You Can’t Protest Your Way Out of Poverty (The People's Sick Day): Financial Literacy Beats Strikes

There’s a growing trend on TikTok gaining traction called "The People’s Sick Day" — a coordinated strike and protest that encourages workers to call out from their jobs and for consumers to withhold spending. The goal is to push back against corporate mistreatment and systemic underpayment by creating economic disruption.

I understand the frustration that fuels this movement. The intent — to challenge the status quo and demand better treatment — is both valid and, to a degree, admirable. Historically, protests have been essential for driving social awareness and generating short-term wins. And, to their credit, many left-leaning movements are highly effective at rallying support and creating visible momentum.

However, where these movements often fall short is in building sustainable economic change. Even when short-term goals are achieved — such as minimum wage increases or momentary policy shifts — the long-term impact is frequently diluted by inflation, lack of infrastructure, and, more critically, the absence of a cultural shift around financial behavior within communities. Without accompanying education or systemic financial empowerment, many of these “victories” end up being symbolic rather than transformational.

It reminds me of the old proverb: "Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime." What we’re seeing now is a movement demanding the fish — pressuring corporations or government entities to deliver short-term relief. But without equipping individuals with financial knowledge — how to manage debt, budget wisely, invest, and build wealth — the deeper issues of inequality and instability remain unresolved.

If the goal is to break cycles of economic disparity, then financial literacy needs to be at the center of the conversation. Teaching communities how to build credit, start businesses, invest intelligently, and manage generational wealth offers a more sustainable path forward. Real power comes not from symbolic gestures or three-day protests — it comes from reshaping the economic habits and understanding of everyday people.