Boycotts: A tool that can change the tide

So let's organize and get this done!

Last night, House Republicans passed a resolution that will devaste our healthcare system and economy by 217 to 215.

In light of this, it’s easy to forget that the people hold two important bargaining chips —our money and our time.

They need us for labor. Without us, the economy cannot function and their investments will tank. A growing movement is gathering around a general strike (Sign up HERE). To be frank, I know that many Americans cannot afford to miss a half day of work, let alone a week or a month. How, then, do we harm their bottom line?

We boycott.

A long-term boycott can bring about change. To be successful, it must be organized, target vulnerable companies, and receive support from “big names.”

Here’s an excellent article referencing a study on boycotts if you’d like to learn more. You can also study successful boycotts from our nation’s history like the United Farm Worker’s efforts and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

If you're ready, do these two things:

1. Join the national economic blackout day on Friday, February 28. Purchase nothing. More information can be found on The People’s Union.

2. Adopt a boycott lifestyle and invite others to join. Turn it into a community effort.

Here are three steps to making boycotting a part of your daily life.

RESTRICT

Restrict your purchases to essentials only. Here’s how:

• Delay unnecessary purchases.

• Avoid eating out (or eat at a local hotspot instead of a chain).

• Hardline boycott Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Restrict our purchases at national chains.

• When you can, shop from this LIST and others that highlight ethical businesses.

• When you can’t (like if your town only has a Walmart), do this:

  • Select small brands instead of products from large corporations.

  • Make a monthly trip to a larger town for shelf-stable items.

Buy essentials. Skip the extras.

SUPPORT

Support small, local, or ethical businesses.

• Support small shops online. Find them on:

  • Ebay

  • Social Media Shops

  • Thrift Books, Biblio.com or Bookshop.org

• Many of the products on Amazon, can be found elsewhere with a simple search. Buy it direct or from another retailer.

• Shop local.

  • Many local bookshops and other businesses can order products on your behalf.

  • Go to fairs and farmer’s markets. If you like a brand, get their card.

  • Shop secondhand. Thrift stores, yard sales, auctions, and OfferUp are good places to search.

• Shop ethically. I maintain a growing list of ethical brands on this LIST. Comment with other worthy inclusions.

CANCEL

Cancel subscriptions, credit cards, and transfer your accounts.

• Cancel subscriptions and apps. Don’t forget streaming services.

• Cancel credit cards or stop usings them.

• Transfer your accounts to banks who support DEI or to local credit unions.