can. Maybe it’s about amplifying the voices of those pushing for change. Maybe it’s about knowing that even when I can’t fully live by my principles, I can still be loud about why they matter.
The truth? I refuse to beat myself up for doing what I have to do to maintain basic needs. Because let’s be clear—I’m still a force to be reckoned with. I’m still pushing, still making moves, still showing up as my whole unapologetic self. And if that means sometimes I have to shop where I don’t want to just to keep going? So be it. Because trust me, I’m playing the long game, and in the end, I’m making sure my impact is felt.
For now, I keep moving forward—one-stop, one meal, one hard decision at a time—knowing that even in survival mode, I’m still standing for something. And that in itself is powerful.
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Best
Shereese
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