Erica Buddington Profile picture
Aug 7, 2018 9 tweets 4 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
THREAD:

It's #BlackWomensEqualPayDay! Here's a little transparency because, as a community, we have to be very intentional with explaining how we're paid or NOT PAID for things so that black girls don't end up in the cycle.
We're paid .63 cents on the dollar of our counterparts. Extended over a 40-year career, the wage gap has black women earning $850,000 less than men’s median annual earnings, according to the National Women’s Law Center. BW make 38% less than white men and 21% less than.WW,.
I'm a full-time educator, accomplished performer (HBO Def Poet/Slam Champion), author of 4 books, business owner (@LangstonLeague), and more. But let me tell you about how my pay usually works in the all the industries that I just mentioned.
Once, I recommended a friend who just graduated from school and started teaching. I was in my 8th year of teaching. We taught the same thing. He accidentally left his offer letter near me and I found out that he made almost $20,000+ more than me.
As a performer, I'm often asked to volunteer my time or do things for "exposure." One year, before I put my thinking hat on, a college invited me to come and perform. I was headed in that direction so when they said they had little to no budget...I said I would do it for free.
After the performance, I grabbed food with the other feature. He was offered a stipend, hotel room, travel, and per diem. We have dang near the same credentials. He was furious that I hadn't been extended the same thing. I was young and foolish.
I own a for-profit social enterprise. I pay for everything on my own. A lot of my male counterparts have investors or people in their circle that can assist with funding. I don't. Despite being the fastest growing group of business owners...only .2% of VC funding goes to us.
Despite going viral every other month, my community work, and the passion for what I do...I still get these same offers + requests (lots of nothing). Not much has changed. I'm just smarter and wiser, now. I've learned the power of: NO.

Know your worth. Then add tax.

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More from @ericabuddington

Sep 21, 2018
I don’t believe that we should assign “homework” to elementary/middle school students. I wanted to “full stop” this, but my Facebook wanted to continue the debate.

Here’s what I have to say to those that are upset about the statement:
We are indoctrinating scholars to do the very thing we write self-help articles about. You read bulletpoint lists about closing the laptop, not answering work emails, and turning off devices after your 9-hour workday but...
..........scholars are required to spend an extra 3-4 hours on work after 9 hours of school?

Nah.
Big nah.
Read 22 tweets
Sep 15, 2018
On July 25th, 2017, my cousin Zanu G. Simpson was murdered after leaving a party. We mourned. Today, Queens will rename Hollis Avenue after you. Cousin, the black officers have the streets blocked off and they will not move until every speech is done. Today, we celebrate you.
Hollis Avenue is now Zanu G Simpson Way. ✊🏾
Whole hood showed up. Zanu we love you!

“Live everyday like its your birthday.” —Zanu Simpson
Read 4 tweets
Sep 15, 2018
On this day, in 1963, four girls in their Sunday dresses, were murdered when four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timing device beneath the steps of the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
My mother turned one, the day before this tragedy. We celebrated her 56th birthday, yesterday. Let that sink in.
These are not 5 fast facts you need to know. I will not wade in shallow paragraph history that’s in our textbooks. I will not treat it as if this pain doesn’t resound right now. I will immerse myself in it. I will call history out as it repeats itself. I will name it.
Read 17 tweets
Sep 12, 2018
Been M.I.A. on social media. I mean, I'm always on it with the articles, but I lost complete control over consistent content once the school year started. I'm doing the work. I love it. I'm tired, but I love it. I'm not tied to it for any reason other than my students.
My PR/branding friends have been shaming me about not growing my following. My besties have been shaming me about not finding time. My family shakes their head when I lug my large bags in and out of my home. *cues @fatbellybella*
But this week, I finally had some time to get my head above water. I probably had 2 hours of free time within the last three days & honestly, they should've been spent sleeping. Instead, the moment I got home from my 9 to 5...I jumped into my company: @LangstonLeague
Read 8 tweets
Sep 4, 2018
The #GeoffreyOwens ordeal really bothered me. I haven’t spent much time on social media these days, because I’m immersed in the work. I’m finalizing summer clients, starting the school year, and trying to find free time to still be a creative. This is the hustle.
When I came across the article, the first thing that left my lips was: SO?

We are all out here juggling and balancing in our own ways to stay afloat and sane. What is it about “celebrity” that negates humanity?
The blue check doesn’t stop the bills, it doesn’t make the deductibles lower (I’m looking AT YOU health insurance), and it most certainly doesn’t guarantee opportunity. It’s surface. & until I can walk this earth without worrying about finance...I will always HUSTLE.
Read 6 tweets
Aug 25, 2018
It’s been exactly 1 year since this clip went viral. It’s been an amazing journey. However, my journey started long before this educational remix. It started the moment I realized that the classroom was the biggest stage I’d ever perform on.
In 2009, a woman that did work in juvenile detention centers & group homes saw me perform spoken word. She said, “I think you’d change the life of some of the kids I work with.” I’d never imagined myself as a teacher until this moment.
I spent the next three years tutoring and teaching creative writing to teen girls. I had the guidance of a mentor that would not allow me to keep my talent a secret. She pushed me to incorporate my rhymes in my lessons. She encouraged me adding elements of game playing.
Read 4 tweets

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