Why I (mostly) don't boycott
Occasionally, when I post about a purchase, readers question why I've chosen to shop somewhere. And since I'm big on mindful spending, I thought a post on why I (mostly) don't boycott was in order.
As a rule, I'm not a boycotter.
Which means that my shopping habits don't fit with liberal OR conservative ideals.
For example, I go to Chick-Fil-A (which liberal people like to boycott) and Starbucks (which conservatives have boycotted)
However, I try not to frequent either super often because it's cheaper to eat/drink at home.
And I could add Target to the list as well; conservatives were busy boycotting a few years ago over the bathroom issue, and I kept shopping as usual (meaning: I try not to go there too often because it's easy to overspend there!)
Here's are the reasons I generally don't participate in boycotts.
1. It's impossible to only hire/patronize people/organizations I completely agree with.
I don't think there's a company or organization out there that spends their money in ways that I am completely, 100% comfortable with or who practices business in ways that I totally approve of. They're all a mixture of good and bad.
And even if I spent every moment of my life trying to figure out where my money is going, I still couldn't know it all.
Maybe Proctor and Gamble has employees who donate part of their salaries to charities I disagree with.
Maybe my appliance repair man spends his money buying things I think are wrong.
Maybe the plumber I hired uses the money I paid him to support a cause that goes against everything I believe.
Unless I live on a completely self-sufficient homestead, I have to make peace with the fact that I can't be sure that all of the dollars I spend are being used in ways I'm comfortable with.
2. A lot of boycotting isn't about the product/production as it is about ideals.
If a product is made with child labor or slavery, or a product falls apart or is dangerous, it's one thing to boycott that.
(This is why I say I mostly don't boycott!)
But it's another thing altogether to boycott something because I disagree with the ideology of a company. When I get into that realm, I'm sent back to point number one (It's impossible to only buy from companies I agree with entirely.)
So I ask myself: Is their product/service good? Do they treat their employees well? Is the company environmentally responsible? Is their customer service good?
These seem like more helpful, relevant questions.
3. I don't think boycotting is what Jesus would want me to do.
Jesus didn't specifically address boycotting, but based on what he said and did, I just cannot imagine him thinking this is a good idea.
The Jesus who ate with tax collectors and prostitutes? And the Jesus who said we should love everyone, even our enemies?
I don't think he'd say, "Well, have a loving attitude toward people you disagree with, but do your best to put them out of business."
(Is that really the best way to love people?)
Or would he say, "Only give your business to other Christians."
(Do only Christians deserve to eat?)
Besides, giving my business only to other Christians wouldn't even guarantee that my dollars went where I want them to.
I disagree with other Christians on things too sometimes. 😉
4. Boycotting is very picky-choosy.
(At least, the conservative Christians variety is, in my experience. So, that's what I'm addressing in this point.)
Do we want to avoid supporting things we believe to be wrong? Sure.
But (back to number one again), this is sort of an impossible task.
So we end up being oddly inconsistent.
Christians worry a lot about supporting gay marriage, but are nearly unmoved over the slave labor that produces the chocolate we buy.
We wring our hands over employee insurance policies while buying up products made in unsafe sweatshops.
And it seems to me that we spend a lot of time worrying about what people outside the church are doing, when we could be spending our time in much more productive, loving ways.
Worrying about the log in my own eye before I pick a speck out of someone else's...well, the log-removing keeps me pretty busy.
Which brings me to my last thought...
4. I'd rather support than boycott.
Because the whole boycotting scene is so impossible, I want to focus on what I want to support rather than what I want to boycott.
Instead of picking out companies that I think are bad enough to boycott, I think about where I can spend my money in positive, responsible ways. This, to me, seems like the best way to love other people when I'm spending money.
So, I buy used stuff, I support local businesses, I buy well-made items, I try to shop at places that treat employees well, and I try to buy responsibly-made items (which sometimes means American-made, but not always).
(My American Giant hoodie. Love me some American Giant!)
So. I do the best I can to spend my money in positive ways and beyond that...well, in the words of Elsa, I just let it go.
________________________
How about you? Do you boycott? And how do you go about trying to spend your money in responsible ways?
Very well put. I really like point 4. You try to support companies and products you like rather boycotting others. A positive instead of a negative approach to things always wins in my book.
As s Christian I have found some wonderful resources to help stand (using the almighty dollar as my voice).
The bible says seek and you shall find knock and it shall be opened to you....
To me supporting business that put their finances into supporting the gay agenda or killing innocent babies is totally fighting an uphill battle....which the devil ...( who is the father of all lies would want me to believe). I choose not to believe his lies by using these wonderful resources to stop evil in this world....Believe me it is working!!!!
One resource is a web site called OneMillionMoms....they are a watchdog ministry and have stopped many a big company from supporting evil...
Another is Second Vote..it is a wonderful free app. It lets you know what businesses support or do not support your values,,,,
Please check them out...:-)
Absolutely! It would be impossible to boycott every business that I disagreed with, I would basically have nowhere to shop! Unfortunately, even buying locally doesn't guarantee buying from a company that treats their staff fairly and has ethical ideas.
Also, I am aware that I am fortunate enough to be able to buy from companies that I feel are more ethically and humanely aware, not everyone can afford it (let's face it, buying from big nationals can be cheaper) or even have access to it.
