Quotes that Hit Different - Celeste C Smith

“ I Can Walk Down the Street Naked and Get Exposure…Pay me!” Celeste C Smith

Yes, I'm quoting myself. AND?! Seriously, though. I remember someone once asked me, while I was running 1Hood Media, "How do people know not to ask 1Hood to perform with out paying ya'll?" I said, "Because we won't do it." I'd pay an artists not to perform for free before I would take an unpaid gig by someone I knew had the money. Far to long have people collecting whole salaries been asking artists to do things for free...for exposure. You are literally getting paid to email me...GTFOH. I remember Julia Johnson was preparing a protest and needed performers. I asked her what the budget was, she said they didn't have one...so she offered to support artists out of her own pocket and I met her out of my own to cover the amount. Julia ain't a multi-millionaire, but she is brilliant, beautiful, and loving. She is an example of what respect looks like in action. I know that we live in a society that treats artists as after thoughts...like we do this as a hobby. Most are forced to treat our work like a side hustle because we are not adequately supported, though folks use the work we produce in every situation in life. In 2003, the Urban Institute conducted a study, which revealed that 96% of Americans valued art in their lives, while only 27% valued artists. In 2021, I submit ain't much changed. We are ordained, this is our vocation. Pay us!

Side note: WE HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS OURSELVES...if you don't respect your craft enough to be paid for it...folks who prey on your talent will absolutely devour you.