Hello friends,

When I was thinking of who should be featured in this interview series this year, one name cropped up a few times: Robin Divine. Robin’s been vocal about inequality, both on social media and through the Poverty Sucks newsletter, which pulls no punches. Please meet Robin…

Robin, what made you become an anti-racism activist and writer?

In 2020 I started a career in the psychedelic therapy space. I was instantly aware of the lack of diversity and limited access available to people without financial resources. As a result, I became an advocate for Black visibility in psychedelics and created initiatives to help make psychedelic therapy more accessible to the Black community. This work eventually led me to explore social justice. After researching the long history of systemic injustice in this country, I shifted my focus from creating equity in psychedelics to creating equity in our collective society.

What anti-racist cause are you most passionate about, and why?

I'm most passionate about creating an equitable society for those of us whose lives have been harmed by decades of systemic oppression and colonial violence.

What form does your activism take?

My activism is in my writing. I write a Substack called Poverty Sucks where I share the impact chronic poverty has had on my own life as well as tangible steps we can take to create an equitable society.

What response have you had to your writing?

I've had an overwhelmingly positive and supportive response to my writing. Readers have shared that they've learned about poverty and community care from my work and as a result, have actively started to engage in mutual aid.

In terms of anti-racism content, which are your top three articles?

I picked these pieces because they each resonated with my audience for different reasons.

"Little Life Boats" explores the cycle of chronic poverty while "White People Don't Think About This" examines that daily "hidden in plain sight" racism that is often overlooked by white people in my community but always felt by me. Lastly "Dear Mom" touches on the brief life of my Mother and why I'm glad she no longer has to exist in this harsh, unjust reality.

1. I'm Tired of Little Life Boats

2. White People Don't Think About This

3. Dear Mom, I'm Glad You Aren't Here

Share one anti-racism article written by someone else that really made an impact on you.

This piece helped me realize that while we were in a fight for a free Palestine, we we're also in a fight for our own collective freedom.

Choose Connection and Devastation Over Silence and a Hollow life - The privileged are really not ok by Ayesha Khan, PhD

In relation to racism, what is your vision for the future?

My vision for the future is one in which everyone has their basic needs cared for. I envision a society where our worth as a human is not determined by the amount of labor that we can produce. I hope for a world where artists and creatives are just as cared for, compensated and respected as other professions that we've placed a high economic value on.

Well, that certainly resonates with me, as I’d love to see a world where our needs are met with ease and where we all thrive. Folx, please support Robin Divine by checking out her Patreon, her LinkedIn profile, and Instagram profiles for Poverty Sucks and the Decolonized Community Care Fund, which Robin co-founded.

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

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I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2024. All Rights Reserved.