Truth is I am passively observing the #notonedime boycott of the Black Friday holiday. I rarely shop this time of year and don’t traditionally celebrate winter with gift-giving anyway.
Further, while I like “stuff”–I’m pretty Western that way–I am not beholden to it. I still don’t own a flat screen t.v. and my DVD player died from lack of use. I have shoes. Clothes. With and without brands. Largely thrifted but hardly all. I eat kinda like I’m upper middle class though I’m not.
I write all that because I just read that African-American buying ‘power’ is a myth. And I don’t wanna be leading y’all astray or shaming working class folks just trying to catch a break on their kids’ holiday shopping. ‘Cause you know I was posting about boycotting the shopping season and what not on my Facebook page.
My bad I guess.
I think I understand.
Like, I understand that the boycott suggested that one avoid buying non-essentials. Does your child really need that new gaming system (are those still a thing?) or could this be a teaching moment?
Look I’m not claiming an answer. That is not a rhetorical question.
I’d just say, if nothing else, consider a general buying boycott which I’d like to think I observe. I don’t willfully spend with or on industries I know to be participating in or supporting fuckery–to my face and otherwise. (Yes, this one is hard–I have a Walmart budget but hate their practices. Whole Foods was much easier to let go). I try to avoid excess. I shop local and/or black whenever I can. These are ways I flex my dollars. Mass boycotts have their place and benefit (see the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1956 for reference). But it may be more important that we’re not reactionary; but on a grind of putting our money where our mouths are. Even when sacrifices have to made to do that.
After reading through the articles, I just thought I should sit down with myself and have a talk. And I wanted to share it with you, because you know we talk. And I had been talking to y’all about this #notonedime.
So the thing is, I came to this conclusion for now: this idea of the power of your dollar really has to do with the power of it everyday not just for a weekend. I hope I’m doing decently by that endeavor. (Sometimes better than others if you’re like me). I sure try. And isn’t that what we’re all doing our best to do?
Be well good people.
darlene anita scott 