Don’t like what a company stands for? Don’t spend there.
Do you shop at Target or Dollar General Drink Coke or Pepsi Have an account with Chase Bank of America or Wells Fargo I am in no way singling these companies out but entirely using them as examples of the a large number of major corporations that have scaled back or quietly eliminated their diversity equity and inclusion DEI initiatives In essence they have due to Supreme Court decisions Executive Orders and investor demands abandoned their commitment to embrace Black and Brown Americans LGBTQ individuals and other marginalized communities they once claimed to backing Where you spend your money and who you do business with matters If a company doesn t reflect your values then it doesn t deserve your loyalty Boycotts are a simple nonviolent and time-tested way to send a powerful message to corporate leaders Throughout history they ve been used effectively when people feel ignored or disrespected by those in power When consumers unite they can influence policies leadership decisions and business practices without ever casting a ballot or holding elected office Retailers and utility providers rely heavily on citizens trust and brand loyalty A well-organized boycott that gains attention can damage a company s image impact profits and force change I know firsthand how effective boycotts other civil action and utilizing our justice system can be in bringing about change In the early s students from Atlanta s historically Black colleges and others across the country organized sit-ins and boycotts targeting segregated lunch counters and retail stores including the famed Rich s Department Store Their efforts led to the hiring of Black employees and contributed to the peaceful integration of Atlanta Constituents Schools Pressure on private clubs to integrate was also thriving Then Atlanta City Councilman Bill Campbell who went on to serve as Atlanta Mayor introduced provision that I wholeheartedly supported It threatened to deny liquor licenses to private clubs that excluded Blacks and it wasn t long before those clubs opened their doors to integration Much earlier than that as a teenager I remember the Montgomery Bus Boycott of sparked by Rosa Parks arrest The year-long protest by Black residents led to the desegregation of the city s constituents buses It was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement and a powerful reminder that financial pressure can drive social change The present day thanks to social media boycotts are more effective than ever A single post on Facebook X Instagram and TikTok can go viral within minutes holding companies accountable in means we couldn t have imagined in earlier decades I applaud Senior Pastor Dr Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for taking a bold stand and calling for a boycott of Target and in the present day expanding his efforts to zero in on other companies that have turned their backs on diversity and inclusion Boycotts Sit-ins Walkouts They were effective in the past and they remain a powerful force for change this day Here in Fulton County the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement every resident every faith leader and every administration official has a role to play in ensuring equity and justice for all Together we can make a difference With our voices our votes and yes with our wallets The post Don t like what a company stands for Don t spend there appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta
