UMESI Support 2021
Donation protected
THIS FUNDING GOES TOWARDS MY HOUSING, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, SETTLING DEBTS, CREATIVE PRACTICE AND OVERALL COMFORT FROM AN UNFORGIVING PANDEMIC AND SOCIETY. THE RECOVERY PROCESS THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN ARDOUS, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING, FORWARDING AND ASSISTING IN MY SAFETY AND CARE.***
Pre-covid my wallet was stolen with my passport in Brooklyn, it would be a year and three major attempts of proving my identity before all identification was replaced. After being laid off due to Covid, I was guaranteed a return position at my part-time. Outside of that, all substantial creative opportunities were cancelled. Having left an exceptionally toxic home environment for New York again three years ago, my journey has been tiresome and parts I will not divulge out of some respect for family involved. Without employment, and unaware of a collective universal future, this past quarantine provided tensions between myself and a past living mates resulting in targeted aggression. Having no training in addressing appropriative and racist behavior, it didn't end well. Besides death being wished upon me and my family, personal items were damaged and designer samples ended up "missing" resulting in a debt of up to 4K. Having never receiving ANY stimulus assistance, I was unprepared for that obstacle among many others. At this point my unemployment was starting to expire, and has since completely. Surviving off the generosity of close friends, select family and creative opportunities. It hasn't been easy but I am thankful for being resourceful and vigilant in my survival.
I've made it a point in reaching out to those with privilege, and each answer has been unique in what is deemed worthy of financial care. This past year I found myself wanting to do more and extend myself, regardless of the societal limitations, tangible resources or streams of income. By looking outside of myself and striving for radical change, it has resulted in back to back blows to the wallet and mental wellbeing. There has been extreme efforts in building a stronger personal foundation, leading towards my credit rehabilitation, financial literacy and basic needs in preventing past issues from repeating. I never anticipated negative repercussions in enforcing boundaries and speaking up. After being fired for advocating hazard pay by a reputable "high end" brand, damaged and stolen property from a racist hostile roommate, and no room for sustainable savings due to growing debts. I am still without steady work, awaiting payment from past employers and arguing the reimbursing of overdue debts predating covid.
By defending my unreasonable firing, it resulted in a 5 month back a forth. Lawyers expressing, "We can drag this thing out, you should just take the money when we first offered." I then admitted defeat, even after it was established I was wrongfully terminated. Because of my situation, workers can no longer be reprimanded for discussing their wages amongst each other. The attorney appointed to me was more ecstatic for the win than I was, " I know you didn't intend to be a martyr, but they learned a lesson with this case!" That was not my intention, and I'd rather be making money than a small lump sum. Those allocated funds were subject to an immense tax cut and the rest went immediately to bills, living expenses, and my creative endeavors.
Selling clothing contributed to keeping afloat, Hurricane Henri affected that with immense water damage and mold resulting in yet another obstacle. The storage space provided me with a false understanding that insurance would cover the damage, only to later discover that was not true. I struggled to keep that space financially, only to discover most of my belongings were past repair. Thus began the tedious process of detailing the total value of items destroyed, only to face a similar outcome of settling for less and leaving that space.
I am thankful for the deep generosity from those able to afford it, the in-between jobs that have carried me through, but even that runs its course. I have been patient to a fault while awaiting callbacks for potential work, taking on temporary gigs with no guaranteed salary, and under the table work. My mental capacity is being tested by the fear of another lockdown with no cushion to land on. It would be deeply moving to receive assistance in getting back on my feet, settling looming debts, and continuing some form of stability. Far from lazy, I am deeply bereft from work both seen and unseen. While I continue the journey of getting back on my feet, it would be extremely appreciative to receive a portion of solid comfort entering into 2022.
These images provide some depth to my situation among the many personal hardships.*
Pre-covid my wallet was stolen with my passport in Brooklyn, it would be a year and three major attempts of proving my identity before all identification was replaced. After being laid off due to Covid, I was guaranteed a return position at my part-time. Outside of that, all substantial creative opportunities were cancelled. Having left an exceptionally toxic home environment for New York again three years ago, my journey has been tiresome and parts I will not divulge out of some respect for family involved. Without employment, and unaware of a collective universal future, this past quarantine provided tensions between myself and a past living mates resulting in targeted aggression. Having no training in addressing appropriative and racist behavior, it didn't end well. Besides death being wished upon me and my family, personal items were damaged and designer samples ended up "missing" resulting in a debt of up to 4K. Having never receiving ANY stimulus assistance, I was unprepared for that obstacle among many others. At this point my unemployment was starting to expire, and has since completely. Surviving off the generosity of close friends, select family and creative opportunities. It hasn't been easy but I am thankful for being resourceful and vigilant in my survival.
I've made it a point in reaching out to those with privilege, and each answer has been unique in what is deemed worthy of financial care. This past year I found myself wanting to do more and extend myself, regardless of the societal limitations, tangible resources or streams of income. By looking outside of myself and striving for radical change, it has resulted in back to back blows to the wallet and mental wellbeing. There has been extreme efforts in building a stronger personal foundation, leading towards my credit rehabilitation, financial literacy and basic needs in preventing past issues from repeating. I never anticipated negative repercussions in enforcing boundaries and speaking up. After being fired for advocating hazard pay by a reputable "high end" brand, damaged and stolen property from a racist hostile roommate, and no room for sustainable savings due to growing debts. I am still without steady work, awaiting payment from past employers and arguing the reimbursing of overdue debts predating covid.
By defending my unreasonable firing, it resulted in a 5 month back a forth. Lawyers expressing, "We can drag this thing out, you should just take the money when we first offered." I then admitted defeat, even after it was established I was wrongfully terminated. Because of my situation, workers can no longer be reprimanded for discussing their wages amongst each other. The attorney appointed to me was more ecstatic for the win than I was, " I know you didn't intend to be a martyr, but they learned a lesson with this case!" That was not my intention, and I'd rather be making money than a small lump sum. Those allocated funds were subject to an immense tax cut and the rest went immediately to bills, living expenses, and my creative endeavors.
Selling clothing contributed to keeping afloat, Hurricane Henri affected that with immense water damage and mold resulting in yet another obstacle. The storage space provided me with a false understanding that insurance would cover the damage, only to later discover that was not true. I struggled to keep that space financially, only to discover most of my belongings were past repair. Thus began the tedious process of detailing the total value of items destroyed, only to face a similar outcome of settling for less and leaving that space.
I am thankful for the deep generosity from those able to afford it, the in-between jobs that have carried me through, but even that runs its course. I have been patient to a fault while awaiting callbacks for potential work, taking on temporary gigs with no guaranteed salary, and under the table work. My mental capacity is being tested by the fear of another lockdown with no cushion to land on. It would be deeply moving to receive assistance in getting back on my feet, settling looming debts, and continuing some form of stability. Far from lazy, I am deeply bereft from work both seen and unseen. While I continue the journey of getting back on my feet, it would be extremely appreciative to receive a portion of solid comfort entering into 2022.
These images provide some depth to my situation among the many personal hardships.*
Organizer
Michael Umesi
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
