tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post8494866058629363833..comments2023-09-26T10:11:12.865-04:00Comments on My Feet Only Walk Forward: Working Class and Working Class Queers v Target BoycottersBrandon Lacy Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-29943755374655964572010-08-04T11:07:14.809-04:002010-08-04T11:07:14.809-04:00Hey Steff love:
I think you misunderstand me. I h...Hey Steff love:<br /><br />I think you misunderstand me. I have not rejected a boycott as a tactic, but I have called for it to be a tactic. I know you as an organizer and I know that you understand the difference between a tactic and an organizing goal in the context of a larger movement.<br /><br />I have said again and again that I am not even against, per se, a Target boycott BUT I am against the way that this one is being called. I have said repeatedly that in order for any boycott to be really just, it needs to at least try to reach out and talk to and work with the workers inside of the corporate beast. There is a queer group at Target, and today is the first time that I know that someone is sitting down directly with them to talk about this issue. Just as when you are organizing a union, you send organizers into the stores, hotels, sweat shops to talk with, education, and work with the workers. You don't destroy their livelihoods before giving them a chance to participate in their own liberation.<br /><br />I would be delightfully happy if every Target store in the country shut down IF it was done in a way that got our goal across while also making sure that the workers involved come out the other side better, stronger, and more able to feed their families. <br /><br />Wal-Mart is a different creature. There are long term strategies aimed at creating long term change within the corporation. The boycott was well though out, well planned, and has taken a long haul view of the changes that need to be seen. There has been organizing that has taken place with immigrants, rural communities, unions, small business owners, and other constituents to figure out how to tackle the various issues related to Wal-Mart and create the change that is necessary. NONE of that was present with this boycott call. And that is why I am dead set against it as a strategy in THIS circumstance. I have made no judgment on boycotts in any other circumstance, and, indeed, I participated in the grape boycott for years.<br /><br />I respect a call for a boycott that is the beginning of a conversation and not the end. Unfortunately, it was the beginning, middle, and end of the conversation with no analysis of what is really at the core of the struggle, which is corporate personhood and corporate engagement in the democratic process.Brandon Lacy Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-18428986398756631472010-08-04T10:31:15.227-04:002010-08-04T10:31:15.227-04:00Brandon:
I am writing as a working class queer an...Brandon:<br /><br />I am writing as a working class queer and union member active on labor issues in Minneapolis. I have been contemplating your writings on the issue of boycotting Target for a couple of days and I still find myself needing to write so here goes.<br /><br />I think a Boycott of Target around this issue is ineffective at this time. I like the the tactical idea of going to the Target corporate sponsored events and having fun there.<br /><br />On these two points I agree and appreciate that you put forward an alternate tactic.<br /><br />Wait for it, you knew it was coming.... here it is ....the big but:<br /><br />But I disagree with your arguments because as a union organizer I see that the first three are similar to the ones the boss makes to oppose contract campaigns and organizing drives.<br /><br />1) It's a huge company, also known as, you can't fight city hall. <br />2) If you make too many demands on us the store will close. <br />3)Fighting against us endangers your job.<br /><br />In fact the first three reasons could be arguments against boycotting Walmart. The only thing Target has to it's advantage is it's clever corporate giving policy. I support the Walmart boycott. It has been very successful at raising the issues of wages and working conditions in the U.S. and making the link to wages, working conditions and workers rights abroad. <br /><br />I am not sure what effect it has on the company bottom line, but it it is clear to me that the Walmart boycott is an effective educational tool when at the park I overheard someone say, "can we stop at Walmart for some batteries" and his friend responded, "We can stop somewhere for batteries but I won't take you to Walmart" That opened a conversation and that kind of on the ground conversation is part of what movement building is about.<br /><br />So, to the extent that the call to boycott Target is a call to open a conversation about corporate purchasing of candidates and elections and Emmers anti gay bullshit either in the media or on the street I actually think it has elements to it that are good, on this one I am still going to shop at Target but don't disparage the tactic just because the case don't fit.<br /><br />Your In SolidaritySteff Y.