NOT JUST FOR ME — FOR OTHERS TOO

If I see one more TikTok video of a jobseeker wanting to kill themselves because they can’t find work, I think I’m going to rip the hair out of my fucking head. Oh wait — my sadistic son of a bitch of a brother already ripped clumps out when I was younger, but not before trying to light me on fire with a makeshift blowtorch. Luckily, I was a tomboy and stronger than him, and I was able to fight him off each time, so it only singed what was left of my hair instead of causing third-degree burns to my face.

Fast forward to 15: my Mommy Dearest (except we were poor) sat me down and told me I needed to find a place to live. No guidance, no support, no nothing — just a severely abused and fucked-up teen who endured what most people can’t even begin to fathom, trying to navigate the impossible, only to be faced with hardship after hardship, which has had a severe impact on my mental health.

Sort of like the trauma I’ve endured over the last 13 years and counting when it comes to securing a career. If you’re not hating on me because I’m humbly gifted, you’re discriminating against me for my disabilities. Sadly, I’ve got science on my side to back that fact. Moral of the story: I had to stop appearing on camera to land my last two roles. Fuck each and every last one of you!

13,000+ job applications — to the point of losing track — all to no avail. I can’t even quantify it anymore. I bet that makes you all feel really good on the inside, like really, really good. Unlike how I feel when responding to the countless and disgustingly obscene number of rejections I’ve received over the years. Now, I just apply so I can brilliantly tell you all to fuck right off — and rightfully so.

Halfway into my search, I swore to myself that every rejection I received would be met with the truth. Prove me wrong and I’ll eat my words. Go ahead, enlighten me — but you won’t, because you can’t, because I know which end is up, and I am so thankful I’m nothing like you cliquey ignormousness.

Are you even aware that it’s taking people years to find employment? And while there are a lot of variables at play, our government has allowed monopolies to form, starvation wages to stagnate, and companies to outsource American jobs abroad for cheaper labor.  Factor in AI and the catastrophe that’s been brewing for over a decade has finally come to a head, nepotism and inept recruiters aside.

To be robbed of opportunity after opportunity for being humbly gifted and having disabilities that are out of my control is nothing short of devastatingly disheartening. Selective DEI for you, followed by: “I just want to say thanks, because your hate is what gave me the strength.” — Eminem

The strength to continue to fight back in the face of hatred and discrimination.

Jamie LaBree

P.S. There's only one of me… and lots of you!