In 2019, the chapter began to discuss the possibility of a reparations campaign goal specifically linked to housing justice. We decided to dedicate all reparations payments collected towards the purchase of a house for Stickii Quest and ShaeShae Quest, two Black, queer, trans freedom fighters who had also been two of the chapter’s accountability partners. Through the relationships that individuals in the chapter had with Stickii and ShaeShae, we knew that they were struggling with housing instability, and that becoming owners of a home would radically change their potential for safety, and support a more stable livelihood. When our chapter first considered this idea, it was daunting; by this point we had collected a total of about fifteen thousand dollars in reparations payments, and some members felt nervous about the goal of raising enough money to buy a house in full. We asked people in our networks to be bold and brave in their payment of reparations, and moved forward with this ambitious goal to collect enough reparations payments to purchase a house for our collaborators.
During the campaign, our chapter worked to spread the word to the larger community. We specifically grounded this project in a framework of reparations, in contrast to frameworks of fundraising or charitable giving. However, we learned from organizers with fundraising experience about the most effective tactics for moving money. As a group and as individuals, we held events that offered both education on issues of racial justice and reparations, as well as opportunities for people to pay reparations. These events included house parties, birthday parties, concerts, and screenings. Through these events, we also connected with people who wanted to offer their skills and time, including a real estate agent who would help find a home that would work for Stickii and ShaeShae. We put feelers out into our networks to find lawyers and tax advisors who could give professional advice and assistance.
Through working with Stickii and ShaeShae, we came up with a secure system of handling reparations payments with accountability. (For anyone curious about these logistics, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email.) By the end of 2019, we had reached our initial goal of raising $100,000. We continued our campaign into 2020 as Stickii and ShaeShae began searching for a house. Three core members of our chapter worked closely with Stickii and ShaeShae throughout this entire process, and these strong, trusting relationships were integral to the success of this endeavor. Stickii and ShaeShae closed on a house in June of 2020 for $140,000 and became homeowners. Members of WMSURJ continued to help Stickii and Shae Shae in their transition, paying the first year of property taxes and offering support with furniture, costs and repairs.
Building Trust: When we first brought up the idea of running a reparations campaign to purchase a house, Stickii and ShaeShae, they were understandably skeptical of whether or not we’d be able to deliver. One member of our chapter was already good friends with them through organizing work, which helped initial trust-building with the chapter. A few other core organizers then became friends and liaisons with Stickii and ShaeShae, giving honest and accountable updates on what was going on and listening to and responding to their concerns. Through this, we built strong relationships and friendships that were necessary for this project to be a success.
You can hear Stickii, ShaeShae and WMSURJ core organizers in their own words by watching or listening to a long-form conversation about this reparations campaign. Watch the video on YouTube at bit.ly/reparationsconversation, or listen to the podcast on Soundcloud at bit.ly/reparationsaudio.
During the campaign, our chapter worked to spread the word to the larger community. We specifically grounded this project in a framework of reparations, in contrast to frameworks of fundraising or charitable giving. However, we learned from organizers with fundraising experience about the most effective tactics for moving money. As a group and as individuals, we held events that offered both education on issues of racial justice and reparations, as well as opportunities for people to pay reparations. These events included house parties, birthday parties, concerts, and screenings. Through these events, we also connected with people who wanted to offer their skills and time, including a real estate agent who would help find a home that would work for Stickii and ShaeShae. We put feelers out into our networks to find lawyers and tax advisors who could give professional advice and assistance.
Through working with Stickii and ShaeShae, we came up with a secure system of handling reparations payments with accountability. (For anyone curious about these logistics, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email.) By the end of 2019, we had reached our initial goal of raising $100,000. We continued our campaign into 2020 as Stickii and ShaeShae began searching for a house. Three core members of our chapter worked closely with Stickii and ShaeShae throughout this entire process, and these strong, trusting relationships were integral to the success of this endeavor. Stickii and ShaeShae closed on a house in June of 2020 for $140,000 and became homeowners. Members of WMSURJ continued to help Stickii and Shae Shae in their transition, paying the first year of property taxes and offering support with furniture, costs and repairs.
Building Trust: When we first brought up the idea of running a reparations campaign to purchase a house, Stickii and ShaeShae, they were understandably skeptical of whether or not we’d be able to deliver. One member of our chapter was already good friends with them through organizing work, which helped initial trust-building with the chapter. A few other core organizers then became friends and liaisons with Stickii and ShaeShae, giving honest and accountable updates on what was going on and listening to and responding to their concerns. Through this, we built strong relationships and friendships that were necessary for this project to be a success.
You can hear Stickii, ShaeShae and WMSURJ core organizers in their own words by watching or listening to a long-form conversation about this reparations campaign. Watch the video on YouTube at bit.ly/reparationsconversation, or listen to the podcast on Soundcloud at bit.ly/reparationsaudio.
