the CCW
commerce philosophy
adapted from Be Oakley @ GenderFail
Chronic Cultural Work is a mixed-media publishing platform run solely by courtney wade.
Chronic cultural work is not non-for-profit, but profit-for-survival.
CCW is profit-to-continue-our-work-without-other-means-of-capital.
Most importantly, it creates profit-for-labor that challenges capitalist, ableist, neurotypist, xenophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, & colonialist systems.
[Chronic Cultural Work is a mixed-media publishing platform run solely by courtney wade. Chronic cultural work is not non-for-profit, but profit-for-survival. CCW is profit-to-continue-our-work-without-other-means-of-capital. Most importantly, it creates profit-for-labor that challenges capitalist, ableist, neurotypist, xenophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, & colonialist systems.]
Frequently considered questions
How did you come to an anti-capitalist business approach?
Bear Herbert & Marketing 4 Weirdos
Be Oakley/GenderFail & Publishing now: GenderFail’s working class guide to making a living off self publishing, 2nd Edition
Disability Servitude: From Peonage to Poverty by Ruthie-Marie Beckwith
Health Communism: A Surplus Manifesto by Beatrice Adler-Bolton & Artie Vierkant
How does this impact your approach to production?
I have been searching for ethical production & fulfillment services that align with CCW’s values.
I currently use Printful, which has committed to enacting policies in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act. None of the products I sell are sourced from Isr*el. This is an efficient but imperfect option.
I have looked into union-produced goods, but the platforms available require non-profit status. I also need to look into what these platforms consider union-produced, especially in the non-profit sphere with the prevalence of Section 14c certificates that enable subminimum wage to be paid to disabled workers.
Ideally, I would be able to afford the materials & time it would take to complete everything within CCW itself. That’s the dream! But right now, I have two jobs & am finishing up my dissertation. I don’t have the time and capital.
I am working to change capitalism as an anti-capitalist & I am simultaneously committed to manage surviving it while perpetuating the least harm possible.
How does this impact your approach to sales?
I am working within the limited squarespace tech to set up a sliding scale for all products. I am also open to donations! Bear Herbert talks about it being okay to ask (and getting okay with asking) for what you need. CCW is profit-for-survival, and your business contributes to meeting the basic needs of a white, disabled, neuro/gender/generally queer, sick/immunocompromised, nonbinary cultural worker.