Page 42 - Issue 62

Ramadan Vol.1 Issue 62 December 2023 ELITE

Kareem

Successful boycotts and what we can learn from them.

Sara Basheer - economics - 2nd level

Having witnessed the genocide committed by Israel up a bus seat to a white man. As a result, all
in Gaza, and other war crimes ranging from African Americans resorted to using
bombing hospitals to eliminating civilians and alternative means of transportation, and
preventing the entry of humanitarian aid into the sometimes resorted to walking in order to
Gaza Strip. Consumers in the Middle East provide reach their destinations.
minimal support to Palestine by refusing to
contribute to this genocide, especially after feeling That boycott lasted for a year, until the
that their voice is not heard by the world. For this Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public
reason, they called for a boycott of all products and concerts was unconstitutional, a notable
services of companies that support Israel’s attacks. victory for the civil rights movement.
Consumers usually start boycott campaigns when Throughout history, there have been successful
they decide to use their power by excluding certain boycotts. If we hope for a successful boycott, it
goods from their consumption, in order to express is always good to learn from history. So what
their dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction. Boycott is a can we learn from the examples mentioned
form of struggle; According to Ling. In Gabriel's above?
book A Brief History of Consumer Activism, the What we can learn is that sustaining efforts is key,
main premise of boycott is the conviction that whether by encouraging global campaigns that
consumers are obligated to use their purchasing continually encourage consumers to make more
power in order to achieve their social and moral ethical purchasing choices, whether by changing the
goals. belief that a potential individual contribution is too
One example we can learn from is the anti- small to cause any harm or by constantly reminding
sweatshop movement, which emerged as a response people of the main reason why the boycott was
to exploitative and harsh working conditions in started. Thus, we can ensure that the boycott
manufacturing industries. This movement began movement will not be a spur-of-the-moment
with the goal of improving working conditions movement that ends up disappearing without any
including fair wages, safe working conditions, and tangible impact.
reasonable working hours. One of the most
effective strategies used in this campaign is to focus
on consumer awareness using the media, which is
considered one of the most powerful tools.
Another example is the Montgomery Concert
Boycott that occurred in Montgomery, Alabama,
42 from 1955 to 1956. In response to the arrest of
Rose Bucks, an African woman who refused to give