Great post.
This is an excellent point. I see people turn up their nose at wal mart, when for many people, either due to economics or geography, that is their only alternative. It’s a big old world. We make the best choices we can. My choice? BUY LESS CRAP!!
I don't boycott, but instead support. Sometimes I support based on ideals. For example, I might choose one establishment over another because they don't display offensive things (to me) or because they do provide Christian-supportive products unashamedly and I'd like to see those products available.
Sing it, girlfriend! There's a whole lotta boycotting goin' on here on the Christian left, too. I don't know how they keep it all straight. Sometimes it feels like even the most mundane activities can be seen as a political statement even when, say, I'm just buying paperclips or whatever.
I do boycott, but only about things that are of fundamental importance to me and in instances where it is a clear, stated corporate stance and/or well-documented practice. But there are shades of gray in everything. I don't shop at Walmart, ever. Except when I did. When my grandmother was alive, the nursing home van went to Walmart and that was her only opportunity to get what she needed/wanted. We sent her a Walmart gift card for Christmas, because really, it's about her and not about us. And who denies a woman in her 90s the chance to get comfy socks, anyway? 😉
I have a different perspective on two of your points. It's true that a company's employee may donate to causes I don't believe in - but that's honestly none of my business. My few boycott instances are at the corporate stance level. And I do believe that the loving Christ was selective - he did not accept everyone as Disciple who said they wished to be one. He threw the moneychangers out of the temple because the activity defiled the space.
My withholding $20 from Hobby Lobby doesn't hurt them. I get that. But for me it's part of walking the walk of my values.
Point #1 ... You will never fully agree with someone. And then the one about boycotting being an inconsistent thing. I love history because of American Girls. It's been a lifelong passion that started with Felicity. But when I tried to buy some for my cousins, I was told they were an un-Christian company that supported un-Biblical things (good thing I asked before buying). So I started paying attention to what else they boycotted, and it wasn't consistent at all, and I think that's actually a bad example to non-believers. Better to be kind and loving and seek to support what you know is good than pick and choose the "evil" companies you want to boycott (obvi this does not apply to child/slave labor/unsafe issues).
This is, hands down, my favorite post of yours to date (and I've been reading daily for over 3 years!). I truly admire how eloquent your writing comes across, it seems effortless!
I love how you purposely put a positive spin on an issue such as this. My husband and I both grew up on family farms, and we still farm to this day. We choose to support other local farms and growers by buying as much of our produce as possible from our neighbors (we raise our own meat). We rarely buy meat from a store, even our Thanksgiving turkeys are from a neighbor down the road. This does not mean we are boycotting Wal-Mart or the other big box stores (there is a fair amount of controversy on bulk meat and factory farms), we just choose to support our friends and help them feed their families.
As always, your perspective is refreshing and enlightening. Thank you for this post!
Excellent piece. I also like #4! Plus, in truth, boycotts don't really work, especially on a personal level; they mostly just inconvenience you. I once boycotted a certain dollar store chain because of a problem I had and their corporate response to me. Haha! They're still in business and doing well and I'm back to shopping there.
Yes I boycott. I do a lot of things in moderation and do not think I have to be perfect. A company with reprehensible practices that is hurting real people gets less of my money. They still often get some of my money, but less of it. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, it can factor into one's purchasing decisions without being the only factor.
I boycott nestle by choosing a competing brand when possible, but buy it when it is not possible. It is very easy to boycott chick fila because yuck, so my boycott is meaningless. However, I will choose to drive a little farther to avoid hobby lobby.
I think a big difference with a lot of these conservative so-called Christian boycotts is that they boycott companies that are promoting love, freedom, and expression, whereas I prefer to boycott companies that, you know, kill people with their business practices or use their profits to fund campaigns that hurt people.
As a general rule I do not boycott either. I don't feel like (generally) it is productive. Point #1 is spot on. And you're right, should we as Christians be forcing companies out of business? I don't think so.
Another thing I have a hard time with in relation to boycotting is the sheer amount of research and dedication it would take to boycott companies. Because if you're going to boycott Company X for xyz what about Y because they also have reasons xyz. And then there is company Z for reasons x and z but not y, etc. It becomes such a sticky situation.
Recently there was a company which was VERY in-your-face about a particular point of view, and as it went against what I believe, I quietly unsubscribed from their email list, sent an email asking to be removed from the mailing list (without going into any reason why), and will (most likely) not shop there again. I don't even know that they are supporting the issue they have been so big about but their pushiness turned me away from their company. I don't really consider that to be "boycotting" because the purpose of boycotting is to gather a group of people who all agree not to support a business. I'm not going around advertising this fact, I'm simply not shopping at this company any longer. Is that going to effect them in the long run? I highly doubt it!
Very interesting. Gives me much to ponder.
Yes, I choose to give the profits from my purchases to alternative businesses in just a few cases where I know that the company owners use those profits to push a conservative agenda that I don't agree with. I want all women to have access to reproductive health care and for the LGBT community to be treated as equally and fairly as anyone else and am willing to opt for a different retailer even if it is a little inconvenient or more costly for me.
Well stated ... and a refreshing point of view honestly. I often wonder if some of the Christians who scream the loudest have even read the New Testament. Thanks for sharing!
Amen! Very well put.
