So I’m finishing up my workout at the gym and feeling all good about life when my phone vibrates. I look and see that there’s a new comment on TRSJ so I click through to read it. Let me just say that every now and then someone says something that activates my inner rage and against better judgment, I respond aggressively. This is one of those occasions. So I click the link and find this:
I’ve just became aware of this site a few weeks ago and since then I have perused it quite frequently. I usually don’t comment much but when I noticed the donation link it appalled me! As I sit here looking at my student loans and revolving credit, I’m taken by the fact that people would donate to someone who could possibly be making more than them a year. I understand everyone needs a little help every now and then but a promised video taped thank you and amateur advice isn’t worth hard earned money that could be used toward a bill or just to by myself something other than someone else’s time. I wonder if I set up a website to help raise money for my student loans how many contributions I would receive????……….
First things first, get the f*ck outta here!
So I’m supposed to provide content throughout the week, run 2 growing blogs, be active in the comment sections of each, engage with folks on Twitter and Facebook, attend events, promote positive happenings in the community, and never ever ask anybody for anything other than clicks? Get the f*ck outta here!
You peruse this site frequently, which I assume will stop now, and you think that I’m just supposed to entertain the world and nobody is supposed to chip in to help me get to a conference and awards show after writing and refining my craft for 3 years because I have a day job? I work in HR for a nonprofit that addresses poverty in Africa. That means I took a pay cut to do something with a greater purpose. Seriously, get the f*ck outta here!
You’re bitching because I’m taking the time to send individual thank you videos and emails to everybody that supported me? A person’s donation is more than worth me taking the time to do something personalized and show them some appreciation for going above and beyond what was asked. The fact that you take issue with this makes me wanna pour spoiled milk on your head and throw a bucket of flour at you. Once again, get the f*ck outta here!
This blogging sh*t is not easy. I sink no less than 15 hours a week into writing, making subtle site improvements, thinking about how I and the sites I run can be better, and corresponding with the people that support my work. I’ve reviewed readers’ resumes and cover letters for free. I’ve answered career questions for free. Sh*t, I’ve helped someone get a job and asked for nothing in return. Come to think of it, do you see ads on this site? Did you notice I own the domain? Do you think all this is free? Get the f*ck outta here!
Instead of bitching about your loans and revolving credit, why don’t you focus on managing your money better so that you can get rid of those loans and lower that credit so that you’re not saltily commenting on blogs about people donating. Got me writing run-on sentences and sh*t. F*cking ridiculous. Rza.
And before I forget…
Get the f*ck outta here!
I really am a nice guy and I know that I should let comments like this roll off, but there are people that think this way about bloggers and it needs to be addressed. Call this immature, unprofessional, etc. At least I was honest. Besides, this is a personal blog. It can’t be tiddly winks and dandelions all the time. Damn. This was cathartic.
With that said, I’m gonna shower, drink a smoothie, and start compiling my email list for those that supported. The anger is outta my system and I’m done with this. **Returns to regular-sized Slim**
Look what you made me do. I done ripped my shirt,
well said!
He or she (though I'm leaning towards it being a she, a he wouldn't have said anything at all) should've kept their thoughts to themselves. It's not like you begged people to donate and the very thing people are donating for is involving your blog. You didn't ask us to help you fund your vacation to some exotic country. So, WHEN you win these awards, in a small way, your readers win too.
Yes!!! Bravo! *Gives Slim a standing ovation* Some people are so ridiculous. Well said, dearest, well said!
“I work in HR for a nonprofit that addresses poverty in Africa. That means I took a pay cut to do something with a greater purpose. ”
I didn’t know that. This makes me feel even better that I gave you a donation and didn’t miss out.
I don’t know what that person’s goal was when they posted that comment but this post might just help you get the rest of that money you need.
I was going to donate anyway, but that person's comment made me do it IMMEDIATELY! Some people just don't want to see others do well…
Well honestly, I think it’s a fair criticism. Granted, one you may not have wanted to hear. While some feel like “it’s not like you’re going to some exotic island” I’m not sure that matters. You are essentially going on vacation. You’ll be “networking” but very rarely do people pay for others to network. You propose that you shouldn’t be expected to do this for nothing, and that makes sense. But again, people rarely pay to read blogs. Blogs earn money via other avenues. The minute major news sites even hint at moving to paid subscriptions, it comes off the table because in the world of free information, rarely should I pay for it.
