Hip-hop figure Dee Barnes says she is homeless.
On March 15, Barnes tweeted a link to a current GoFundMe page titled “Help Dee Barnes”, saying she’s homeless.
After her tweet, the hip-hop community did not hesitate to pitch in and contribute, with her combined total – up to $28,000, currently – more than five times the initial goal of $5,000, reports variety.com.
Barnes tweeted: “Thank you to everyone for your prayers, your support, your messages, phone calls and positive vibrations, I am profoundly grateful to you all.”
The GoFundMe description begins with the statement: “Standing in our own truth, not the definitions or the expectations, is powerful, and this is my truth.”
The former “Pump It Up!” host made history by becoming the first female rap journalist to have a broadcast television show, but things took a left turn when Dr. Dre assaulted her in 1991.
Barnes told HipHopDX: “I had never asked for public help before, but I then remembered a long time ago while I was going through the assault trial in 1991, people were sending me checks for my legal fees. I never cashed any of them – not one – but knowing I had that support kept me strong enough to continue to face each court date.”
“My goal with the campaign is to regain stability, which is imperative for survivors of any trauma.”
She also used the opportunity to be an inspiration to others who may be facing hardships in their lives.
Nearly one month after the GoFundMe was created on February 21, Barnes shared that she was offered her first industry job in 28 years.