I must confess, I am not a very political person. I just don't really get into the practices and policies of businesses, or other people for that matter. There are a couple of notable exceptions, mainly the Humane Society, will not get my money. I've been in the pet care industry for many years, and that one is well-known for channeling the money poorly. I prefer to support local shelters and rescues. As for Walmart, I've tried, I really have tried, to not shop there. I backslid epically, mainly because there is a Walmart Neighborhood Market across the street from the animal clinic where I work, and it's just too easy to run in after work. I know, I'm weak.
In Wyoming, I have to pick and choose what stores I physically shop in. Choices are limited. But I'll go out of my way to support certain stores.... So I love your view on supporting rather than boycotting.
Take REI for instance... They're remaining closed on Christmas AND Black Friday. And paying employees. That's a great company philosophy that I want to support! What do we (and our loved ones) need so badly that we have to interrupt Thanksgiving dinner to stand in line and buy?
I support families 🙂
I saw that yesterday...what a neat idea. I hope that it turns out to be a good financial move for them too, as people will feel more inclined to shop there despite the lack of Black Friday deals.
Great to know this about REI - thank you!
I love your reasons for mostly not boycotting and agree with them. It's a slippery slope of "my ideals are better".
But I there is another reason I won't boycott. It's the employees. The people who work 32 hour weeks making minimum wage trying to support a family. The people who if sales drop enough loose hours because the company has to cut back. For me my ideals are not nearly important as knowing that a parent is able to put dinner on the table, afford that last minute doctors visit for a sick child, can afford to supply their children with a warm loving home with power.
I've been there working my fingers to the nine for next to nothing and seeing my hours cut because business dropped.
Americas form of boycotting doesn't hurt the top dogs at the company, it hurts the small people at the bottom. And that isn't okay to me.
Please ignore the typos. My phone dislikes me typing this early in the morning.
"Americas form of boycotting doesn’t hurt the top dogs at the company, it hurts the small people at the bottom. And that isn’t okay to me."
Exactly! I've been that employee whose work load was doubled (because they wont replace lost employees) and hours were cut. That took food off my table, compromised my ability to support my family. What did it do to upper management? Absolutely nothing other than made them look good for keeping the bottom line so low. I'm sure they were rewarded in the form of bonuses.
Totally agree every time someone talks about boycotting my husband's employer when they don't really know the issue and have the facts wrong about the product or company, I just remind them that we are the ones hurt and will they help us pay our bills when he doesn't have a job.
In general I don't boycott. There are a few companies that I avoid purchasing from for various reasons. However, recently my attention has been drawn to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their own people are asking for boycott of companies and products produced on Palestinian lands that Israel has illegally occupied. They feel that this might be the only non-violent way left to make change.
I'm boycotting a local store because the owner was quite rude to me. I have shopped there for years, but I am not willing to support her after how she treated me about something pretty minor.
I buy a lot online from Kohls because of their easy returns. The women at Customer Service are always polite.
I buy very little from Target. They are in the next town over, and returning things there can be such a hassle.
Kristen, thank you for your thoughtful comments on this issue, this post is making me think about this issue again. I do avoid a couple of larger big-box stores because I disapprove of their corporate practices and/or stated political views. I know my not shopping there is not hurting their bottom line, or changing anything about how they do business or what causes the corporations choose to support. But it makes me feel better to not spend my money at these places. Just like I feel good about shopping at Aldi because of their favorable employee policies and environmental awareness.
Another poster brought up a good point: boycotting a business could end up hurting its employees, who are likely just trying to earn a living. So I have some more thinking to do.
Sensible approach as usual. You're fab Kristen!
Well said! An excellent post.
This is a terrific post. Love the approach of support instead of boycott. You said it very eloquently Kristen.
P.S. I am SO singing "Let it Go" in my head right now...:)
Oh dear. Sorry about that.
Just wanted to leave a quick comment to let you know I love this post!
I generally don't boycott either. I'm a flaming liberal atheist, so a lot of, ah, my kind? were boycotting Chik-fil-a a few years ago. I did not join in for two reasons:
1. I remembered how silly I thought it was when people boycotted establishments that supposedl supported gay marriage and figured this was equally silly.
2. I love Chik-fil-a.
At the time, I LOVED Chik-fil-a a whole lot. See, every month I would load up my baby and young toddler (picture, say, ages 7 months and 23 months) and drive the 4 hours to visit my parents. And halfway there, we would stop at Chik-fil-a. They would see me struggle in and bend over backwards to help me. They would bring the food to the table, a placemat for the little one, and hot water to mix my picky baby's formula. They had a play area where Big Brother could get his sillies out while I fed Little Brother. (At first I was breastfeeding, too, and no one minded that.) It was like my oasis on the road.
I am loving this honesty 🙂
I was once a flaming liberal atheist, too. Now I'm a God girl, but I appreciate how you are staying real about the issues.
I've always said it takes us all, and none of us are the same.
Chick-fil-a is an excellent example of why it's hard to get right: I disagree with some of their social/political views, and support how well they treat their employees. I think their food is fine but not stunning. So where does that leave me?
I won't shop at Walmart, because they're bad for the global economy (forcing their cost-savings onto their suppliers, which has substantial negative consequences across the board) and beecause it treats its employees like cogs rather than people. I hadn't thought of this as a boycott but maybe it is.
