Share the wealth!

So many changes happening, thanks to massive ongoing protests in the streets. One change was someone I used to argue with about values and money. He believed getting rich yourself had no connection to values bad or good. Well, this friend just emailed me that he woke and will no longer teach his lucrative online class on achieving financial independence. Yay! 

He asked me (and others) for suggestions on how to rethink wealth in a racially just way. Here are some of my ideas:

What if we redefine wealth as happiness? Bhutan has done that. Instead of a Gross National Product index, they have a Gross National Happiness Index. Racial justice adds to happiness.

Developing compassionate action builds a wealth of happiness. You can check out some compassion research here: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/the-compassionate-mind It turns out we (and baby chimpanzees) are happier when we altruistically give (or even see someone else give), than we are when we receive. This is assuming one has the basics of food, shelter, clothing, and money to pay the bills, clean air, water, soil to plant their veggie garden; and friendly people around in an atmosphere of mutual respect. 

To start balancing the scales so everyone has the basics from which to altruistically give, Cameron Whitten two weeks ago launched The Black Resiliency Fund. Portland, Oregon Black folks in need receive funds donated by non-Black folks. In the first four days people's donations totaled about a quarter of a million dollars. At the two week mark, the total is half a million dollars and growing. Funds are getting disbursed directly to Black folks in Portland to pay for rent, utilities, internet, transportation, medical costs, student loan debt, credit card debt, child care, moving costs and more. The Black Resiliency Fund is compassionate action creating happiness for the givers and the receivers!

Along these lines, my book 72 Money Saving Tips for the 99% focuses on nurturing happiness by strengthening relationships and building local community (the real wealth!), while weaning away from corporations, and saving money in the process. (Thank you, Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben&Jerry's, for endorsing my book!)

What ideas do you have for sharing the wealth?