So here I am, an executive director of a pretty damned successful social enterprise saying that I don't believe in charity.
"WHAT!? HAVE YOU NO CONSCIENCE!? THINK OF THE [Insert INEQUALITY]+[Insert ETHNICITY]+[insert GROUP]!" I hear some of you say.
Now before I get lynched, let me say that, I think the work of charities such as the British Red Cross and Comic Relief is absolutely flipping fantastic and have changed the lives of countless people for the better. Look I've even linked them.
Acts of charity = wonderful
I simply don't believe in the system of "Charity". (You can stop foaming at the mouth now.)
By definition charity is reliant on voluntary contribution, giving and donation.
Maybe it's my pseudo communist upbringing or I just didn't like sharing my sweets as a kid. But I'm not all that comfortable with leaving the income generation of my organisation in the hands of a guilt ridden and morally conflicted public or large companies looking for a tax break.
Especially in this financial climate.
Oh, and Some of the holier than though attitudes in the charity sector are actually quite funny, if a little misguided. "Ewww profit. That's evil. If you can make a profit you can contribute more".
Really?
Being able to trade and generate profit is not evil. It's just a by product of income exceeding expenditure, and it helps you to remain sustainable in order to help even more people. You can still be doing the super work that benefits mankind and run an equitable and sustainable organisation. Just like Batman.
Oh and on a random topic. Charity muggers. It's like 28 Days Later, except the zombies are wearing [insert CHARITY] T-shirts. Good grief.
What would Batman do....?
