How a charitable organization’s recent activities caused a mother in difficulty to feel embarrassed and disrespected.

The internet is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and evil. It can connect people worldwide, share ideas and knowledge, and help those in need. But, unfortunately, it can also spread lies and misinformation and tear people down. Such is the case with the recent controversy surrounding a woman named “Real Diamond” and her alleged diaper scam.

In Baltimore, Maryland, USA, the community members are divided over a recent post by Valerie Matthews, the co-founder and executive director of Catherine’s Family and Youth Services Inc.

The post, which has caused quite a stir, featured a young woman holding what appeared to be a newborn baby next to a photo of several reams of diapers that were listed for $20 on Facebook Marketplace. The diapers were allegedly received for free from a nonprofit Pantry. While Valerie’s friends initially showed support for her post, emotions began to quickly turn and become divided as the post began to spread.

In response to the accusations of selling items she received for free, Real Diamond defended herself, stating that she was not scamming anyone but selling diapers that her son could no longer use. She claimed,

“My son couldn’t fit the diapers, so I sold them. I needed the money. I don’t owe nobody an explanation. Stay blessed.”

Later, she clarified that she only sold Pampers brand diapers and gave away the free diapers she had received from a nonprofit pantry.

To corroborate Real Diamond’s explanation, Naee Bae, the woman allegedly purchasing the diapers, claimed she was only sold Pampers and was given the other diapers for free. She also accused Valerie of “tearing another black woman down” in the below video response to Valerie’s accusatory post.

One woman, Rivera N. Susan, came to Valerie’s defense and spoke about visiting the Pantry, saying,

“Valerie is a very helpful person. You could of taken the pampers to her; she would have gave you another size to exchange those and even help you with more than $20 because, at the end of the day, she’s only helping us with things she shouldn’t even.” She concludes, “To sell to someone else what you got free is giving very sad life for me.”

Valerie’s friends quickly reassured her that such setbacks were part and parcel of any business venture. Will J Hanna II noted,

“Don’t let the minority take away from what you do for the majority. It’s unfortunate, and it happens. But like anything else in business, 10% may get wasted, but the other 90% is fruitful. Focus on the 90 and pray for the 10.”

Most people who benefited from Valerie’s good deeds outweighed those who allegedly exploited her generosity.

Many of Valerie’s friends echoed Will J Hanna II’s sentiments that such incidents should not deter her from her calling. Instead, they encouraged her to focus on her positive impact on the lives of so many people in need.

Doula Angel provided a relatable personal experience. She shares an incident where despite helping nine families in need, one of them had taken advantage of her goodwill by bragging about “how they go to all of these places and rack up on everything and weren’t really in need.” However, this did not diminish her positive impact on the other eight families needing her help.

She follows up by saying,

“You could have made the post without putting her picture though. Because at the end of the day, we are trying to do our part in our communities, BUT once items leave our hands, it’s no longer under our control. Whenever I choose to give something away, I do it without expectations of the receiver.”

Many agreed with Doula Angel, with Numba Cinco providing an alternative solution saying,

“What would you rather her have done with the diapers, dispose of them? Return them? It’s unprofessional to blast someone like this; you could’ve posted a general post letting people know you guys don’t find that acceptable or to return unopened merchandise to the company. A private message to this young woman would’ve been much more appropriate.”

The recent incident has sparked a heated discussion on “help” in minority communities. While some argue that those who are meant to be helping should do so from the heart, others believe that posting the girl’s photo violated her privacy and dignity. In addition, many have expressed disappointment in the woman who posted the photo and vowed not to support her.

This incident has highlighted a more significant issue that plagues many minority communities. Those in power and privilege are often quick to judge and look down on those they are meant to support and uplift. This dangerous mentality can further marginalize and disempower already vulnerable communities. Instead of coming from a place of empathy and understanding, they act as though they are doing those they are helping a favor rather than recognizing their privilege and the systemic barriers that many of these individuals face.

It is essential that those who are meant to be helping understand the importance of coming from a place of humility and respect. By recognizing their privilege and the challenges faced by those they are meant to be helping, they can better understand how to support and uplift individuals in a way that is both empowering and respectful. Ultimately, we can create meaningful change and build stronger, more resilient communities by working together and coming from a place of understanding.

One commenter Cameal Butler illustrated this in her lengthy response to many criticizing the young woman for not getting the right diaper size to begin with, stating,

“Pampers can be cut different. I’ve got their pampers before, and one of the young ladies I help said they were cut smaller and gave them back to me. Everyone doesn’t know how helpful Valerie Matthews is, and everyone can’t just up and ask strangers for more help. If she got them and they couldn’t fit the baby, and she sold them, they are now hers to sell.”

She continued,

“If she is not intentionally getting the pampers to sell them, then extend some grace. Even with her being able to exchange them, what if she couldn’t get a ride? What if the baby needed meds?”

“Like we also have to stop being so quick to think the worst of people. At the end of the day, people in need life be different, and they make choices based on that.”

She concluded,

“Some of us will never understand; meanwhile, some of us will never forget! She was in line because she was in need, period. Let’s not gang up and bully a mother in need!”

It is important to note that nonprofit organizations play a vital role in communities nationwide, providing assistance and support to those in need. However, it is also essential to ensure that the privacy and dignity of individuals are respected and protected at all times. While the intentions of Valerie’s post may have been to raise awareness and highlight the issue of individuals selling items meant to be given away for free, it is evident that the approach taken was not well received by all community members.

As the conversation surrounding Valerie’s post continues, everyone must recognize the importance of respecting privacy and dignity. While it is understandable to want to raise awareness and bring attention to issues affecting the community, it is vital to do so in a respectful way that maintains the privacy of individuals.

Recently, social media has become an incredibly powerful tool, capable of amplifying even the smallest of voices. Its capabilities allow it to spread information to millions within seconds. However, with great power comes great responsibility.

This recent controversy has highlighted the importance of fact-checking before spreading information on social media. It is essential to ensure that the information we share is accurate and not merely hearsay or rumors. Inaccurate information can have far-reaching consequences, and in some cases, it can damage people’s reputations and livelihoods.

Moreover, this controversy also sheds light on the struggles that many people face in their day-to-day lives. For example, providing for one’s family can be daunting, especially in today’s economic climate. The need for money can sometimes push people to do things they would not normally do.

We should take a step back and understand why people might engage in certain behaviors. For instance, if someone sells diapers for $20, we should not be too quick to condemn them. Instead, we should try and understand the root cause of the issue, which is poverty.

Poverty often forces people to engage in activities they would not otherwise do. Rather than “blasting” them on social media, providing them with resources that can help alleviate their financial struggles would be more helpful.

This controversy highlights the power of social media and the importance of fact-checking before spreading information. It also brings attention to many people’s struggles, such as poverty and the need to provide for their families. We should work to approach these issues with empathy and understanding rather than with judgment and condemnation. We should strive to create a world where everyone can lead a dignified life, free from financial struggles and the need to engage in activities that might compromise their ethics.