An anti-capitalist bookkeeper’s examples of transparent transactions
Below you will find some examples and resources about how to move money with attention to accountability, class & race positionality, and through an equity lens. Working and living in late stage capitalism is filled with paradox and evoking purity politics doesn't always serve collaboration. What does serve us well is strong discernment processes to understand our own social location in the context of the structures we are trying to transform. Below are some examples and resources to support this ongoing process.
How much does this cost?
We are committed to making this workshop series available to people across class and economic access. To support this commitment, we have devised a sliding scale which aims to take into account both the inequitable distribution of wealth in our society as well as the value of the labor required to offer this workshop. As white Ashkenazi class-privileged people committed to resource redistribution, we will be contributing 10% of gross earnings from this circle to BIPOC-leaders. Prior circles have supported Black Jewish Liberation Collective, EDOT, AMMUD, Jews of Color Sanctuary, and Atlanta Jews of Color Council.
We encourage participants to self-select into paying the amount that best correlates to your class position. Here are two resources that we’ve found helpful to understand class in the U.S:
- “About Class” / Class Action, a cross-class group working towards Economic Justice
- “Class Markers” / SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) on Class markers and why class matters in organizing for racial justice.
- “Class distinctions and class brackets” / Resource Generation an organization supporting young people in equitable wealth, land, and power redistribution.
To support deep connection and learning, we are intentionally capping participation to support an intimate and deep experience. Since there are a limited number of spaces available we might reach out to you to talk more after you’ve applied. Priority will be given to people who apply in teams or small groups.
We do not want lack of access to capital to get in the way of anyone participating in this circle. To dismantle oppressive systems, we commit to bring everyone along. Below the payment-scale we share a bit about each of the payment levels we’ve put forth. There are enough resources in our community for all of us to do the learning and healing needed to dismantle systemic oppression.
Payment scale:
| PAYMENT LEVEL | Description |
| $1800 per person | Full fee |
| $1350 per person | 25% discount |
| $900 per person | 50% discount |
| $450 per person | 75% discount |
| $0 per person | All are welcome |
The zero dollar price is for those who struggle to meet basic needs and paying for this workshop would be a significant hardship.
The discounted prices are provided for those who are able to meet basic needs and may have less expendable money due to factors including but not limited to: income, consumer or healthcare debt, and dependents. Please pay at the highest level you can, though it may be a sacrifice, it would not create hardship.
The full fee is the actual cost of the workshop. If you choose a registration price below the full fee you are receiving a discount.
We’re inspired by the East Point Peace Academy’s commitment to Gift Economics. Here’s some of their wisdom:
“Gift economics is a different way of interacting with money and understanding what something is “worth.”
In a Gift model, goods and services are not sold as they are in a market model of economics.
Rather, they are given freely with no requirement of an exchange.
We believe that the lessons and teachings we give and receive in our workshops are priceless.
At the same time, we do have needs as an organization operating within the current economic and social structures.
Therefore, all participants in our community workshops are offered an opportunity to support our work.
No one is required to give, and no amount is considered too small or too large.
Here’s another way, a visual way to help you make sense of where you are on the scale.
Payment scale language and visual adapted from Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts & Cunning Apothecary
How much should I contribute?
Welcome to the Honor Native Land Tax calculator! We created this calculator to help you think about your relationship to money and the land you’re on, because we know that money and finances can bring up a lot for each of us.
One of the goals of this project is to redistribute wealth from settlers to Indigenous people. As part of this process, it is important that we as settlers reckon with our entitlement to and possession of wealth. Our class conditioning strongly shapes our values, beliefs, and expectations. This calculator is a tool to help bring some clarity about a meaningful monthly contribution. We encourage you to think about your individual, personal relationship to the land and to settler colonialism as you consider your contribution.
The calculator is designed for individuals; if you share finances in your household, we recommend that each adult fill out the calculator and add the suggested amounts together as a starting point. This calculator is not perfect or “the truth” about what your contribution should be—you know your circumstances best. If they are not reflected in the options that we have laid out, pick those that are closest to your experience. If your situation is in flux, do your best and know you can always increase or decrease your donation amount as needed.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CALCULATOR (and contribute!?)
Additional Tools & Resources
- Why class matters by Showing Up for Racial Justice
- Resources about classism by Class Action
- How to make the sliding scale better for you & your clients by Alexis J. Cunningfolk
- Where am I on the sliding scale from Green Bottle
- Brave Questions: Recaculating Pay Equity by Mala Nagarajan & Richael Faithful
- Class Distinction & Income Brackets from Resource Generation
- A short piece from Amelia Mae on this topic
Amelia Mae Paradise 