I don't shop at Home Depot if I can help it, because the employees don't know jack. Since I don't either, I want to go somewhere that can actually help me, not just tell me where to find some widget I already know I need.
I preferentially shop at the Container Store rather than less expensive options. I like the convenience, that if I need something with which to organize that CS will have it, that it has excellent customer service, knowledgeable pleasant employees, and treats its employees well. I have no idea what its social policies are. I can afford the price premium that is created by the convenience and service.
I like Ace Hardware vs. Home Depot for that same reason...the employees there are generally well-versed in their area and can offer helpful suggestions to me. That has not been my experience at Home Depot!
Chick-Fil-A is definitely interesting. The political views at, say, McDonalds are different, but then there's the employee-treatment issue, the food quality issues, and the generally poorer customer service.
And then you wonder, morally speaking, how does eating at McDonalds compare with eating a home-cooked meal made with ingredients purchased from a big-box retailer who has poor employee policies?
And then after wondering that, your head explodes from the complications and you throw up your hands and do whatever it was you would have done before thinking about these things, because there's no consistent way to weigh all the factors.
And you just decide you'll do the best you can and not let the rest keep you up at night.
At least, that's what I do. 😉
Exactly!
Funny enough, I shop HD because I get the most help there. They seem to always be asking to help, know their stuff, and don't act like I'm a dolt. It just goes to show, it's all about where you are and your own personal experiences. 🙂
Thanks for the positive attitude readjustment!
Very well written.
Thank you for saying what I've never been able to put into words! Fantastic post today... Blessings to you!
I try to give my dollars to local business, independent retailers, USA produced goods, small local farm produce and meats, etc. I do this because I know that my dollars will feed back into the local economy rather than feed a big box retailer who is driven by low costs to the point where they will have products produced in countries that do not allow basic freedoms (the Bill of Rights isn't cheap). I don't look at it as boycotting, but choosing.
Yep! That's exactly what I mean by thinking about supporting rather than boycotting. It's a more positive way to think about mindful, responsible spending.
I mostly don't comment on Frugal Girl. But in this case I have to say this is one of my least favorite posts and I'm probably in the minority. I also rarely boycott for many of the reasons you listed, however boycotting in general isn't supposed to be a lifestyle, it's supposed to be limited and strategic in the sense of putting a spotlight on something that is really wrong. There are plenty of things like that in our world but I agree it would take all day, everyday to run around shining spotlights on everything.
However I absolutely do boycott in some instances and I have no qualms about this being "unloving". There are times when I do know about something that a company does that is having a negative impact, and I absolutely take that into account. I consider that my duty as a Christian and a human being.
One of the things that irked me about this post was the " what would Jesus Do? " part. Christians play imaginary games about Jesus far too much. It's almost pukey. I, personally, can hardly stand it. I'd be satisfied if people could just do their best to be responsible when they actually do know about a problem. It would be awesome if Christians would stop making Jesus into a character they can cast to try and prop up their own preferences by pretending Jesus, of course, would agree.
Okay, not trying to be too hard on you. Just hit a nerve.
I rolled my eyes at the whole WWJD movement too. I always thought it should be more of a WDJTUTD (What Did Jesus Tell Us To Do), but that might not have sold many bracelets. 😉
In this instance, though, my speculation about what Jesus would think about boycotting is based on this he did actually say and do. Jesus said to love everyone, right down to our enemies, he ate with people who made their living doing wrong things, etc. and it seems like a lot of the boycotting we Christians do is something that wouldn't go hand in hand with that.
Of course, we are all totally free to handle these situations as we see fit (Yay for this freedom!). I was just writing about my thought process when I decide how to spend my money, since some readers had asked.
Yay for freedom, yes. Jesus did say to love everyone, but that doesn't translate into "don't confront wrongs". Agreed that boycotting is not necessarily effective, but certainly can be, as I have witnessed countless times. Once we participated in a boycott against a popular mainstream couponer who was selling tickets to a venue that produced "torture" pornography. Our campaign was successful, and yes Jesus even loves pornagraphers, but I'm not sorry one bit to push back against those trying to profit off degrading and humiliating women. I don't worry about inconsistency, nobody's perfect and I'm not going to let that stop me from doing something for the good. Being inconsistent is not hypocrisy, contrary to popular opinion.
I too am torn on this, although I respect where you're both coming from. The reason why I'm not opposed to boycotting is because it genuinely has been effective in the past at bettering social injustices. Remember the divestment movement in South Africa during apartheid? Yes, it can be too much sometimes and be confusing as to who to buy from/boycott etc, but a focused effort can really shine a spotlight.
I too felt a tad squicky at the Jesus reference. It's just such a slippery slope - I mean there's plenty of businesses that you and I avoid all the time for non-boycotting-type reasons (their food is gross, they're overpriced, what have you), and if they go out of business, isn't that kind of the nature of capitalism? Am I supposed to support all businesses that I don't like for a variety of reasons because that's the kind thing to do? Of course not. To be clear, I'm not some free market fanatic, but hey, if we got the system, this is just one more way for people to assert what they want/don't want, whether that be overpriced food, useless products, or slave labor.