It would be one thing if you were asking people to donate for a trip in which you would be doing service, or donate items to be given out for those in need. But a plane ticket? I agree, it sounds odd considering I believe you’ve mentioned before that you’re taking vacation days (which implies you have a job with benefits, and you’ll be getting paid while gone), I apologize if that’s incorrect. I just think it’s all a tad bit much.
Surely you’re readers will find me ridiculous, a hater, and much more. All I can say is that’s not true. I think you’re great, but I just think you could certainly be raising money for a better cause, and maybe even offering better incentives to the people that have dedicated themselves to supporting you.
I don't think anybody has a right to tell me what I should or shouldn't be raising money for. All people have to do is donate or not donate. No love lost if people don't. By posting in an open forum, I know that I subject myself to criticism. However, I'm gonna call bullshit on your comment. The fact that you or anybody else would have the audacity to tell me what I should be doing or how I tier donation amounts on my personal site is ridiculous.
Fair assessment. I don't want you to think that my intentions were to tell you WHAT to do, more just offering my opinion of the matter, which so far has been allowed.
I'm ALL about supporting people out here trying to make it.
You'll be "networking" but very rarely do people pay for others to network.
–
What do you think companies pay people to go to conferences for? To learn and to network. We the readers are not only his clients, but his employers. We compliment and critique him, and without us, he would not have a good product, or a 'job'. We are helping him to improve his skills by helping him to go to this blogging conference. Not only is it good business for him but good for us, because we get the benefit of improved service.
I'm a new reader, and admittedly I haven't donated because I am a struggling non-profit worker myself. However, I can't/won't begrudge Slim this opportunity. Heck, I wish I could go!
Good luck, Slim. Take good notes and lots of pictures.
Plenty of pics and notes indeed.
So I am not one to roast people. I believe in unicorns, fairies, rainbows and ish so i won’t go there but I will say something.
I am a person that donated. He asked for a 5 damn dollar donation, not your first born. This is why we can’t have nice things. This dude out here hustling, putting his time money effort into something that he loves. There are so many of us that are not able to do that for various reasons. What possible reason can you come up with not to support him IF YOU WANT TO?! If you don’t fine keep it pushing, but dont come into his own house trying to sh*t on him.
Im sure the majority of us that read this site and many other sites have student loans. So what? When Slim goes to conference and back your loans still gonna be there. I bet if you start your donation site and people donated you wouldnt have anything to say.
I am normally a lover and not fighter but this pissed me off.
#TeamSJ
Support Young, Black and Gifted on their hustle
My very first thought in response to her comment was “this is why we can’t have nice things.” I almost opened with that.lol
Sorry grammer nazis, I know there all kinds of errors but I was on my phone and eing lazy
Very well written. It needs to be said. Bloggers and writers in general do not get the appreciation that we need.
I enjoy your work so keep doing what you're doing sir. There will always be haters trying to bring you down in life but you pray for them and keep on moving. Again your blogs are great!!! (No Tony the Tiger) lol.
Am I the only one that kind of likes the roid-raged slim?
Grrr….
No, ma'am. You are not the only one.
You tell them slim. I have seen plenty of bloggers with donation links and many just to be there rather than having a blog related purpose. If this commenter doesn’t want to donate then don’t donate. Fuck them.
Wow, did someone’s panties get in a bunch! Awww ROO hoo!
When I wrote my OPIONION I expected to get some ‘you’re a
hater’ ‘bitter’ etc. , which I did, but I didn’t expect it to this extent. The fact that you chose to tell me to leave
or as you so eloquently put it ‘get the f*ck outta here!’ makes me wonder how
you truly can feel that people are entitled to their own opinions yet respond
to my opinion on the matter with such aggression and also how old are you? Grow
up. Maybe I should have rephrased my
original post because I wasn’t trying to convey that people should not donate
at all, I realize that other people who read your blog have different thoughts
on the matter and most who donated have no problem doing so. I simply was expressing my thoughts and
opinions which were that it’s surprising that you would ask for donations to
attend a conference that you CHOSE to attend just like you CHOSE to purchase
this domain and to even start a blog in the first place. No one put a gun to
your head and told you to create this blog, you did this on your own and in
doing so you open yourself up to criticism, some you may not like. You gave a little snapshot of your resume and
good deeds in your post and that’s great, but how do you know that some of your
readers, to whom you have extended this invitation to donate for your trip,
have not done some of the same things.
