Over the last couple of years, I feel like I’ve noticed more and more a sense of responsibility for who I am and what I’ve been given. As a “Photoshop Guy,” I would tour and meet a whole bunch of folks—and every now and then, someone would say, “Thanks for representing.” To me, I just thought I was being me. Little by little, though, I started to realize that I couldn’t even look back and recognize who me really was. I guess now they call it social media burnout.
I often tell students the story of the starfish—where an old man is walking on a beach and starts throwing starfish back into the water. When a boy asks what difference it makes to throw some of them back when there are thousands of miles of beach, the man picks up a starfish, tosses it into the water, and says:
“It made a difference to that one.”
I really needed to start listening to my own advice.
So, I started exploring how far I could push everything I know—coding, music, videos, storytelling. If I stopped focusing on being “one of the most interesting people on social media,” I could use my skills to help locally. I turned my attention to community organizations and have been having a great time doing it.
But I wanted to do something that felt like a real way to give back to my community. Vigia was one of the projects that came out of that. There are a couple of others that I’ve been working on for years that I’m excited to put out there. They’ve been a long time in the works, with tons of setbacks—but now, they’re seeing a resurgence with all the possibilities AI brings.
There’s a huge conversation to be had about how AI is poised to turbocharge the next wave of digital redlining in so many communities. While we worry about disintermediation—AI replacing X number of jobs—the truth is, so many communities that look like the ones I grew up in never even had a chance at those jobs. What about them? The AI race is moving at 10 million miles an hour, and entire communities—Black, Brown, Rust Belt, Appalachia—don’t even know there is a race, let alone where to find their sneakers.
This is going to be resource-intensive, but it’s worth looking at. However, I don’t think slapping a “donate here” button on initiatives meant for people who need the help makes sense. It just doesn’t feel right. At the same time, I’ve been thinking about how to use the extra time I have—when I’m not teaching, freelancing, or taking pictures for The Gram—to really lean in and work on these solutions.
So—I pulled the donation button from Vigia (which made me feel better) and set up “Products” on BuyMeACoffee.com/aboutrc. From simple donations to picture downloads, half a non-crypto trading card (I mean, who doesn’t want half a card?), and even two $50,000 prints of my mom.
Imagine if some tech bro stumbles onto the site and wants to clear their conscience with a print of a tamalera? That’d be neat.
It’s also why I released El Camino on Spotify and Apple Music. Why let it sit in a library when it could be out there doing something?
The goal? Close the door on the old “RC” and use all my ADD headspace to work on solutions that actually help people. I’ll still take pictures here and there, and consult with folks who need help with photo and video. But I’m leaving behind the whole “influencer” thing and focusing on helping. I’m even thinking about setting up a foundation for this… but baby steps.
I’ll still use everything I know—but it’ll be re-shifted. And hopefully, it’ll create something with real, lasting impact instead of just likes.
I’ve been blessed with the privilege to get here. I’ll feel so much better spending the back nine of my time trying to give it to others.
Figured if I put it out there, I’d have to be accountable for it. Nervous… but excited.
Thanks,
RC
