Just now getting around to an "end of year reflection" type post
2023 was the roughest in a LONG time tbh, despite how it looks on on social media. Due to my surgery and health issues piling on top of mad other shit, I started 2023 completely fucked financially. Gatekeeping and being denied funding and sustainable opportunities time after time, I knew I would hit rock bottom at some point--I just didn't know when. It only took 4 weeks of not being able to work for that to finally reveal itself.
I've been doing this shit for over 10 years, you'd think it'd be easier by now. Lol not really. 2013, it started with direct confrontation from NYPD serving PWUD whilst being threatened to be arrested (and lots of other shit talk to everyone). Now, it's becoming increasingly difficult to figure out whomst among those in harmreduction circles are snakes or frauds--but I also met a lot of real ones in 2023, and I hope to keep the collaborations going.
Despite the odds, I have managed to pull myself out of this hole. I've had to move on from a lot of relationships and programs that weren't serving me, which are tough decisions to make when you're fucking poor. Even when you obviously deserve better, being picky takes a backseat for basic survival.
Regardless, I'm truly looking forward to the future. All my work has not been in vain. I don't care if the masses don't take notice. It's also not my responsibility to keep trying to use tools that cause more issues and stress just to try to reach .02% of anyone who cares to see. I've been on these platforms for a decade hoping I could use my technical mastery to further outreach. I've reached the limit that these platforms will allow me to atp, constantly navigating censorship and punishment, both from the platform overlords and ppl who use these platforms to surveil and cause harm.
If you support the movement, follow me and my work outside of IG/FB/TT/X. My use of spreading content/communications thru those platforms will be diminishing in the coming weeks (and I’ll be flagging attention more to this substack, my discord, YouTube, Twitch, and Open Collective)
For those who have been real ones in this movement, I see you and 🫶🏾 y'all so much. Peace ✌🏾