On boycotts, I’ve already started avoiding their products, but when I noticed that people around me, and people in general, don’t take it seriously, I began questioning whether it actually has any real impact. Is the problem that boycotts don’t work, or that people simply can’t resist their habits and desires? I honestly can’t create change alone, so what am I supposed to do with that?

So I’m asking: where does an ordinary person start? What common mistakes should I avoid? What genuinely helps, instead of hollow gestures of solidarity?

  • Le_Wokisme [they/them, undecided]@hexbear.netEnglish
    3·
    4 hours ago

    in general boycotts can work if they’re organized and especially if they’re in conjunction with something like a strike. some recent ones i remember off the top of my head: the frito-lay and john deer boycotts helped those workers, the (mostly black) target boycott was doing something but i think they fumbled that one because of some pastor calling it early.

    what does not accomplish anything is some instagram account calling for a boycott amazon day, with no labor action or organization behind it, nor on such a limited timeframe.

    for palestine, BDS has actually accomplished some stuff over the years. they have a priority list for practical reasons and that increased focus means you can actually get somebody to move a factory, as compared to a directionless boycotting of every company that has any connection to israel.

  • TiredTiger@lemmy.ml
    2·
    4 hours ago

    Boycotting does help. The average Westerner (apologies if I’m incorrect in assuming you’re in the West) dismisses the impact of BDS to absolve their conscience of their inaction. They will come up with any excuse to avoid forgoing their treats.

  • JerryMerweather@piefed.socialEnglish
    3·
    5 hours ago

    I feel the same, But I am happy to hear that someone else is also boycotting.

    Boycotting is somewhat easy, mostly because the alternative to buying from zionists is to buy local brands. which supports local brands and avoids direct support to big brands.

  • soyaboya@lemmygrad.ml
    5·
    12 hours ago

    Are you alone? Join an organization or party. If there are none that you’re comfortable joining, start by having a scheduled news briefing or book club with friends, family, or coworkers.

    Boycott is pretty easy and it’s the bare minimum. As a vegan I look down upon people so uncaring, unserious, unbothered, and unprincipled that they would make excuses.

    Some of the other not/less criminalized actions can range from door knocking, flyering at a public space, putting up posters or stickers, giving speeches, donating, collecting donations, posting on social media, sharing, wearing messaging like a kufiyeh or badge. And if there’s a Communist party or a legitimately pro-Palestine candidate that you can vote for, of course vote.

    More criminalizing would be attending protest, vandalizing, destroying property, occupying space, etc. The first is the most important and actually risk free. It truly builds power.

    • ghost_laptop@lemmy.mlM
      3·
      6 hours ago

      ?? with such a shitty reply i will assume you’re a gringo. voting who exactly? genocide is a bipartisan agreement.

    • Osm@lemmy.mlOP
      1·
      18 minutes ago

      Is it necessary to do one of this ? there are no other options?