This is in fact YOU’RE forum which allows you to post your thoughts and
ask for donations on occasion but don’t get on the defense and feel the need to
rattle off your accomplishments just because someone has an opinion that doesn’t
involve praising you or giving money. I
have every right to my opinion and to type it every now and then. And as far as me managing my money better, so
I of course won’t feel compelled to type my opinions when I feel like it, maybe
if you had managed yours you wouldn’t have had to ask for donations in the
first place. Hmmm… ponder that.
You may have gone ‘APE’ on me but I just went H.A.M. on you….
And no I don’t mean Oscar Meyer
That is all
**blank stare**
The problem here is that your point (while valid from your point of view) gets lost in your nastiness (and lack of correct CAPITALIZED grammar). Guess they didn’t teach that with the loan money….
(and yes- my nastiness, however truthful, was purposeful to demonstrate a point)
Two wrongs do not make a right. Learn to choose your battles. This is energy poorly wasted.
Daneille, you need to grow up. You are calling him out saying it was his choice, yet it’s your choice to read his blog. If you can support by reading then why does him asking for a $5 donation bother you so much. You spend money effortlessly on things that you want. You’ve asked people for money for things you want. Student loans are not the only things that you or anyone else is paying for, but that doesn’t mean you have to take your anger out on someone that you find entertaining.
Speak on what you know and not what you assume. Same as for Danielle. Igonrance should not begat ignorance my sister.
You sound like you recently had a college graduation party and got bothered that so many people gave you empty cards. If you perused long enough, you'd see that one of my first post on here was about me not being a celebrity and how I don't feel entitled to any special treatment. I asked people to donate. Some did and some didn't. You didn't see me write an angry post complaining about not getting more money. I wrote an angry post about someone that fell through a soapbox and got trampled. Anyways…
http://www.therealslimjackson.com/2011/05/03/im-n…
Oh yeah, and since you threw out that if I can't take criticism then I shouldn't have a blog, I wrote a post a while ago and didn't even know I was talking to you. You are the epitome of the blog commenter that takes shots at the author and then gets angry when the author zings you back. As if once bloggers post something, they've used up their freedom of speech credits and go mute until the next post. This isn't Jeopardy. **refers to the title of this post** Yeah, do that.
http://www.therealslimjackson.com/2011/05/10/stop…
"I have every right to my opinion and to type it every now and then."
And I have every right to respond whether it be a post like this or a rebuttal comment. Notice I didn't delete your comments. That would've been the easier thing to do. Munich cosigned you and I didn't delete what they said. Obviously I support freedom of speech.
"This is in fact YOU’RE forum which allows you to post your thoughts andask for donations on occasion but don’t get on the defense and feel the need torattle off your accomplishments just because someone has an opinion that doesn’tinvolve praising you or giving money."
You basically just told me I wasn't supposed to respond. See previous link.
"Maybe if you had managed yours (reference to Slim's money) you wouldn’t have had to ask for donations in the first place. Hmmm… ponder that."
So I took a note pad and went and sat by the Hudson River to ruminate on this. After getting bit by several mosquitoes, seeing a 3-eyed fish eat a bear, and becoming no wiser than when I sat on that dirty riverbank rock, I've concluded that you're throwing shit at a wall covered in vegetable oil.
In other words, f*ck off.
P.S. This is the last response you'll get from me.
It's sad that we as black people feel that the only way to make a point to someone is by using profanity or tearing someone down. The best response that you couldve given was none at all. I am all for freedom of speech on all levels but when you speak make sure it's something of importance. Thank God for Jesus because if he reacted the way half of everyone did to this young lady's comment, we would all be burning in hell.
Oh please.
Mr. Jackson I will keep you and all of your followers in my prayers. God bless!
Hallelujah.
The one word responses are my fav. This whole thing is bananas. Who goes to a site and gets appalled about an option to donate? Just don’t donate. I think people have unrealistic expectations of bloggers. Like there is no professional blogger code of ethics. Funny stuff tho!
lol. Tell her why ya mad, son!
