Why Most People Don't Even Know What Boycotting Means
If you've every heard someone say "boycotting doesn't work"... read this.
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In the world of activism and protest, boycotting stands as a powerful tool for expressing dissent and driving change. The call for boycotts is always strongest each time Israel bombards Gaza.
Yet, it's not uncommon to encounter misconceptions about the essence and efficacy of boycotting.
Many argue that boycotting is merely a means to drain the coffers of the Israeli government, those who support it, or large corporations… and that its impact is limited to the realm of economics.
In other words: If I don’t drink this can of Coke then Israel will have less money to buy weapons.
For the same reason, you will inevitably come across people (almost always Muslims for some reason) who say boycotting is BS because it doesn’t stop the bombs from dropping.
However, it's essential to peel back the layers of this perception and recognise that boycotting is a nuanced and multi-faceted approach.
If you think it’s only there to stop bombs from falling then use that as evidence of its uselessness… then know that it isn’t boycotting but your desire to force it to do something beyond its real aims reach that is the problem.
It’s like saying doing reps at the gym isn’t effective because your’e not holding the Mr. Olympia trophy.
It's not merely about money, but about influencing policies, encouraging support from smaller spheres of influence (with the hope of reaching larger ones as your efforts compound), and creating a long-lasting impact on our society.
In this letter, I hope to clear up this common misconception about boycotting. I'll delve into why the belief that boycotting is merely about finances is misguided, and I'll unveil the more intricate goals behind boycotting campaigns.
Moreover, I hope to demonstrate that, as consumers, we wield substantial influence to bring about positive change and shape the policies and actions of governments and corporations. It's time to understand the power we hold in our consumer choices and harness it to make a difference.
The Misconception
It's time to set the record straight: boycotting is not just about money. The belief that boycotting is solely about squeezing governments' budgets is a common misconception, and it's important to understand why this notion falls short.
And by the way… even those who participate in boycotts often have this misconception.
When it comes to governments, many of them have diverse streams of income that go beyond consumer spending.
Take, for instance, energy contracts and currency trading. These substantial revenue sources provide governments with financial resilience that makes them largely impervious to the financial impact of consumer boycotts.
In the case of Israel, their very existence depends on the billions they receive from the US and others. Trade plays a relatively insignificant role.
What's more, conflicts and wars are funded not directly by governments, but by entities like military contractors and colossal conglomerates such as BlackRock.
Policies, the motivation for war, lobbying… it’s all influenced by these entities.
These corporations play a pivotal role in sustaining conflicts, and it's their financial backing that should be our focus. By directing our efforts towards them, we aim to disrupt the regional income streams that keep these conflicts afloat.
This requires strategic thinking: can we break down these seemingly giant entities into smaller more manageable components?
Think about it.
Therefore, boycotting is not a simplistic, one-dimensional endeavour; it's a multi-faceted approach that seeks to achieve more nuanced goals. Its essence is not solely in draining governmental budgets, but in indirectly affecting governments by disrupting the financial lifelines of their backers.
The Nuanced Goals of Boycotting
Let's address another common misconception surrounding boycotting: the idea that it's a simplistic, one-dimensional tool for change. In reality, boycotting is a multifaceted approach with nuanced goals that extend far beyond the realm of finances.
Or, at least… it should be.
Here, we explore these intricate objectives and why they matter.
Influence Policy Changes: Boycotting is not just about creating financial repercussions; it's a strategic effort to influence social and political changes indirectly. When we collectively withhold support from entities that engage in practices or policies we find objectionable—like failing to condemn genocide in Gaza—we send a clear message that their actions are unacceptable. This pressure can lead to policy revisions, public commitments to change, and, in some cases, even legal reforms.
Encourage Support from Smaller Branches: One of the aims of boycotting is to inspire smaller branches of corporations and local businesses to publicly support our causes. When these businesses face economic consequences due to a boycott, they are more likely to take a stance on social and political issues to protect their reputation and bottom line. This amplifies the impact of our boycotts and spreads our message to wider audiences.
Promote Long-Term Impact: Boycotting is a means to foster long-term change, influencing corporate culture and public opinion over time. When we make conscientious choices as consumers and join boycott movements, we contribute to a broader shift in societal attitudes. This, in turn, can lead to systemic changes in how governments and corporations operate, ultimately reshaping the world around us.
The Power of Consumer Choices
Now that we've established that boycotting is not just about finances and that its goals are far more nuanced, let's explore why your consumer choices hold substantial power in influencing policy and corporate behaviour.
First and foremost, your purchasing decisions are a direct reflection of your values. By choosing to support or boycott a company or product, you send a clear message about what you stand for.
From small businesses to big brands… it needs to become overwhelmingly bad for business to have anything less than full support for Palestine and outright condemnation of Israel.
In today's interconnected world, where reputation and image matter, businesses and corporations are acutely sensitive to public opinion. They know that a groundswell of consumer dissatisfaction can have significant repercussions on their bottom line and their brand.
This means even having the right perspective on a seemingly granular issue is something worthy of demanding from brands.
And I’ll give you a relevant example:
Aren’t you sick to death of hearing this genocide be described as a “conflict”?
It’s dismissive. It aims to reduce the plight of the Palestinians and even suggests they share in the blame.
More than that… this idea of it being a conflict is the standard PR across the board. Why?
We need to use boycotting as a legitimate threat to earnings for any business that doesn’t change their designation from “conflict” to genocide.
Consumer choices have a ripple effect that extends well beyond the cash register. When you join a boycott or decide to support a cause through your spending habits, you contribute to a movement that captures public attention.
Media outlets, social networks, and the general public take notice. This increased visibility can amplify the impact of the boycott and apply pressure where it matters most.
Boycotts, when successful, lead to tangible policy changes and corporate support for social and political causes. They demonstrate that our choices as consumers are not passive acts but powerful tools for driving change. We have the capacity to shape the policies and actions of governments and corporations simply by making conscientious decisions about where we spend our money.
And look… it’s something we can all do. It’s a lifestyle choice. A moral one.
I’m sure you don’t want your money to reach the enemies. Why not make a little effort to make it mean more?
Something that never makes sense to me is Muslims will always complain about how companies de-platform them or they lose their jobs because they showed support for Palestine… yet we can’t understand how we can do the same to them.
They need us… not the other way round. That’s power.
We are 2 billion in number. That is a massive consumer demographic.
We just need to put in the reps.
Great article