Re: I'm sorry but, BOYCOTT WAL-MART!
Posted by Maureen on August 8, 2001 at 18:26:21:
In reply to: Re: I'm sorry but, BOYCOTT WAL-MART! posted by CorasMama on August 8, 2001 at 05:28:58:
The issue for me is not a matter of whether or not this boycotting isa "popular" opinion not. I boycotted when an entire race of people
were not allowed to enter the front door, sit at the counter, drink
from the water fountain and migrant workers were treated as slave
labor. I boycotted anything South African when children were shot
dead in the street, people carried passes...because Nelson Mandela
was imprisoned...because of all of the evils of apartheid. I know
when the notion of a boycott makes sense and when it does not. I
think I really was reacting to what I perceive as the trivitalization
of the notion of a boycott. The things you describe as being done by
Wal-Mart is an unfair generalization. It might be the reality in
your area and neighborhood Wal-Mart, but not at the store in my
neighborhood. If someone is descriminated against at the store, then
they should sue. If you can't get the video of choice there, then go
to another store. What you describe is capitalism in action. We
live in a capitalist nation and more and more a capitalist world. I
don't think there is any mistake or coincidence involved in the fact
that the only place around here that I can find Tea Tree oil without
going into Pittsburgh was at Wal-Mart. Why is it that you can only
purchase Pepsi products at some places and only Coca Cola products at
others...but never ever both at the same place. That is capitalism
at work in America. While I can appreciate idealism (no one was more
idealistic than I) I am at core a realist. Not buying my tea tree
from Wal-Mart does not constitute a boycott. If everyone on the
henna page refused to buy tea tree from Wal-Mart it would not be a
successful boycott...how long do you think it would take for Wal-Mart
to feel the impact of the henna forum not spending in their stores?
If any of you are being hurt by Wal-Mart or another enterprise and a
target protest of some sort that I could lend my name and energy to
is undertaken...I will join with you. But at my age I am very
careful these days of what bandwagon I jump on. My time and energy
are increasingly becoming a scarce resource.
I have no stock in Wal-Mart. I am not defending Wal-Mart. I have no
love for Wal-Mart. I just know that I am in America and what was
described as reason to boycott Wal-Mart is business as usual in
capitalistic America. The tactics of my youth will not be successful
for you today. That is basically my point. These days my strategies
are not to take a stance and position to change a store, but rather
to take stances and positions that change the world. Sorry if this
comes off cynical, but I have paid the dues to be idealistic,
realistic or cynical as a son-of-b**ch if I choose. This is not
about you Darlahood or you CorasMama...the boycott thing pushed a
political button and triggered flashbacks to the days when boycotts
were common and effective and then weren't anymore.
Maureen
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