Oh and Kristen, to be clear - I don't mean Jesus makes me squicky. 🙂 I know your faith is important to you. It's just tough because there is sooo much room for interpretation and reading into things a certain way. Also, I think I was more responding to the statement: “Well, have a loving attitude toward people you disagree with, but do your best to put them out of business.” Because most organized strategic boycotts are not about running anyone out of business, in fact the opposite. It's about focusing on an industry leader, getting them to publicly declare they're making a change (whatever that thing is that boycotters are asking for), and then helping to lead the tide of change within the industry. That's the most important thing a boycott can do, in my opinion.
Oh, I knew you weren't saying Jesus is squicky. 😉
I do feel like the South Africa boycott is a lot different...maybe because it was over what seems like a really big issue?
As far as your second paragraph goes...I definitely don't think we need to shop at stores that provide poor service or poor products and such (I know that was kind of rhetorical.) But not shopping somewhere because the service is poor feels a lot different to me than not shopping somewhere because of political disagreement.
I feel like this is a little bit hard to discuss because I'm purposely not trying to bring specific instances up, as those are polarizing. I could explain myself better if I could be more specific!
I guess I'd say this about my Jesus reference: sometimes, when boycotts are proposed, it comes off as, "You guys believe X, and that's disgusting to me and I'm going to boycott." But when I see Jesus, I don't see that sense of disgust. Jesus loved the people who were looked at in disgust, actually (like tax collectors). He ate with them and sat with them and loved them, even though he certainly didn't agree with what the tax collectors were doing. So, I'm inspired by his attitude toward people, and I want my actions to flow out of a heart of love like his.
Mr. FG has a friend who feeds the homeless in a city. The owner of a strip club in the area wanted to make a donation, and asked Mr. FG's pastor friend to come to the strip club to pick up the donation. He did (it was during the day before they were open, as it happened), and while he was there, the club owner poured his heart out to the pastor, they became friends, the owner eventually became a Christian, and he ended up deciding to shut the strip club.
This is an inspiring story to me, not because of how it turned out, but because Mr. FG's friend didn't say something like, "Oh, no, we don't want money from you. And I'm not coming to your business either." He just treated the strip club owner with love, like he would anyone else. This reminds me of something Jesus would do, you know? I want to have a heart like our homeless-feeding friend!
I know that was a long and rambly comment...sorry.
Don't be sorry - wow, what a great story! That's fantastic!
I think 'polarizing' is a great choice of words. We live in such a polarizing country where hurtful things are flung constantly on both sides. Finding ways to push for change - ie. letting the companies know what's important to their customers - while being kind is an important balance.
Thanks for your insights. I think too, that I may be reacting a bit to my perception that many times it feels like Christians use "Jesus would do such n such because it's loving" as a cover for what might really be more like apathy. In other words, maybe taking a certain stand would be inconvenient, put them in an uncomfortable spot, be socially unpopular or just generally require too much effort and it's easier not to bother. I completely understand all of these reasons, and I'm not going to tell someone else what they have to do. I would say, however, if the reason really is more like apathy, that really isn't loving.
Kind of like how it's easy to put off confronting someone about an issue (in marriage or a friendship) because you don't feel like messing with it. Which, in some cases, is actually NOT loving...you're making faux peace a priority instead of caring enough to say something.
There's a fine balance to be had there, whether you're talking about marriage, or Christians relating to non-Christians. You don't want to be obnoxious and call everyone out on everything all the time (I wouldn't want someone to do that to me!), but on the other hand, sometimes you do need to say hard things to other people (in love, and with humility).
Finding that spot in the middle, where you're not falling out of the boat on either side...that's tough and requires a lot of wisdom.
You are such a good writer. It seems like it would take me so long to address all these aspects of the topic. Love it!!!
You are not just frugal ... you are wonderfully sensible and a breath of fresh air! Love this post!
I follow the same principle generally. I find that when people boycott, they tend to not have all the facts and then continue to support businesses that do the thing they hate. I try to buy local and American but the truth is that not everything can be made here. I put more of an effort into supporting companies that support the same initiatives I do.
Thanks for sharing the great post.
This is a timely post. I personally choose to shop not as frequently at the big box store that is more in line with my political and ethical leanings and instead to do more shopping at a "mom and pop" store whose owners have known differences of opinion. The shop owners, as far as I know, do not blatantly support a cause with store earned income, and like you said, I can't really control what they do with their income and free time to the nth degree. On the other hand, the big box store's merchandise is produced with questionable manufacturing techniques. I would rather help an individual feed his or her family, regardless of their views, and I know enough people will shop to keep the big box store in business.
Love, love, LOVE!!!!
Especially talking about our Jesus - that's the same point we try to make. He loves us all, and wants to save us all.
I also mostly avoid boycotting because it becomes about 'principles' and that can get so very messy and is very shifty ground to try to stand on.
Quite marvy-fab 😉
I rarely boycott. If I receive a bad service I will try to go somewhere else, that's about it. I don't have tons of money to spend on "made in Canada-fair traid-ecological-organic" products, sorry. So Walmart it is. And I don't feel bad about it.
I LOVE this post!! I found it to be point on and well written. Thank you!
"And it seems to me that we spend a lot of time worrying about what people outside the church are doing, when we could be spending our time in much more productive, loving ways." Yes!!! Well said!
I love your comments about inconsistency with Christians, as well. I have long thought that we Christians want grace and mercy extended to us, but we want justice to be meted out to the rest of the world. I know I am the first one to be guilty of that! Awareness is the first step toward change ...