To Danielle:
You speak of hard-earned money as though Slim asked each individual to donate $100+. He admitted that he should’ve been wiser in planning & budgeting for the upcoming event, but since there’s no use in crying over spilled milk, he tried to think of some additional way of raising funds without hurting his Savings account. As far as he was concerned, it was a long-shot, and it’s not too hard to gather that he was surprised that he even managed to raise half of what he required, talk-less of surpassing the goal. I don’t quite understand why you’re appalled. The fact that he makes more money than some of the donors means little if his bills & cost of living strip him of the same percentage of his earnings as the rest of us. I doubt he’s swimming in a sea of money and bling. Student loans or no, many people do not think twice before making purchases of well beyond $5 on things that will be forgotten in a matter of hours. Were he demanding that all readers contribute or guilt-tripping those who didn’t, I could understand your dismay, but such is not the case. I’d invite you to give the guy a break. Although he derives a lot of personal satisfactory gain from the blog-related work that he does, the fact remains that he puts in a lot of time and effort, and it provides a lot of us with entertainment and meaningful discussion. I’ve gotten a lot less from services that I actually pay for. A lot of people donated as an act of goodwill, and some would have even without the promise of personalized thank yous. No one’s stopping you from setting up a website, but do remember that most people who have contributed appreciate what Slim does and what they get out of it (not necessarily advice, as you would have it; I’d venture to say that only a minority of people actually read these blogs seeking that). If the same can’t be said for you, then it shouldn’t be a surprise if you’re not successful.
In my opinion, there has been overreaction on both ends.
"Opinions are like assholes, eveyone has one" but like assholes smell some opinions do also!
Danielle I don't get it what is there to be appalled about? It's called a "donation for a reason its freely given. You are correct your appoach was unnecessary. Its sad to me that Slim even had to go there – did you exepect him not to respond or take I person thIs is his blog and for you to come back for rebuttal was absurd. If you don't agree with his approach and tactics don't come on here. Its that simple. I'm sure you've learned more on this blog then some of the books rolled into your student loans or cc debt (interest is a mofo ain't it)
Sometimes I swear people want their 15min of iFame so they start unnecessay bs!
Slim I hope you enjoy your trip! I look forward to hearing about it!
Bereal
0 minutes ago
It's sad that we as black people feel that the only way to make a point to someone is by using profanity or tearing someone down. The best response that you couldve given was none at all. I am all for freedom of speech on all levels but when you speak make sure it's something of importance. Thank God for Jesus because if he reacted the way half of everyone did to this young lady's comment, we would all be burning in hell.
When my business partner and e-sis decided to set up a website for African Diasporans we ummed and ahhhed over whether asking for donations would go down well with people. If you check the top right hand corner of the site: http://www.diasporandarlings.com/ we tried to go for the inoffensive "buy us a coffee". We figured that a coffee AUD$3.50 wasn't something that would break people's banks but we STILL got and get flack. Its always the people who never had any intention of donating that make the most fuss. At the moment our donation button ain't even working and people keep telling us to get it fixed. Those people who value your writing and want to support you will do it any way they can.
Miss Danielle I don't get where the anger is coming from but I think I know. Those student loans sit hit heavy on your shoulders and you wish people would donate to you yeah? Its like watching Kim Kardashian get paid…for what I don't know really BUT I can side eye her all I want that money still aint coming to me. There's an African saying that goes "Praying for your friends legs not to work so you can get to the end of the journey faster and first, won't make YOU walk any faster or get there first."
Happy Travelling Slim!
Very nice website by the way. Super clean.
wow. when i first read this, i thought TRSJ might be on some reverse psychology ish. but now that I see all the comments…hmmm…
i also admit that reading this post kinda…turned…me on. but maybe i shouldn't admit that here. so nevermind.
anyway, just donated my $5. and i may come back later today to read this post again. and donate 5 more $…
Thanks!
SuperHomeBrewer on June 24, 2011 @jared0379 Not one that I give out. Message me on yuotube, you’ll need to be my friend on here first.
