3 Ways “FREE” Services Hurt Our Hood

If you haven’t watched the recent TED talk by Los Angeles guerrilla gardener Ron Finley, please take 10 minutes and get enlightened. This west coast brother drops so many jewels about creating a self-sustaining community by growing our own food.

But there is one phrase in the talk (9:00min)that caught my attention, “Free is not sustainable!” He discusses the delicate art of offering free services in low income communities.

Finley argues that offering free services won’t create the elusive industry for self-sustained jobs that so many people want and need. His take on the “free services in the hood” conundrum forced me to analyze 3 reasons why free services hurt our community.

 

1) FREE Gives False Hope

Every year Councilman Barry gives away free turkeys. Every few months medical students give away medical services. Occasionally, Anacostia may get a free yoga class or fitness fair. But these services are always choppy, temporary and provided at the whims of the donors. Free doesn’t demand commitment from the service providers. Free is hopeful. But free can’t make any promises. Instead of dangling free in front of the community. Service providers should honestly explain the costs of a successful operation. Ask the community how much they can contribute and create a dependable schedule based on those realities. Free gives the impression that people really care. People care for a little while.  Then reality sets in, passion fades and so do the free services.

2) FREE Forgets the Reality

A close friend recently asked me,”Why are you suddenly tweeting about businesses? Shouldn’t you just stick to yoga and activism?” I explained to him that as I grow in my community activism work, the more I realize that being a business woman is the best way to empower  my community. Sure, I can tweet and post all day about self-esteem, positive quotes and uplifting messages. But in real life, twitter quotes don’t keep food on the table, cash does. The reality is that everything in life is an exchange. Free allows us to temporarily forget about the universal reality of reciprocity.

3) FREE Isn’t About Money

“Make an emotional investment in your neighborhood.” That was the best line from the  Anacostia gentrification town hall on April 23. During the discussion everyone asked about shopping, parking, coffeeshops and diners. But a panelist said, if you really want these services, we must be connected on more than a financial front. Free often makes us beleive that money is the only thing missing. But time, trust, energy, preparation, passion and commitment all come at a cost!  Life east of the Anacostia River is a great case study for most urban, black neighborhoods across America. We lack the starbucks, funky new bars and eateries. But we also have social currency and a spiritual connection with our neighbors. What we lack in cash, we can make up in community!

Moving From Free to Financed!

Sure, everybody loves free stuff. But at some point we must move beyond free and re-engineer our finances to make our community valuable, sustainable and desirable. I am no economist. I’ve worked in wealthy, middle income and low income neighborhoods. I am basing my analysis on what I see day to day. Yet, the question remains “How much of yourself are you willing to invest into your neighborhood?”

• Like
• Tweet
• Email

Share this article