I have a friend that wont support a local business because the man who was contracted to build it, not the owner of the business mind you but the contractor, had cheated on his wife years ago.
But she does have annual passes to Disney.
So if your going to be so extreme that you wont support a business because of the man who built it (and has nothing else to do with the business) because of adultery and you hate gay marriage but will spend your money at Disney? Idk, screams hypocrite to me. Yes she's my friend but I don't understand that part about her.
That is an excellent point! ☺
I'm pretty sure we boycott and support in many ways, some we don't even realize or think about. For example I tend to buy where the things are cheaper, naturally, but not always. For example we shop Costco a lot, products are mostly priced reasonably, employees are well treated - I see the same ones year after year, and I asked them! - and they are generally friendly and helpful. We don't shop Walmart, I don't like the crowding, or the shoppers who are often rude. And I disagree with their low pay that means that many can get food stamps they are paid so little. (On the other hand many in our military are paid so little that they qualify for food stamps! But I support them.) Then there is convenience, which counts for a lot. But again not everything, as I will go out of my way for somewhere I like, like Trader Joes.
PS - it's only the most junior military member who qualify for food stamps. Not that I want any in the military - or anyone else! - to need SNAP, but better that it be only a few of them, rather than "many."
What a wonderful, thought provoking post! I do try to spend, as much as possible, in ways that reflect my values.
I would support a focused boycott with a specific goal that I supported. For example, if I were around in the sixties, I would have supported the grape boycott in support of the farm workers
Loved this! I am a BUYcotter myself.
I'm usually encouraged by your posts, but I didn't come away with that on this one. Though I'm a conservative (both ways) Christian, I don't subscribe to the "we" you reference in your point #4, and it feels alienating to be painted with a broad brush that way. I think that's why.
I'm sorry it hit you that way. I didn't mean to say that every single person in the church is picky-choosy by any stretch...if the shoe doesn't fit, then definitely don't wear it. I'm delighted for the parts of the Christian community that are looking out in love and who aren't spending more time worrying about non-Christians' behavior than their own. And boy, I sure do hope that one day this will be more the rule than the exception. And I hope that God will keep working on my own heart too, and that I'll grow in humility and love toward people who believe differently than I do.
I love your kindness and the honest way you expose your life and your viewpoints. Weather people agree or disagree with what you've said it's so refreshing to hear thoughtful polite and intellectual opinions written this way. Thank you!
Thanks for the post - I couldn't agree more. I used to boycott Walmart for the usual reasons, but have started shopping there again, because 1) They pay better than comparable stores in the area; 2) They hire minorities, immigrants, and disabled people more than comparable stores: 3) They actually have better customer service than many other stores. I am careful about what I buy there, though - I don't buy meat, for example. You are right, though, that the issue of boycotting is not cut-and-dried.
Well written. Thank you for sharing your view point. Gives me things to think about.
One thing about this post I'm really enjoying is those who disagree. I don't want to live in an echo-chamber and I'm pleased to see courteous, respectful disagreement in action.
I know, right? In some comment sections (cough, news sites, cough), disagreement quickly descends into a ridiculous name-calling sort of scene, and that doesn't get anyone anywhere. No one learns, no one stops to reconsider their position...everyone just digs their heels in farther. But when there's a respectful discussion, then we can actually learn something from each other.
I love this post, and agree with a lot of the comments here. I do have to comment on the Walmart hate though. I think that with any huge corporation, you have good and bad. My husband worked for Walmart when he attended college. They worked around his school hours, paid more than minimum wage, provided benefits and his managers truly cared. He loved his time there, and they made it possible for him to graduate with much less debt than we otherwise would have had.
I don't boycott either and prefer to just patronize places I like more often, like you. That said, I understand why people do it and I respect it. If you don't agree with a position a company has taken, by all means vote with your wallet.
I have only commented once or twice here, though I read this blog daily, and I wanted to thank you for your candor, warmth and generosity. I so appreciate your positive attitude and your emphasis on loving one another. I do boycott (Hobby Lobby, Chik Fil A, and I have not allowed my children to join the Boy/Girl Scouts) but I do so thoughtfully. I realize that my small actions don't mean anything to these organizations, but are meaningful to me and my children. My children see me putting my values into action by choosing where my hard earned dollars go, and if they want to fraternize one of these organizations, we talk about why we choose not to. I also talk to them about making their own decisions one day, and that they might be different than mine. I feel like this opens a dialogue with my children, and it helps them to see that sometimes the right thing to do isn't always the easiest or most popular.
Kristen, I really appreciate your emphasis on the positive and I will definitely be thinking about that when my kiddos and I talk about these subjects. Thank you so much for all that you do, and know that there are people out here who you are helping everyday!
I realize many people are Amazon customers for various reasons but I personally feel Amazon is a large factor in forcing some businesses to close their doors...and this is very unfortunate. This is not to say I never shop Amazon. I do but rarely. I work with some shelters and I can add that Chick Fil A will donate food when asked. Whenever there is a major storm & motorists or residents stranded , Chick Fil A donates sandwiches & drinks. They treat all with respect. Truett Cathy, Chick Fil A founder, helped so many students at Berry college. We must be careful to not throw out the baby with the bath water.
Great post - so sensible. I like the positive rather than negative approach you take.
