Lately, intentional ways to spend my money and obtain money has been on my mind. I wrestle with the belief that money isn't everything while living in a capitalist world- it's a conundrum many people exist with today. Thanksgiving kicked off the Superbowl of consumerism- sales, limited-time, limited-edition, doorbuster sales, everywhere. Sales that make people spend their rent money, sales people die for. Shoppers Hysteria. It all feels sinister because the caste and hierarchy system that is needed in order for big corporations to thrive off of Black Friday and Cyber Monday/Week sales are dehumanizing and exploitive. But…well, I want to join in. Sale and dollar signs dangle in front of me but I'm not financially or morally in a healthy place to partake in this. I want all the nice things I can't afford. I want all the nice things I would feel guilty to purchase. It can't be wrong to want to treat myself and yet, I cringe at the thought of it.

But then I remember why I started Protest Mag and feel a small sense of relief. Protest is a small baby right now but I have faith "she" will grow into a complex force felt by many. The money raised and gained from purchases goes into the hands of the contributors. Money is put back into the women (pillars) of our community. Money is energy women who aspire to live as professional creatives can work with. Money is a tool we can circulate among each other to create critical ripple effects that propel us forward. Protest is a small baby right now, but she's here, creating the right waves.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday have passed, today is Cyber Monday, which I recently learned lasts a whole week now. Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday. Protest exists to put money back into the hands of women of color, aiding their Independence and development. Purchasing or donating to the Magazine is a very intentional way to spend money during this consumer season. And as uncomfortable it is to request donations from complete strangers, this is the only way I can join in on the Shoppers Hysteria without being swallowed whole from guilt. I'm ready to aggressively convince people to purchase the magazine because the women who are apart of the Mercy Issue did amazing work and brought amazing energy to the magazine. They deserve to be supported and celebrated.

This is my way to join in and my intention is that others join me, too.

Give to Women

Please consider making a monetary contribution to Protest Magazine today. We intend to create issue two and to include even more contributors on our blog page, demonstration. Please rest assured knowing your donation will reach the writers and artists who work with Protest.

 When you make a donation of $25 or more you'll receive some handmade, pocket journals and sketchbooks. Each book is unique as they're not mass produced. They're not perfect or "professionally" made but they're a small token of my appreciation.

Purchase the digital issue of Mercy here- there are beautiful pieces of poetry by Valentina Pozo, omo pastor, and C. Nzingha Smith. An insightful essay of an all-female world in Saudi Arabia by Nadia Eldemerdash.

And a fresh interview with Evie Snax, self-proclaimed millennial slut, sex witch, and visual spellcaster. She is a multimedia artist, photographer, and who aids others' healing sex work and collaborative art and photography projects. 

Happy shopping. 

Simone