Many years ago, my daughter had to write an extended essay on civil liberties and how seemingly small or arduous actions can influence politics. She was not amused and left it to the very last moment to start. Luckily, her mother had been active as a trade union member in the Irish boycott of SA goods while she herself was just a tiny toddler. On top of that, there is a weak and distant family link to the 19th century Irish politician Charles Stewart Parnell who basically invented, some say re-invented, the idea of an effective non-violent action - the name derives from a cruel landagent, Charles Boycott, but surely everybody knows that. Anyway, she gathered enough inspiration and wrote her essay, it's somewhere in a box in the attic I think.
Today, our local paper published a list of goods to boycott, many of the large retail shops, several local restaurants have signs on their doors telling their customers, which US goods will no longer be available, no coca or pepsi cola, no ketchup, no almonds, no Kraft sweets etc.
Click here to watch a little video from far away Australia. Does it matter if it will have any effect? See for yourself.
However grim things look, whatever the overwhelming odds you face, you will not face them alone. I will not be complicit in the tyranny of the USA. I will not buy into the tyranny of the USA. Because when this is over, one way or another, I want my name to have been recorded, in my memory if nowhere else, in the column of the names of the people who said "I will not be complicit." and not among the names of those who sneered and sniggered; or worse, who cheered the tyrant on.
Feb 28 is a national boycott day here. Don't buy anything from anybody. There is also a list of businesses on SM and an app for your phone available of companies and businesses that support Trump/Musk so that you can boycott their products and services. Canada is also removing American products from their shelves and not buying more. Power of the purse. Power to the people!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to the Australian man. It does help actually, to know that there are others who feel the same way, and who will have our backs. I had to buy some groceries this morning and made sure I bought Canadian if I could. The American stuff, that was optional, was put back on the shelf.
ReplyDelete"I will not be complicit."
Chills! This is so very powerful! I will not be complicit. Thank you. One more thing for the list I am compiling of actions I can take, concrete things I can do. I wonder if the leadership of the US understands how reviled their nation is becoming in the world? I wonder if they care?
ReplyDeleteCodex: Companies care if it affects their bottom line as Ellen mentioned above. The leaders won't but that's irrelevant at this point.
DeleteThank you for this post. Did not know where the word "boycott" came from. It is heartening to know how many people around the world and in the U.S. are refusing to feel powerless or live in fear and are doing what they can.
ReplyDeleteWe wondered why fellow citizens were silent, seemingly accepting or too disconnected to care or do anything against the Dastardly Duo. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCodex: It's global. Number of countries are participating. Only problem is stores would have to "notice" that certain products are remaining on shelves.
ReplyDeleteIn my city, many stores are not even putting the stuff on the shelves.
DeleteCodex: Are you moderating? Comment did not post.
ReplyDeleteThank you. i am crying. My god but I needed to hear that from an Australian. I'm not sure why but it made me feel as if perhaps the world is behind us here in the US where our freedoms and rights are being silently and illegally pulled from beneath our feet daily. What a beautifully and passionately well-said man he is.
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