I try to have a few big, overall goals rather than worry overly much about all the things in the world. For example, I try to consume less stuff to start with, and to use up and wear out the things I do buy. That reduces my angst when it is time to shop for something necessary.
I also do all the reusing, recycling, and composting I possibly can, because those things contribute to the same overall goals, albeit from a different angle.
I LOVE this post! You know, operating in this world of ours can really feel like a minefield if you let it. It would be so easy if everything just came with a red light or a green light... but it's just not that simple, and literally every choice we make could be seen as "bad" in one light or another.
Basically, what I think it boils down to is that if you want a store to stay in business, you should shop there. For me this means that I shop at the King Soopers (Kroger) that's 3 blocks from my house. Yes, Kroger is a big corporation, yes, there are local co-ops I could support instead, yes, this store is small and doesn't have a huge selection of some items that I'd like... but when push comes to shove - having a grocery store in easy walking distance from my home is pretty darned nice, and I'd be really unhappy if it were to go away (like numerous other grocery stores in the area have) so I give them my business.
This is why I consider you a shining example of someone who is a Christian. You demonstrate your values by living them and not lecturing. When I hear someone start a sentence with "I am a Christian, but ," I cringe because I know I am about to hear the most judgemental, un Jesus like ending I can imagine. Thank you for being a model for self introspection and inspiration to the true good Christ teaches us all.
I loved this. You have such a kind, fresh voice.
Yeah that!
I don't have enough energy or time in a day to boycott. It is much easier to live and purchase from places I love or work for us.
I like this post and will use it to teach my children our views on boycotting and being patrons of local honest "in my eyes" businesses.
Wow, is there another boycott happening right now? It's so hard to keep track these days.
And bravo to all your points! Boycotts are such knee-jerk reactions, in my mind. I'm reminded of when World Vision decided to be okay with employing gay people who are married a few years ago, and the Good Christian Christians instantly got so up-in-arms that thousands of innocent children all over the world LOST THEIR SPONSORSHIPS OVERNIGHT. I mean, people were so angry that a cause they supported was NOT being a jerk to gay people that they WITHDREW THEIR SPONSORSHIPS. And they wouldn't even take ownership of their own decisions, they just blamed the gays. "If it weren't for the gays, my kid's community would still have funds to send them to school". Ew, no. That was your choice to leave your kid in the lurch, and yours alone. I was so grossed out when that happened. And it would have been so easy for me to cancel MY sponsorship when WV caved and reversed their policy, but my sponsor child needs my love and commitment way more than I need to oppose bigotry and hypocrisy.
Your last point I think is the best. I try to buy fair-trade coffee, chocolate and anything else I see when I see it. As a result, I end up NOT buying non-fair-trade coffee, chocolate, etc because I already have what I need. Support the causes you agree most with, and leave the rest alone. It's a good way to go.
I don't think there's a new one going on right now, although I could be wrong. I tend not to keep up with these things, but when they do happen, they seem to pop up all over social media.
I mostly don't boycott either, for basically the same reasons. The one thing that I have not bought recently is chocolate that is not ethically sourced. After living in Africa, reading about the child slave labor, etc, I can't pick it up in the store without seeing those images. The ethically sourced chocolate can be more expensive, but I figure I'm spending less and staying healthier by only occasionally buying it.
Mostly, I like to try to think and act positively. With finances, that means instead of deciding to boycott certain things, I try to find ways to buy local and support causes that I agree with. For example, I recently heard about Dressember (http://www.dressember.org) which raises awareness and funds to end slavery and human trafficking. The company connected with it also has a work that helps women find work and an income- making clothes. I could buy more dresses/clothes for the price of one dress there, but I would rather support their cause. (And I'm trying to have a more minimal closet anyway.)
Love this post! It can become very time-consuming trying to look into EVERY aspect of EVERY company that you buy things from. Like your fourth point says, being positive and focusing on supporting good businesses seems like a much less stressful endeavor!
I've been reading your blog for a while now, but this is the first time I've felt the urge to comment 🙂
Aww, I'm so glad you de-lurked! Don't be a stranger.
I think you are very wise.
This post is very refreshing...Thank you for your very well balanced perspective!
I enjoyed this post, especially because of its honesty.
In the real world, where many people have extremely limited incomes and their geography limits their options for shopping (and not everyone can shop online), many people don't have what I refer to as the "luxury" of shopping only by principal.
Let's use amazon as an example. I'm a huge fan of amazon. I am NOT a fan of what is reportedly the way they treat employees (see recent New York Times and other articles). They are not the only large company that has questionable practices when it comes to how the rank/file, line employees/independent contractors are treated.
However, I am in a wheelchair, have limited income and very limited help so I continue to order a lot of things from Amazon. If my circumstances were different, I would prefer NOT to support a company that has questionable employment practices.
So I am torn. How people are treated by companies is very important to me. I don't believe in basically allowing them to continue by adding to their bottom line. BUT...if I were to eliminate all companies with questionable behavior, I don't even know where I could shop these days.
I prefer to keep my politics and other beliefs separate from business choices for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I don't get to judge others for THEIR beliefs and choices unless they infringe on my personal freedom and/or practice illegal, unethical or immoral behavior.
