What do “TikTok trends” like “She Deserved the Purse” really tell us? Apart from the sorry state of journalism such that the Washington Post chose to report on it, which is how I found out about it? In sum, people film themselves putting cash and/or gift cards in places where they believe a “deserving” person, in this case a mom or really any parent caring for a baby, will find it. It is considered so obvious as not to require any explanation that in the United States, those caring for the young are strapped for funds and hence could use a little unexpected bonus to ease the financial strain.

Said financial strain came to the attention of the TikTok world via the image of a purse amidst the baby care products. Meaning a mom who had picked out a purse to buy put it back so as to purchase items for her baby instead.

What these trends tell us is that people not only feel good about giving money to people they don’t know, they are happy to flaunt their generosity, making highly polished videos of themselves in the act. I mean these people have done their make up, their nails, selected attractive outfits – yes I am aware they are out for likes, but the fact that THIS is what gets the likes means that their audience too is actually into the idea of redistributing the wealth to people who need it – and this is the key – NOT ONLY FOR THEIR NEEDS, but also their WANTS – i.e. the purse.

Remember when Bernie Sanders would ask his rally crowds, if they were ready to do something for someone they didn’t know? This is what public programs are.

When we pay into these programs through taxes, we are all doing the equivalent of She Deserved the Purse, albeit without the fanfare. Now it is not my intention to criticize anyone for wanting public recognition for the good they do. Of course I respect those who do their part without making a show of it but what if we could channel the desire for recognition of our own good behavior into a collective recognition for a country that takes care of its people so that going around putting money in baby products would NOT become a Tik Tok trend?

I find this entire “She deserved the purse” trend shameful on many levels

1. Compare the coverage of this on everything from the Mommy blogs to the daytime talk shows with the coverage of a national program like SNAP benefits. People filming themselves putting cash in the baby aisles are spending at least $100 each, often more. SNAP benefits, which go to FOOD, are in the neighborhood of $200-290 / month per person (closer to 200 as family size increases). And to qualify for SNAP benefits the income threshold for a family of 4 is $2600 per month. Two adults earning minimum wage working 40 hours / week would COMBINED, earn $2320. (7.25 / hr x 40 hrs x 4 weeks). So yes they would qualify for SNAP, which would provide an additional $975.
2. People find it heartwarming that people are moved to help others as evidenced by the popularity of this activity, also known as “challenge.” But how many more people would be helped by SNAP benefits, by increasing the poverty line and raising the minimum wage? Why are we not demanding these things?
3. Much of our economic insecurity that drives performances of charity for basic needs, go fund me pages and the like would be alleviated if we had publicly funded universal health care. Why are we not demanding this?
4. On the contrary, those who demand these things are dismissed, derided and derailed even within their own party that could have won with this platform and delivered results for people.

Not to be a spoilsport – even if actually I do want to spoil this particular sport – so how about this. Why not BOTH? What if every person who filmed themselves putting $20 inside a pack of baby diapers also posted “Fight for $15” which honestly by now should be “Fight for $20.” And “Medicare for All NOW.”

Imagine if we could be like those countries that provide a year of paid maternity leave, or had 35 hour work weeks. How much healthier we would be, physically, mentally, socially and economically if we had free public health care, public spaces and public transportation and have time and energy to go out about with our snazzy new purse.