If You Must Shop Black Friday, Make a Difference. One of the most powerful ways we can vote is with our wallet. We make a choice with every purchase. I might also add that like voting in an election, there is voter suppression. Due to circumstances beyond their control (living in poverty , the accessibility of options, etc.) people are denied their right to vote with their wallet. This makes it even more vital that those who shop Black Friday, choose to make a difference while doing it. If by the end of this post you are inspired, try to opt out of Black Friday. Alternatively you can support local business on Saturday and help build your community. #SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopSmall
Here are some ways you can vote with your wallet:
Buycott
Buycott is a free app to vote with your wallet. Use UPC Lookup or barcode scans to boycott bad products and find sustainable alternatives. It can help you avoid products that support Nestle, the Koch Brothers, Trump, Palm Oil Production, Child Labor, etc.
Think About the Clothing You Buy
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Clothing should not be designed to be disposable or be made in bad labor conditions. If you buy a $4.99 black v-neck shirt at H&M or Forever 21 and it last you a year or two before it is too shabby to wear, it is not a good deal on a shirt. We need to start looking at the life cycle of the clothing we buy. Where does the material come from, who is making it, in what conditions, is it long lasting quality, where will it go when I am done with it. Do I really need a new shirt? The answer may be no.
So where should we by our clothing. Thrift stores are a good alternative, but they do not help to create demand on more responsible clothing. You might still end up with a black v-neck shirt from H&M or Forever 21 that will wear out quickly and it's next stop will be the trash. I think it is better for those who can, to spend a bit more money buying fewer clothes that are ethical and will last. That being said, I am not on the wealthy side, but I save up to buy these articles of clothing. This also insures I am only getting what I need. Here are some companies I like to buy from when I need a new piece of clothing:
Everlane - Good Quality and transparent in sourcing.
PACT - Organic Apparel and Fair Trade
Patagonia - Last long and you can send items in to be mended (On Black Friday they are donating 100% of sales to grassroots environmental groups.)
HP Boycott
The International Boycott HP Network and the Palestinian BDS National Committee are calling for an international week of action against HP over its role in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. The week of action will take place November 25th - December 3rd, which will include the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29th.
Boycott Trump
Join #GrabYourWallet to boycott Trump and Trump family products. Below is a guide and list to help you do so, but also make sure to ditch the hate talk when you do it. You do not overcome hate with hate.
Support Standing Rock
What you buy is important but so is the bank that helps you buy it. Food & Water Watch’s Hugh MacMillan's investigation has uncovered the banks that are backing the North Dakota Access Pipeline. If you look down at the image below and see your bank listed, it may be time to change banks. I understand that the people who work at your branch may be great people who really do care about you but they are not the ones that decide the large impact the bank has on the world. The people who do decide do not care about you or the people you love. There is no need to support them.
So where can you bank. My suggestion would be credit unions. Credit unions are cooperatives, owned and operated by members. I prefer having a say in what my money does once it is in my account. I prefer having a voice. I prefer banking with a non profit. I prefer that the benefits go to the members and the employees of the credit union and not the pocket of the 1%. Stand with Standing Rock. Make the switch. #HonorTheTreaties #NoBakken #SacredStoneCamp #STOPDAPL #MniWiconi #SacredWater #NoDAPL #RezpectOurWater #StandWithStandingRock