MILuu6 hywrvrqfmztb
Go Slim!!! This person was way out of line. Whether ppl donate or not is their prerogative, & he/she should've been content in theirs & let it be. Shameless. Absolutely shameless… BUT!… gotta love how he/she stood on up there on that soapbox to crowd of crickets. That's embarrassing.
I support you 100 (but u know that) & I think you did exactly right calling them out. Yeah, we've all got freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean ppl can get away with saying it.
I’m not going to roast Danielle just to defend you because you’re a big boy and can defend yourself as you did and funny too. She and munich did bring up a good point in that bloggers write for their own reasons whether it be love for the art or publicity and shouldn’t expect people to pay to read. I would be broke if ya’ll decided to start charging. You can get money from advertisements and the big pay off is getting your name out there. However THAT is a big smoke screen and clearly not her issue. I think her problem is jealousy.
If people couldn’t afford to donate, we wouldn’t. No matter what our financial situations or loans we have, it’s up to us to decide what we want to do with our money. I think this whole argument is stupid because what she’s really saying is “How can he get money for a trip when I can’t get money to pay off my loans?” Which is more of Danielle’s issue than it is you or your donations. If someone has a legitmate gripe with a blogger, they can express that and no the writer shouldn’t roast the person just for disagreeing but this is diff. This is someone throwing salt on your campaign because they’re salty. That might hinder future people from donating and if i were you, it would upset me. I thought your reply was kind as i would have deleted her comment. Anywho, I guess my point is: who cares what consumers want to buy into. It’s our money and our choice. This is a simple case of one needing to mind their own business.
As usual, appreciate 'cha.
I just had this random thought though. What if every popular blog that people read shut down one day? Aside from workplace productivity going up 200%, people would be pretty disappointed. And that disappointment right there shows that there is value to what bloggers do that people take for granted.
I sorta feel like Munich and Danielle have the sense of entitlement that a lot of folks have on the internet. People want something for nothing and then wanna tell you how to go about your life because "you chose to do this and shouldn't ever expect anything." The fact that I laid out how much work goes into this and they still couldn't see the value of it speaks volumes and I know there are more people out there that think this way.
15hrs a week x 52 weeks = 780 hrs over the course of a year to provide content for people to read at work or when bored. If 780 hrs spent doing something for free doesn't justify asking folks for $5 on 1 occasion to go to something positive, then idk.
Sh*t is just sad.
If you ever even think about shutting down, you might find yourself in this situation:
http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Galleries/Impo…
Don't play with my emotions. You will write…and for free. *evil laugh* As far as entitlement goes, of course. We want free er'thang: music, p0rn, etc. lol j/k I don't think it's an issue for taking you for granted, more so than it is the nature of the web. Most er'thang is free online. I appreciate cha, that's why I donated cuz. I support anythang my ppl do. I wish a nucca like Dani girl would tell me what to do wit my mula. Yes I'm hood today. Remember that WE can make money in other avenues too. Miami's waiting. Tupac back.
ok i just died at that pic you linked. wasn’t expecting that at all. and lmao at tupac back! *rawse grunt*
Darn it! You wrote the comment I wrote in my head but was too lazy to type out.
I just paid $30 for my Cosmopolitan subscription, and I only receive that magazine once a month….doesn’t bother me at all to donate a few extra bucks to a blogger who’s (ad-free) website I frequent nearly daily. I don’t see what the big deal is. I spent more money on my Starbucks this morning than I contributed to your Cali trip, but your website is a much greater return on my investment.
“whose” not “who’s”
Tell em’ why you mad son.I find it hifrigginlarious that the writer of that response felt the need to send that comment. While they are entitled to have that opinion there was no need to voice it like that as if you did something wrong. You didn’t make anyone donate. They donated because they wanted to. “Ask and you shall receive.” Don’t be surprised if that person sends you a please donate to me me request in the future.
*Mos def Voice*. Wow.
I won't roast because the beauty of freedom of expression is that the person who rebutted Slims donation request is entitled to her opinion, whether this was the space or method to do that is debatable. Whether Silm should or should not have responded is also debatable.
The only FACTS to be drawn out the situation are.
1."Danielle" says she has loans and issues to deal with.
2. It's not Slims fault Danielle has loans.
3. Slim had $925 (and counting) worth of donations.
4. No one died, was hurt or maimed during the collection of said $925. (Unless Slim is on some mafioso trip…*scrolls back up and side eyes money bar*)
I think that means you stay winning Slim. No bias.
