When I started writing what became my anti-racism newsletter almost 5 years ago, it was because I HAD to.
I needed a way to process the racism I’d experienced and the racism in the world, and the written word was – and is – my favourite tool for self-healing.
What I didn’t realise that first day is that others needed it too.
To see themselves reflected and know they weren’t alone.
To make sense of the incidents that had previously been out of their awareness.
To be guided to their next right step as an advocate.
To find hope even at the most hopeless of times.
To have access to a broad array of insight they could use for personal and organisational transformation.
Those are just a few of the ways that SARN has helped and supported people. I’m currently collecting testimonials via this year’s reader survey and it brings me joy to see what my newsletter means to people.
Since August 2020, I have published consistently, amassing an archive of more than 600 pieces: personal essays, interviews, reviews, curated reading lists and podcast episodes.
I am grateful to the people who have supported the work from the start and the ones who have joined the supporters’ crew through the years.
But let me be real with you for a moment. The income I get from the newsletter doesn’t match up with the time and emotional energy I put in to create and run it, or with the value people say it has for them.
That’s right: with 5700+ subscribers not enough people support the newsletter to make it financially independent and fully sustainable. Even though when you break it down, an annual subscription equates to less than $1 per piece of content. Let that sink in.
My challenge to you as we head to the start of year 6 and at a time when we need publications like SARN more than ever: help me change that.
– Get a subscription for your company, educational institution or organisation
– Give a gift subscription to someone who’ll appreciate it and is ready to take action
– Donate to support the work
Thank you!
P.S. Join me for a special edition of What Sharon Said to celebrate the occasion.