Do You Boycott?

[agzg]

I don't like pinkwashing, either, 33. Many breast cancer campaigns divorce the actual woman and her life from "saving her breasts."

I actually think I might have given Dee an earful about that over the week - Dee was it you I was with when that guy had the "Save the boobies" t-shirt on?

God, I almost gave him an earful.

FWIW, avoiding Exxon stations (or BP), doesn't matter. Exxon oil is still getting into your tank at some point - they take what they drill and sell it all over the place, in addition to buying other companies' oil and putting it in your tank. Oil boycotts are only effective if it's the refineries that are boycotting them.

[pshsx1]

I don't buy food from Chic-Fil-A and I don't give money to the Salvation Army for starters.

If it is in my ability to not use, I will not use it. You have to keep in mind that I'm a 21 year old without a career or a car, so it's a bit difficult to really financially stand a ground against certain places/things.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by agzg

I don't like pinkwashing, either, 33. Many breast cancer campaigns divorce the actual woman and her life from "saving her breasts."

I actually think I might have given Dee an earful about that over the week - Dee was it you I was with when that guy had the "Save the boobies" t-shirt on?

God, I almost gave him an earful.

FWIW, avoiding Exxon stations (or BP), doesn't matter. Exxon oil is still getting into your tank at some point - they take what they drill and sell it all over the place, in addition to buying other companies' oil and putting it in your tank. Oil boycotts are only effective if it's the refineries that are boycotting them.

Well, at the time in my 17 year old mind, this is the only thing I could do that I thought would make a difference and I did not know at the time how things worked in the oil industry (remember no internet back then for easy access to info on refineries/oil industry etc...). I did write them a letter about how displeased I was with their company and received one back, which I still have.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This is me, too, but I voted in solidarity with agzg.

I'm not much of an organized boycott person, though I have been more so in the past. If I do boycott, I tend to do it quietly, and I'll reconsider from time to time.

I do think that franchises (Chik-fil-A, Exxon, BP) present complicated issues with regard to boycotts. Who is hurt more from me withholding my patronage, the big corporation or the local franchise owner who's just trying to make a living and provide income for his employees, and who may be a very good local corporate citizen? Should I punish the franchisee for corporate decisions she has no control over?

I guess I don't really care if the local owner is screwed-if they are in bed so to speak with exxon or chik fil a that is their problem. No one held a gun to their head making them open said franchise. I guess I am heartless

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by agzg

I don't like pinkwashing, either, 33. Many breast cancer campaigns divorce the actual woman and her life from "saving her breasts."

I actually think I might have given Dee an earful about that over the week - Dee was it you I was with when that guy had the "Save the boobies" t-shirt on?

God, I almost gave him an earful.

FWIW, avoiding Exxon stations (or BP), doesn't matter. Exxon oil is still getting into your tank at some point - they take what they drill and sell it all over the place, in addition to buying other companies' oil and putting it in your tank. Oil boycotts are only effective if it's the refineries that are boycotting them.

The shirt said "Save second base" and yes, it was me! Who else were you with all last week?

[agzg]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The shirt said "Save second base" and yes, it was me! Who else were you with all last week?

I forget all the people I aim my righteous indignation at in a week's time. It's a lot.

[ASTalumna06]

Go, Mayor Menino!

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/...m_meninos.html

I'm not really boycotting Chik-fil-a as I never really ate there to begin with. I think I've eaten at one of these restaurants twice in my life.. and that was because it was the only thing around when I needed to grab a quick lunch when traveling for work.

I grew up in New England where they didn't really have Chik-fil-a. I just looked up their locations, and they're only in two NE states - New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and all three locations are in malls. I remember there being one in the mall I would go to all the time growing up (their only NH location), but I don't remember people lined up there to get food. It was just kind of there. (Same thing with Arby's - I didn't even know it was a major chain until I moved to PA).

I don't know that I've ever really "boycotted" any company.. but maybe that's because I've never come across a situation in which I've felt that I needed to boycott.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek?

Because those are the only groups it's a-ok for supposedly open minded and inclusive liberals to hate? <ducking>

Um...cuz liberals can't be Christian, right? The Republicans hold the patent on Christianity, and we didn't hear about it?

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

Pretty much. If I disagree with a company/product/person/etc. then I can take my business elsewhere but won't necessarily demand others do the same. I may say "Ooooh girl, did you hear?" or "Guess what happened to me today?" and share what peeved me but my feelings won't be hurt if my friends continue to shop there. The exception to this is when a product has something dangerous in it that has been linked to an illness or deaths. Then I will warn loved ones of what data I've found (this has only happened twice).

