There’s a meme that makes people laugh—a hyper-privileged white woman, manicured and oblivious, whining, “Money, please!” It’s ridiculous. It’s meant to mock entitlement. But what happens when we take that image, flip it, and reclaim it—not as satire, but as strategy?
At Calling Up Justice, our Giving Tuesday theme this year is “Money Please.” And yes, we’re saying it loudly, clearly, and without shame. Because asking for money—especially for justice work—should not be an act of embarrassment. It should be a declaration of value, sustainability, and care.
Reclaiming the Ask
The original “Money Please” meme comes from a place of privilege: someone accustomed to having their desires met without effort or consequence. Inverting that meme, we’re naming a different kind of ask. We’re not asking for money because we feel entitled to it—we’re asking because we earned it, we need it, and we use it for the collective good.
Communities of color, disabled artists, queer and trans organizers, caregivers, and justice producers are often expected to give endlessly without being resourced. The emotional, intellectual, and creative labor we provide keeps movements alive, yet it’s frequently unpaid or underpaid. We are told to be humble, to self-sacrifice, to “do it for the cause.” We are told to be grateful for scraps.
So this year, we are saying: No more shame. Money, please.
Shamelessness as Radical Practice
Shame has long been a tool of control. It keeps marginalized people quiet. It convinces us that asking for what we need is selfish or greedy. But when we reject that shame, we begin to reclaim power.
Being shameless about money is an act of resistance. It’s saying:
- Our labor has value.
- Our communities deserve resources.
- Our joy, access, and care are worth funding.
We are not begging. We are not hustling. We are building ecosystems of justice, sustainability, and creativity—and that requires investment.
