I agree that Bluesky is a great alternative and it is gaining steam, but Shari, consider your thought about fighting from within for as long as you can. That has immense value and the Andreessens and Horowitzs of the world will have to to continue to consider your perspective. I left work with an accounting firm partly because they had clients similar to these folks, and I just could not stomach supporting the ultra wealthy any longer.
I heard about the conflict of Substack a while ago while listening to a podcast. I think it may have been on a Molly Jong Fast podcast. And I found it interesting at the time. I just wish we as black people can come up with our own and get more traction for us to keep us with what all is going on in our communities. Ms Dunn you provide so much valuable information that struck a cord with me. I’ve shared with family. If you go Bluesky or any other platform I will be sure to follow you there.
It is outrageous you have to block trolls on Linkedin. Though some things about tiktok are useful, I we need to put it down for now. Have you posted your videos on youtube? I think several substackers post here and there too which helps to reach people not on substack. Glad you are here.
Am glad I found you Shari, I’m Martin. I think the problem for those of us who are social justice advocates is that there is no safe space anymore.
We have to persist on the platform because people here do look to people like us to take a lead, however imperfect the environment may be.
I have a protective streak in me and the small community I’ve built here are precious to me. I believe truth is the antidote to this tyranny and I’m committed to keep building because Truth does Matter.
There are 41 million of us in the USA. 13% of the population but possibly 80% of the creativity, jokes. Insight, and swag. Can’t we build our own platform? With 41 million users, we good. There are enough Black software engineers and Black millionaires/billionaires who can invest to build our own platform. We can allow everyone to join but it would be ours. IJS.
I looked up the founders of Substack and learned a little about each of them. Their most important mission is to allow writers to create and grow without being held down in more typical and traditional settings. The company you mentioned was one of their very first investors, and nothing has appeared to change as far as demands being dictated. So there’s that. Rachel Maddox and Nicole Wallace love Bluesky’s app, but I am not familiar with it. Just keep getting your information and knowledge out there. That’s the most important thing, right? Have a great weekend.
Oh, Honeyeeeeee, you said it, clear and unadulterated! The tension between where we create and where that creation gets co-opted is so real, and watching you walk through that moral terrain without preaching, without performing, but just being honest? Ministry.
Home Hitter:
“To some extent, every job, every company that a Black person works for is not for them.”
That line stopped me cold. Because it’s not just true, it’s inherited. It’s in the bones of how we show up, make space, and survive. And yet, your decision to stay, with eyes wide open, feels deeply liberatory. Not about loyalty to a platform—it’s about loyalty to your people (I am one). Your words. Your work.
I just want to say thank you a million times over. For not walking away quietly. For naming the power behind the curtain while still holding the mic. A rare kind of courage.
if it's any help at all - having one to one connections and interactions/conversations with "boots on the ground" journalists/writers, and especially indie reporters, and political activists including ppl like ava du vernay, stacey abrams, katie phang, lev parnas arturo dominguez jeremiah patterson and jenn budd and many many others is what currently makes this the best place to be at our current moment in time- interactions i don't think i would have had otherwise.
I agree that Bluesky is a great alternative and it is gaining steam, but Shari, consider your thought about fighting from within for as long as you can. That has immense value and the Andreessens and Horowitzs of the world will have to to continue to consider your perspective. I left work with an accounting firm partly because they had clients similar to these folks, and I just could not stomach supporting the ultra wealthy any longer.
I heard about the conflict of Substack a while ago while listening to a podcast. I think it may have been on a Molly Jong Fast podcast. And I found it interesting at the time. I just wish we as black people can come up with our own and get more traction for us to keep us with what all is going on in our communities. Ms Dunn you provide so much valuable information that struck a cord with me. I’ve shared with family. If you go Bluesky or any other platform I will be sure to follow you there.
Thank you!
Good job of revealing who Andreessen Horowitz are, unknown to me until reading your column yesterday.
I Wikipedia’ed out on the Horowitz story and haven’t even read up on Andreessen.
Stay as long as you can. Your voice matters.
If you leave here and jump over to BluSky let us know
Tubal you!
It is outrageous you have to block trolls on Linkedin. Though some things about tiktok are useful, I we need to put it down for now. Have you posted your videos on youtube? I think several substackers post here and there too which helps to reach people not on substack. Glad you are here.
Thank you!
Am glad I found you Shari, I’m Martin. I think the problem for those of us who are social justice advocates is that there is no safe space anymore.
We have to persist on the platform because people here do look to people like us to take a lead, however imperfect the environment may be.
I have a protective streak in me and the small community I’ve built here are precious to me. I believe truth is the antidote to this tyranny and I’m committed to keep building because Truth does Matter.
Yes, we must raise our voices everywhere!
There are 41 million of us in the USA. 13% of the population but possibly 80% of the creativity, jokes. Insight, and swag. Can’t we build our own platform? With 41 million users, we good. There are enough Black software engineers and Black millionaires/billionaires who can invest to build our own platform. We can allow everyone to join but it would be ours. IJS.
I'm staying to support you and others who express and follow truth.
Thank you!
Please stay on Substack!
Try Blusky
I looked up the founders of Substack and learned a little about each of them. Their most important mission is to allow writers to create and grow without being held down in more typical and traditional settings. The company you mentioned was one of their very first investors, and nothing has appeared to change as far as demands being dictated. So there’s that. Rachel Maddox and Nicole Wallace love Bluesky’s app, but I am not familiar with it. Just keep getting your information and knowledge out there. That’s the most important thing, right? Have a great weekend.
Yes that's the best we can do. We have to be stay alert everywhere. Andreessen doesn't mean us well so we'll see.
It will happen because you are the real deal.
Oh, Honeyeeeeee, you said it, clear and unadulterated! The tension between where we create and where that creation gets co-opted is so real, and watching you walk through that moral terrain without preaching, without performing, but just being honest? Ministry.
Home Hitter:
“To some extent, every job, every company that a Black person works for is not for them.”
That line stopped me cold. Because it’s not just true, it’s inherited. It’s in the bones of how we show up, make space, and survive. And yet, your decision to stay, with eyes wide open, feels deeply liberatory. Not about loyalty to a platform—it’s about loyalty to your people (I am one). Your words. Your work.
I just want to say thank you a million times over. For not walking away quietly. For naming the power behind the curtain while still holding the mic. A rare kind of courage.
With you. Still here. Still writing.
if it's any help at all - having one to one connections and interactions/conversations with "boots on the ground" journalists/writers, and especially indie reporters, and political activists including ppl like ava du vernay, stacey abrams, katie phang, lev parnas arturo dominguez jeremiah patterson and jenn budd and many many others is what currently makes this the best place to be at our current moment in time- interactions i don't think i would have had otherwise.
Me, too. Celebrities are tops here. I am a nobody.
LinkedIn has too many scammers. Is Van Jones a Democrat?