I've given this post a lot of thought and went back and forth on whether or not I should post it. I've decided to post it because it does weigh heavily on my mind and I wondered if it did on yours too.
There are two very large, very popular stores owned by the same company that I do not shop at in protest of where/who the owner gives a large amount of his money to. I'm not going to name the company but if you did a little internet sleuthing you could figure it out.
For me, the root of the issue is a human rights issue. I believe that every person is equal and should have the same rights as everyone else no matter what color they are, what gender they are or who they happen to fall in love with. The company(ies) I choose not to give my money to don't share that belief.
I read a lot of blogs and follow a lot of people on Twitter and Facebook and quite a few of the people I follow shop at these stores and ooh and aah over their displays. I don't blame them they are pretty and the stuff they sell is cool but I can't abide by their choices and I try not to let it bother me that it doesn't matter to so many people but it does bother me and sometimes I think less of a person who chooses to shop there.
Occasionally I used to leave a comment on a blog when someone mentioned the store(s), nothing preachy just "I love that store but can't shop there because of where their money goes". Usually the comment went unnoticed but once or twice someone has responded with "Ugh! Can't someone mention unnamed store without a billion people replying about how they give their money to so-and-so??!"
So I stopped leaving comments about it. I figure if it's a big enough issue to someone they most likely already know about it.
On the same note I also make an effort to buy cruelty free products. Sometimes they're more expensive and sometimes you have to make an effort to find them but I find animal testing abhorrent and it's worth my time and effort for some peace of mind.
What do you think? Does politics affect where you shop? Do you boycott any company based on where their profits go?
I haven't bought Nestle (intentionally) for years, which is difficult as they keep buying up local food companies here.
ReplyDeleteI can't separate my personal politics from where I spend my money. My friends joke that my knowledge of Marxism gets in the way of my conspicuous consumption. However, as a gay man, I really don't want to be assisting people who work against me by spending money at their stores, money that pays their salary and contributes to the bottom line of that business. Money that might find itself rerouted into political action funds that I don't agree with. I think that the Stores That Shall Not Be Named (STSNBN) capitalize on the aesthetics they sell to mask the politics they harbor - hence, I stop myself from amassing a collection of latte bowls because they come at more of a cost than I would like them too. And don't get me started on the kitchen towels... ugh. So, yes, I shop with my politics. Unapologetically. Everyone who cares about issues of social justice should do the same.
ReplyDeleteI boycott less for politics, more for business practices, though they are sometimes linked. For instance I won't shop at American Apparel because I think the CEO is a misogynist pervert, and I try not to give the big two my business either because I hate how they rip off and repackage vintage design and sell overpriced/poor quality goods, not to mention the owner's shoddy politics!
ReplyDeleteI actually also try to show my supports for some companies and disdain for others by choosing where I spend my money. I am sure it makes no difference to the big stores, but I feel better about it. As a Canadian I also try to avoid big American stores in favour of their Canadian counterparts, but that is getting more and more difficult to do... Ana, I am so curious as to which companies you are talking about?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts guys. It's not an easy subject to discuss.
ReplyDeleteI had NO. IDEA I was supporting evil. Thank you SO MUCH for this post!
ReplyDeletep.s. other readers? It isn't Williams-Sonoma, in case you were wondering.
well i must be dense b/c i don't know who it is and i definitely do not like to support stores who support causes that aren't about equality. email me who i shouldn't be shopping with.
ReplyDeletechandler_hockaday@yahoo.com