I would donate too but I have loans and shit, sorry dude. Good luck and God bless.
(F.Y.I "Danielle" it's called making a choice. We allowed to say no and live. It's a beautiful thing.)
This comment was brought to you by willfollow4cash, sponsored by freedom of exression and choice to spend my money how I damn well please.
lol. This cracked me up.
By the way, congrats on being the 3rd male to comment on this site. This is historic.
Closed mouths don’t get fed (sorry, I couldn’t help it) there is nothing wrong with slim asking for donations, just like thereisnothing wrong with not donating. I wasn’t quite sure if her comment was geared to slim or to the people who donated. Either way, it was completely unnecessary. She could have done what I’m sure a lot of other people did and just ignored the donation box.
Just like no one held a gun to slim’s head to start his blog, no one is hold a gun to anyone’s head to them to donate or even read the blog at all
LMAO You tell’em Slim!!
Ripped my shirt. Hilarity. I am happy you checked this ‘individual’. People need to stay in their mofoing lane. I love how people love to say random things about personal blogs. Guess what ‘tard you do not have to read duh. I have noticed that some of my peeps are not commenting on my blog, yet I get random texts and calls about why I am putting my whole life on my blog (of which you and I both know you can not possibly do that). I think blogging freaks some people out. And maybe this wankster should fall back from reading posts and click on their Sallie Mae account!! So I agree GTFOH to people who are WORLD CLASS HATERS.
Okay, I just finished reading comments so I am back again. Before anyone goes H.A.M. as it was so ‘eloquently’ put there is something in the world called spellcheck & a little homie called Webster, as in dictionary. So try not to play someone and in turn play yourself by making the readers ? where exactly those student loan payments are going…I’m just saying.
It’s really sad that the people who complain most about donations and other forms of charity are the ones who could and would benefit from them the most. It seems like that type of person is just frustrated that they have not had the privilege of being donated to. This statement really bothered me
“…the fact that people would donate to someone who could possibly be making more than them a year.”
CRAB MENTALITY. I have friends who have cars and I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to give them gas money while I’m riding. Uplifting my community is a passion of mine so any chance I get to help someone reach their dreams I do it no matter their current status.
Two random thoughts:
1) Would we be upset if Slim was like “It was a fake comment; I just wanted to see how many of ya’ll would defend me.” It would make me giggle.
2) If someone was to donate $5 to her financial struggles would the commenter sneeze at it or take it with the appreciation that slim has taken his donations?
Everybody keeps talking about their rights, but I think it's probably more appropriate to frame this discussion in the can vs. should context. You and I can say whatever we want and Slim can react/respond however he wants. Slim can ask for donations. I can donate, if so inclined.
Should you/I say whatever we want? Probably not. Should Slim have responded/reacted the way he did? I don't know or care, but it was entertaining to me. Should Slim ask for donations? Umm, I don't know, but he did so, again, I don't care. Should I donate? I think so, I have a little $ I can afford to support an artist. Especially one who I voted for (on SBM), and followed from 3ways to SBM to TRSJ. Clearly I am a bit of a fan of his art and donating allows me to in a more concrete way say I support you, more than my comments (or lack of) can show.
You can donate or not. I don't see why it's such a big deal. I visit the site I read, donating is no more a requirement than commenting. If you are so moved then comment, or donate, or don't. He can't see you or make you, so why are your panties in a bunch?!
On the positive end of things, her post unwittingly incited quite a bit of support for the campaign. The irony is mildly amusing.
Yeah, I kinda peeped that too.lol. It brought me tremendous amounts of internal joy to see a negative flip into a positive.
“It can’t be tiddly winks and dandelions all the time” lol loves it!
I find nothing wrong with Slim doing a fundraiser. He was honest about what the funds were for. I don't see the readers gripe. I donate to the causes that let me know they need funds and I value. I'm not upset by the cheerleaders soliciting money at walmart because they aren't my school district. I just don't give them money. Your reader seems to have a stingy spirit. If her first thought was "how dare someone ask for help; they have more than me?" Well, she's probably doomed to continue to have "less." Good and selfless deeds have a way of coming back to you. That probably explains Slim exceeding his goal.