The fundraiser "technically" began on the first of the month last week. But, putting out the begging bowl and open hands on Wednesday seemed a bad gesture to me. Perhaps this is a better omen, but the first day of this June's fundraiser, 6/6/2016, is also the anniversary of the D-Day invasion and the day that my father passed away more than ten years ago.
[No condolences needed folks. He was a good man who lived a very interesting life and despite his flaws--who doesn't have them?--I would not have traded my dad for anyone else in the world. He was an eccentric who had many adventures. I hope that the Fates will say and deem the same for me.]
As you know, I share my writing here at Chaunceydevega.com. I also have a podcast known as The Chauncey DeVega Show. Both are labors of love.
I also write for Salon.com and other sites as well.
I am not compensated for my work here at Chaunceydevega.com or the podcast. Nor am I paid for the various TV or radio interviews that I occasionally participate in.
I have been given numerous offers to run advertisements and paid for content here at Chaunceydevega.com and for the podcast known as The Chauncey DeVega Show. I have declined such offers because I want to maintain my independence and freedom.
My various online work requires approximately (at least) 20 hours of work a week...in addition to my "regular" job responsibilities. There is no vast "liberal conspiracy" that funds my work.
When I do the twice a year fundraising drive, I like to offer some reflections and plans/hopes for the future.
As I mentioned last December, I am going to begin a video podcast series. This project is more expensive than I originally had thought. Thus, I will be combining the monies from our December fundraiser (which are in an envelope untouched) with the kind donations from this pledge drive to make that happen. The audience and platform are already secured. This will not be some random Youtube online show. I will be in wonderful company with some serious people. This is an amazing opportunity and I want to be sure to do my best. The audience will be large and I want to bring it...as the one and only Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson is so fond of saying. If I fail, it will be on my own merits and not because of silly technical issues related to lighting or camera work.
I have teased several announcements for this month's fundraiser. Here is the first one. Since the beginning of 2016, I have been one of the front page editors for the extremely popular and influential liberal-progressive political website the Daily Kos. You can see my work there on Sundays. To be included at the Daily Kos in that capacity was/is a great complement, one made possible by your support. Last month, I was also invited by the White House to a fancy summit meeting. Not bad for the child of a janitor and a practical nurse.
When I do the twice a year fundraising drive, I like to offer some reflections. I know that we are setting the pace here at Indomitable/WARN/We Are Respectable Negroes on many issues. In the era of Donald Trump, I have been way ahead of the so-called smart people in my analyses of he, the American Il Duce, proto fascist, thug, known as "The Donald". My framework for discussing Donald Trump where I demonstrate how "politics is professional wrestling" has "inspired" feature-length essays and commentaries from the NY Times, and many other websites and journals of record. With few exceptions, this has occurred without attribution.
While some have ignored my voice while "borrowing" my analyses, I have also had work featured by National Public Radio, as well as Newsweek magazine online, and The Washington Spectator.
I am also much farther along in negotiating a book deal than I was this time last year. I have had several offers/flirtations over the years (one from a pretty big popular press who I flat out told "no" once they put their cards on the table...they were quite surprised). I want to do something special and good. I am not interested in writing a book just for the sake of producing some pages with a title attached and some blurbs on the back that shows up at the local brick and mortar or on Amazon.com. The project(s)--hint--have to be a good fit for the right people. I have a feeling we are getting there much sooner rather than later.
The twice a year annual fundraiser is a great help to me. The symbolic gesture is so very meaningful; the material support is essential too, as there are opportunity costs and other expenses that come with the good number of hours that Chaunceydevega.com aka Indomitable and The Chauncey DeVega Show require to maintain on a weekly basis.
And of course, I have to deal with the many death threats and other promises of harm that come with being a truth-teller and humanitarian who cares about all people. I weather that storm because of the positive energy all of you send me.
The fundraiser will run 1) through to the moment when the goal I have set is reached (approximately 1,250 dollars for a new video card, a "halo" light, bigger backdrop, good video editing software, and much larger external hard drive) or 2) the first week of July.
If you can and are willing and able (important! take care of you, your family, and animal friends first) please do throw some gold or silver into the collection pile during our annual June fundraiser. You can do so by clicking on the Paypal link on the right hand sidebar of the site. Pennies, dollars, and bigger bills all count towards the total.
I also would like to thank all of the kind and generous folks who have donated to support my work over the course of the last year and also subscribe on a monthly basis!
[Apparently the embedded Paypal links expire after a certain amount of time; the Paypal link at the right hand side of the screen should always work.]
I will pull the begging bowl back in once that sum (or time) is reached. Hopefully, as in previous years, we can have a successful fundraiser in short order
As a thank you for the kind support and donations, as I did last year, I have some special guests lined up for this month's episodes of The Chauncey DeVega Show.
Thank you again for your kindness and support during the fundraiser and throughout the year.
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