It's not a company but a this is still a good example of why I said "It depends on how badly I need the service": I have done a lot of volunteer work for humane societies and the ASPCA and, subsequently, I don't wear fur. However, my beliefs are strong enough that I don't wear fur but not enough for me to throw away my figure skates and 75% of my shoes because they're all made of leather.

[AOII Angel]

I am boycotting Susan G. Komen, and as a mammographer, it does come up. I also dislike the pink washing, but I adore my "Save the Haboobs" shirt (not for the message but because it uses the word haboob which caused an idiotfest in AZ last year over using an Arabic word that might offend returning soldiers to describe dust storms! Oh the horror!)

I will be boycotting Chik FIL A, mainly because I do not want to contribute my money to a corporation that will in turn give it to organizations that are hateful and oppressive. Many people I love are gay, and I would feel like a traitor with every bite. Not so tasty.

I don't shop at Walmart...I haven't thought of it as a boycott, but I don't like them as a business. I used to shop there and SAMs, but not anymore. If God forbid I need something in bulk, I'll go to Costco.

As for gasoline, Shell is the only company that gives equally to Republican and Democratic parties, so when possible, my husband and I fill up at those stations. I also use Circle K, I don't know what they do...I've convinced myself that bc they are owned by a Canadian company they can't make political contributions. it makes me feel better.

[DubaiSis]

I think not donating to a charity is not the same as boycotting. There are an unending number of very worthwhile charities and if one doesn't meet your criteria, it's easy to move on to one that does.

And I don't hate Republicans or Christians. Some of my favorite people are both things. And they aren't the only two groups that I don't agree with, but listing a litany of everything in the world I don't agree with would be long and silly. They're just the easiest for me to spout off. And by the way there are really very few people in my life who I have ever hated. One guy who probably had a crush on me in junior high because of how dickishly he treated me, a college French professor, and an ex-boss really are that entire list. The rest are people I just disagree with, though some I may disagree with vehemently.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

I guess I don't really care if the local owner is screwed-if they are in bed so to speak with exxon or chik fil a that is their problem. No one held a gun to their head making them open said franchise. I guess I am heartless

But in the case of Exxon and BP, those boycotts have typically been in response to specific events -- oil spills and the response (or lack thereof) by the oil company. Local franchisees, who may have had the franchises for years if not decades before the oil spills, have nothing to do with the spills or the responses. They're not in a position to suddenly say "Oh, let me go to a different oil company right now." And as others have noted, the effect of a boycott in these instances will be felt entirely by the franchisee, not by BP or Exxon.

In my view, that makes them collateral damage, and I personally have an issue with that. Fine if others don't. But I'll admit it -- even though I don't usually buy from BP, I did when others were boycotting it after the Gulf spill. I didn't want to see local business be punished for things they didn't do and had no control over at all.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But in the case of Exxon and BP, those boycotts have typically been in response to specific events -- oil spills and the response (or lack thereof) by the oil company. Local franchisees, who may have had the franchises for years if not decades before the oil spills, have nothing to do with the spills or the responses. They're not in a position to suddenly say "Oh, let me go to a different oil company right now." And as others have noted, the effect of a boycott in these instances will be felt entirely by the franchisee, not by BP or Exxon.

In my view, that makes them collateral damage, and I personally have an issue with that. Fine if others don't. But I'll admit it -- even though I don't usually buy from BP, I did when others were boycotting it after the Gulf spill. I didn't want to see local business be punished for things they didn't do and had no control over at all.

I see your point, but creating economic pressure on franchisees creates pressure on the corporation. Franchisees complain loudly when stuff like this happens. They yell at the parent corporation. The parent corporation responds to that stuff. They need to keep their franchisees happy.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KDCat

I see your point, but creating economic pressure on franchisees creates pressure on the corporation. Franchisees complain loudly when stuff like this happens. They yell at the parent corporation. The parent corporation responds to that stuff. They need to keep their franchisees happy.

I see that point as well, though I'm not convinced it's always the case.

My point really is that these things aren't always as simple as they might seem. To me, there's a lot of gray in there. Laws of unintended consequences and all that.

[Lilgiant2016]

I was raised by a family that makes a habit of researching companies and voting for things with our dollars. It can be difficult but when in doubt I will shop locally even if I don't agree with an owner's politics because it is even more important to put money in my local community.

It can be a real pain when buying books this year, since Amazon loves to give to politicians that I despise.