When my book (Separated) was published, I used the advance first to pay someone to do my TOC cause lord was I exhausted... THEN I divided the rest 4 ways. Yes, I kept a fourth, & the other fourths were given to the 3 families central in Separated. Here's why it matters 1/ 
As a researcher/advocate who wrote a book that was about people's suffering, I had no intention of making money off of the story in ways that did not benefit the community itself. We, as authors, MUST know the difference between addressing suffering and profiting from it 2/
Can you imagine if community members welcomed researchers/authors into their homes because they knew that their lives would be better for it, not "I get to share my story," but their literal lives, the next week/year would benefit from our work? I want to write in this world 3/
But also, artists of color/activists are ALWAYS donating the proceeds of our work to our communities. It's what it means for your art and your activism to be the same thing. We can't just separate them. Our success is our family's success. 4/ kcrw.com/culture/articl…
And artists of color shouldn't HAVE to donate the money we make back to movements that they are a part of anyway (though most proudly do). That money should come from those outside of the community and movement, partially to atone for their part in the oppression 5/
in truth, this is part of why I donated the money as well. As I said in my book (Separated), I am a light skinned Latino, highly educated, & I, like other citizens, benefit from the US government oppression of undocumented immigrants, who we exploit for their labor. /6
I also have been mentored by many wonderful authors who care more about improving the lives of our communities than anything else, including friend, colleague, & BFF @CastanedaHeide (who I owe a revision, sorry been busy 🤷🏽♂️), who donated ALL her book fund to the community /7
I want to be VERY clear that I am not sharing this for applause at all. As I said, I wish for a world in which artists of color could KEEP the money from their art, not have to use it to reform the policing system or keep their neighbors from being deported. /8
I'm sharing it so that folks are aware that artists of color are often prevented from building savings because their money goes back to their communities, & so those who make money documenting the tragedy of others can likewise be called to support those communities. 9/
As a professor, I have loads of privilege, including a steady income no matter how well or not well Separated does. I'm aware of this. But, of course, I hope it does well. Because every time another copy of Separated sells, the community will benefit from it.
Sorry yawl TOC is table of contents my bad!
