Why Boycotting Should Be a Lifestyle and Not an Event

I think I've got to take a small bit of pride that my personality, flaws and all, have prevented me from jumping on trends.  I didn't feel compelled to dump ice water on myself, I'm not latest-dance-craze guy, and rarely (only because I may have and it escapes my memory right now) get moved to hashtag an alleged tragedy or watercolor my profile pic.  Not attempting to be heartless or drive myself to be the odd one out, but when I spend a couple more minutes thinking about the various causes and the message my participation would send, I usually find out that it doesn't line up with my assigned purpose and that the "awareness" really isn't the answer.  Come to think about it, that's what it is...I'm obsessed with the answer, the solution, and not the struggle.  And while you spent the last 4 or 5 years standing in lines while battling a post-Thanksgiving food coma; praying that you don't have to punch someone or that someone doesn't punch you...over a blender...I've been getting outstanding sleep.  So, congratulations America for finally starting to catch up with me and leave the Black (Thursday) Friday fiasco alone.  Well, some of you.  At any rate, there's another level you should hope to achieve.

You've heard the reports by now...10% decrease in spending during 2015 Black Friday season.  Now before you get all power to the people, consider that online spending during the same time and on Cyber Monday is projected to have a 12% increase.  Turns out that the part time activists did indeed shut down the stores, but the couldn't handle the biggest store of all...the internet.  Nevertheless, the reduction made headlines and sent a sense of achievement to and through millions.  I suppose we can learn the true effectiveness of this move sometime after January 2, 2016...when all the real Christmas spending is accounted for.  After all, I believe for some, the decision to not spend on Black Friday was to bring awareness to the importance of the African-American dollar...and the African-American in general.  And that decision is a good start...but it's only just that.

Again, if it's all about spending, we don't need to make space on the mantle for a trophy until the Christmas season is over.  So what if Black Friday spending is down, if overall spending is up...the boycott wasn't fully effective.  But that's only because there wasn't a clear plan after that.  But what if one was developed?

 In fact, why can't one be developed...that can last around 10 years?  Or at least one with a goal that commands continuation until the objective is met.  The University of Missouri situation has shown us the way.  Former school president Tim Wolfe wasn't thinking about Concerned Student 1950 and their demands...that was until the football team decided they weren't going to play until a change was made.  No institution is in the position to lose millions of dollars; and that's what Mizzo was facing.  So, say what you want, Missouri didn't remove the president because of protests, but because keeping him threatened serious revenue.  What does this tell us?  Well, what I think we all know is that you can't fight oppression with something that the oppressor (not calling Missouri an oppressor, don't know enough to make that allegation, but you get my drift) isn't concerned about, but only with what he holds valuable.  But going further then that truth is the fact that the oppressor will rarely change his object of desire.  To that end, boycott should be life.

Do you know how many times a week I hear from Believers of how reality TV and other programs are sending the world to hell...but they themselves are faithful viewers?  Or how this company is racist and this company is sexist, but they give those companies marked up dollars?  With Christianity being the major religion in America, and with African-American product and goods consumption percentages remaining unnecessarily high, it's ridiculous to think that by continuing this support to corporations that they will comply with your social and spiritual needs when they are serving the needs you clearly tell them you really have.  If we were really that serious about our causes entire companies would fold and policies and personnel would rapidly change.  The question is, are we that serious?

How about this: don't buy from the store that allows the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors; it doesn't matter if it's a thriving chain or a local corner spot.  Refuse to let your home be counted in the ratings of shows that degrade women, that is if you really care about the degradation of women.  Do some research on the products you, we adore and find out what they do for your community...our global community.  Then ask yourself, do you want to continue to allow them to do "that" or to not do "this'?  Family, this is easy work.  

But it does require honesty and commitment.  The truth is if your dollar goes toward the object of "your" enemy then you are actually in agreement with it.  You can march and post all you like, but it has been and will always be about the dollars.  My concern is that some of us portray to be so enlightened that we believe it's deeper than that.  But it's not at all.  Case and point, Martin Luther King, Jr.s March on Washington was formally titled the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Jobs first, freedom later.