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Perhaps it\u2019s the weight of all our first-world problems, but Westerners have lost touch with one of our strongest power bases.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
PROGRESSIVES internationally are being hit with some hard facts, from the reality of the United Kingdom\u2019s vote to end its politico-economic links with the European Union (EU); through the rise of Donald Trump as the Republican United States presidential candidate; to Australia\u2019s problem catching up with both nations on the human rights inherent in Marriage Equality.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s become impossible to participate on social media without also being hit with online petitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut is it realistic?\u201d I saw one concerned Remain voter ask her Facebook friends, of yet another public vote attempting to reverse the Brexit result.<\/p>\n
It could be<\/i>, I wanted to reply, if only you\u2019d just sign it.<\/i><\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t write that response (I just said \u201csign them all, in only takes a few minutes\u201d) because we keyboard warriors and slacktivists get very sensitive about doing much more than \u2018liking\u2019 stuff.<\/p>\n
Liking is good. It\u2019s a show of hands sweeping\u00a0through our Facebook feed, but let\u2019s be real for a minute: Liking really achieves nothing. No-one has to show up. At best, it\u2019s little more than virtual loyalty over morning coffee.<\/p>\n
I was reminded this week (by another Facebook post) of the principles of the civil rights movement, and the way it continues to define change in Western nations where politicians and corporates have stymied communities and left us feeling speechless and disenfranchised.<\/p>\n
I also reminded myself of some fundamental tenets of most democracies, proven long before the social media came along. People generally have the right of assembly, demonstration and petition – that is, we should not fear meeting, protesting with and canvassing other members of the public for common views.<\/p>\n
Rosa Parks.<\/p><\/div>\n
From the Montgomery Bus Boycott triggered when African-America Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up for an Anglo-American passenger in 1955; to the Sudanese Civil War Sex Strike, when Samira Ahmed encouraged wives to abandon sexual relations with their husbands until the second Sudanese Civil War ended, people have been taking relatively peaceful, simple stands to enact lasting change.<\/p>\n
It was a pamphlet distributed by community leader Jo Ann Robinson that reminded African-Americans of a mathematical reality – that they were the majority of Montgomery\u2019s bus ticket-buying marketplace – and they reacted with courage. Bus travel was out, replaced by car-pooling and other simple efforts actioned by individuals, and by 1956 the Montgomery racial segregation laws were ruled unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never completely simple, it\u2019s never totally peaceful, yet withholding what a large number of people want has proven to move mountains, particularly when what they want is our money.<\/p>\n
International corporate and individual brands are already making such decisions easier for consumers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Perhaps it\u2019s the weight of all our first-world problems, but Westerners have lost touch with one of our strongest power bases: we are consumers with an array of choices when it comes to everything from the weekly groceries, to clothing, entertainment and countless other products and services.<\/p>\n
Nationalistic movements like Brexit, populist candidates such as Trump, and human rights outcomes linked to a nation\u2019s economy (Malcolm Turnbull\u2019s commitment to spend $160 million on an unnecessary plebiscite on Marriage Equality) leave themselves wide open to economic boycotts.<\/p>\n
The internet makes it relatively easy to find where products originate and which corporates support or political candidates and movements. Some are politically savvy and hedge their bets, but most are not.<\/p>\n
In just a few clicks, you can choose between banks, department stores, communications companies, financiers and even restaurants that support causes you’re aligned with.<\/p>\n
In just a few well-directed emails, you can ensure other companies know why you\u2019re making the choice to spend your money with their competition.<\/p>\n
Although sites are cropping up that make it very easy, there\u2019s no need for blanket bans on buying British or American products – remember, not everyone in the United Kingdom wanted to leave the EU and not everyone in America is voting for Trump.<\/p>\n
Harry Potter.<\/p><\/div>\n
But one of the most powerful things you can do is to ask a simple question of the management in these companies. Are you supporting Trump? Do you want to leave the EU?<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll be affronted, no doubt. They might not even give you a clear answer, but it\u2019s your money, right? You get to choose where you spend it.<\/p>\n
International corporate and individual brands are already making such decisions easier for consumers. Richard Branson came out early as a Remain supporter<\/a> in the Brexit fallout on behalf of Virgin Group. British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver likewise made his Remain stance crystal clear<\/a> for his followers.<\/p>\n
One of Britain\u2019s most lucrative (and nationalistic) cultural exports of the past two decades is the Harry Potter brand, yet Harry Potter wants to stay in the EU! Author J.K. Rowling is one of the highest-profile Remain advocates<\/a> in the unfolding Brexit landscape.<\/p>\n
Silicon Valley CEOs went public earlier this year about their concerns over Donald Trump\u2019s presidential nomination<\/a>. Large US retailers, media outlets and sporting and cultural events led the way a year ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Australian corporates that support Marriage Equality.<\/p><\/div>\n
National Lobby Group Australian Marriage Equality has published a growing list of more than 1000 corporate entities that support changing Australia\u2019s Marriage Act<\/a> to allow equal access to same-sex couples. I\u2019ve been using it for more than a year to make high-street choices that sit better with my equality activism.<\/p>\n
Consumer boycotting often gets negative attention, amid suggestions that it\u2019s ineffective, or a\u00a0form of trade protectionism; whereas in actual fact, it’s already proven itself to have deep impact at the highest corporate level in Australia.<\/p>\n
Australian telecommunications giant Telstra wavered on its public expression of its support for Marriage Equality<\/a> in April this year, reportedly\u00a0under pressure from\u00a0Christian organisations\u00a0threatening\u00a0a boycott of Telstra services across\u00a0Catholic organisations.<\/p>\n
But the consumer backlash was fast and profound, and Telstra was forced to reassert its public support<\/a> for legal reform of\u00a0Australia\u2019s Marriage Act.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a whole world of consumer boycotting going on – check out the site that claims<\/a> to be: \u201cThe most comprehensive English language list of progressive boycotts\u201d.<\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t a \u2018dislike\u2019 button on the majority of social media platforms. Facebook has no plans for one<\/a>.\u00a0If there was, social media shareholders might\u00a0lose their grip on this lucrative new wave of media\u00a0–\u00a0and millions in advertising revenue –\u00a0when participants grow sick of their thoughts and opinions garnering the type of protests that a thumbs-down would attract.<\/p>\n
Perhaps that leaves some hope for progressive politics?\u00a0With no way to give the thumbs-down at the keyboard, the only thing left – if you\u2019re still frustrated – is to do something.<\/p>\n
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