Reading some of the comments here deeply disturbed me because so many people voiced some extremely judgmental comments. I don't like labels in general, but it seems many folks with deeply held religious beliefs seem to feel/believe that it is OK for them to judge others, condemn others and generally act as if THEIR beliefs supersede the rights and beliefs of others.
There are a considerable number of people in government and elsewhere who do not hold my beliefs (religious, political, social, etc.), however, part of being an American is agreeing to disagree and practicing freedom of choice (again barring illegal activities).
I loathe, hate, detest and wish pornography did not exist. But it's part of freedom of expression.
Unless they are practicing discrimination (of ANY KIND) or engaging in illegal activities, a company does not have to hold the same political, personal, social or "religious" views that I do.
Frankly, I'm appalled at some of the comments here. I guess "my" God is a loving, non-judgmental one. Just because someone does not hold my views, doesn't make them bad, immoral or worse.
You don't have to be a "flaming liberal" to take issue with folks, like some here, who deny the rights of others just because they don't think they have any.
So much of boycotting is about haters looking for reasons, excuses, etc. to impose THEIR views on the world.
Sorry to take a tone here but when one uses religion as an excuse to hate, discriminate, etc., that is NOT acceptable in any form.
It's important to think carefully about the true origins of one's boycotting and also to think long and hard about how many innocent people are impacted by such boycotting.
There are many ways to express one's concern about a company's stance, but as it's been said, keep the focus on the product, the people making or selling it. Not a company's politics.
Pornagraphy is not freedom of expression anymore than burglary is a lifestyle choice. It is morally wrong to exploit people and that is why you have a negative reaction to it.
If you are appalled by others comments and their "judging" why doesn't it strike you as ironic that you are judging also? If you weren't judging there would be nothing to be appalled about. You'd be fine with whatever anybody else said or did and you wouldn't be trying to explain what you think is right. The reason people "judge" is because we are given a conscience and we know there must be right and wrong.
What you are describing is a consequence of moral relativism, and the reason people usually like to blame religious folks for being "judgemental" is because the firm objectivism of their religious beliefs don't square with the dictates of moral relativism. It's important to understand that moral relativism itself is inherently illogical and always ends in one person's " personal truth" undercutting someone else's "personal truth".
LOVE THIS! We don't go the Chic-Fil-A because - um - we just don't care about Chicken that much and if we do go to a Chicken restaurant it is Raising Caines because they are AMAZING community partners. I wish more of our society was intentional shoppers, instead of reactionary. (I hate to see small local businesses fail, but we try to use our dollars to support them where we can.)
I love your level headedness.
When I was a young mom, I went to a church that was the same denomination where I grew up, so I thought I'd be comfortable. One day in adult Sunday School, the members of the class got into a big debate over whether or not God wanted parents to sit in the church pews as a couple, children next to us, or apart, children in between us. It went on and on, and I raised my hand and said, do you think He really cares where you sit, as long as you are there?
They all got so mad at me. The boycott debate reminds me of this.
I'd rather help than argue. Thank you for this post.
Oh dear. That does seem like a pretty silly thing to debate over. I really don't think God cares what order you sit in the pew!
Just got to this post via a link in the comment section of 9/11/20 which is blowing up about boycotting ChikFilA. I just wanted to say I 100% agree with you about boycotts, for many of the same reasons. But I also want to add that I've been alive for 55 years and I have no memory of a boycott ever working. I boycotted Nestle with all my fellow breastfeeding moms in the 1990s because they gave formula samples to moms in African countries and then their milk dried up. As far as I know, Nestle was completely unaffected. Ditto boycotting Coors beer in my bar-drinking days in the 1980s. I can't even remember why we did that. Then there were table grapes during my childhood because of migrant workers, and the list goes on. But they don't work. They are led by a small group of principled people, and I understand that it might make those folks feel better, but it's definitely not going to put any company out of business.
I agree with supporting the ones you like! But even that doesn't work. I was the world's most devoted fan of Caribou Coffee years ago (before I got frugal) and the franchisee still went out of business. How sad.
Anyway, keep up the great work, Kristen! I love your blog and will read it no matter what your choice of cheap takeout eats.
I am also a lurker posting for the first time and I want to say I totally agree with you! Boycotting makes so little sense most of the time.
I remember boycotting Nike because of child labor. Nike were using child labor in countries where lots of kids have to work to eat, but the advice of people whose opinions I respected was to just boycott Nike. I then found out that Nike just stopped using child labor in those countries, and loads of the kids who used to work in Nike ended up having to go into prostitution to get enough food to eat. I felt so guilty (even though I doubt my personal decision not to buy one pair of shoes made any difference). Obviously being in school is better than working as a child, but if school isn't an option and you need to work to eat, then working in a factory is obviously better than prostitution. You can't just simplify large complex issues to one simple knee jerk reaction and expect it to work.
Nowadays I have selected my main charity to be an organization in India that provides free daycare and early years school including free food and medical care in a really remote area where otherwise kids have to work to eat or if they are younger their parents just have to leave them at home to go work, and hope they are still there when they go back. I think it's far better to focus on supporting organizations that are helping to solve the problems I care about than to boycott people who aren't.
I am often not sure what my Christian mission is so most days I am winging it. But I know I do not have time to research every company I do business with, so I am sure I purchase from companies whose management I don't agree with. Yet those same dollars support employees and their families that depend on those wages. I have to be at peace with it.