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-84920085624529113152010-08-03T12:28:15.525-04:002010-08-03T12:28:15.525-04:00I want to be clear, I am never in favor of calling...I want to be clear, I am never in favor of calling for a Boycott until after the Protest effort has been exhausted, and the corporation has been given a chance to respond and make things "right." Even a corporation can make a mistake, as corporations are run by human beings....But make no mistake, Target needs to make it right! In my past efforts against Cirque du Soleil for HIV Discrimination a Boycott was never called for, in my efforts with Rockstar Energy Drinks...it was because of years of anti-Gay comments by it's founder, CEO and CFO! In both cases a favorable end was reached!<br /><br />However, as individuals, we have the right to decide where we spend are money! Target has always been a stong LGBT supporter, they should be given the opportunity to make that right; however their current CEO appears to as ill-suited in the area of PR as Tony Hayward from BP!Aaronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-38411029777759717522010-08-03T11:23:20.348-04:002010-08-03T11:23:20.348-04:00Hey lovely Jessi T. You know I have mad respect fo...Hey lovely Jessi T. You know I have mad respect for your work! And, as one of the founders of Out4Good, I deeply value what you have brought to the program. <br /><br />I think you have a really unique opportunity. I think you are empowered to ask some good questions: 1) Ask the GLBT employees group what they think is a measured response to this issue that will leave them more empowered and will allow them to build better connections with the larger community.<br />2) I would ask the HR department how this donation jives with Target's anti-discrimination policies and how they are managing and providing support to their queer employees that have been directly betrayed by this donation. <br />3) I would also ask if HR and the corporation are willing to not allow but protect the rights of its employees to profess a different and divergent opinion from the corporation's on what this donation really means. (That's my round about way of saying would it put employees jobs in jeopardy if they speak out either as individuals or as the LGBT employee group at Target). <br />4) I would ask both groups how they feel the donation to Minnesota Forward jives with their corporate philanthropy which is centered around providing housing, shelter, food, and clothing to vulnerable populations including queer youth.<br />5) And, I would really have to walk away with an agreement wherein if Target agrees to give a gift to your organization that neither you, your organization or the youth you serve are used in a counter PR campaign to help put a pink veneer over the donation to MN Forward. To be clear, if I were on the Target side I would give you a mighty donation and then advertise it broadly that I had done so as a counterpoint to claims that Target is anti-queer.<br />6) And finally I would go into the meeting with some sort of document or statement from the community expressing solidarity with the corporate and in-store workers and expressing an understanding for the difficult place that this decision by Gregg Steinhafel has placed them in.<br /><br />I hope that helps.Brandon Lacy Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-84212668715529958492010-08-03T11:12:28.590-04:002010-08-03T11:12:28.590-04:00Dear Mr. Brandon Lacy Campos! Your words are just...Dear Mr. Brandon Lacy Campos! Your words are just the excersice my troubled brain needed this morning! Thank you. <br />So, here's my dilema that I would love to get your thoughts on. In my gay-for-pay position, I had a meeting scheduled (for tomorrow) with folks at Target HR and the GLBT employee group to talk about support for GLBTQ youth in the Twin Cities. All of this has come up since that original scheduling. The meeting will still happen tomorrow, but I would love to know how to make the most of this time with Target insiders. What would be "selling out" and what would be productive and challenging to all the forces that be (including the public institution I work for).<br />Thanks,<br />Jessi T.eldajrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17843747717966339594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-23895224363440193762010-08-03T01:45:21.418-04:002010-08-03T01:45:21.418-04:00on point. thanks for your words, brandon.on point. thanks for your words, brandon.n.r.roybalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263598902937994688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-88764079619896842122010-08-02T20:57:29.766-04:002010-08-02T20:57:29.766-04:00As usual very insightful analysis, beyond the obvi...As usual very insightful analysis, beyond the obvious that could get to a better solution that does not exploit or harm the already vulnerable, low income wage earners that are Target employees. We do have to watch each others backs and watch out for that divide and conquer strategy that you described so well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-86683838442668259232010-08-02T15:42:25.901-04:002010-08-02T15:42:25.901-04:00I asked these questions as my Facebook status yest...I asked these questions as my Facebook status yesterday: <br /><br />How powerful would it be to actually organize WITH the Target store workers? What would it look like to build intentional connections with the wage workers to craft a response that will get us to our end goal AND leave us stronger as a community? We need to strategize not only how to win but also how to come out of the win more organized and with stronger alliances. THAT is what creates sustainable long term change.Brandon Lacy Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-53129579220985485042010-08-02T15:41:16.567-04:002010-08-02T15:41:16.567-04:00I couldn't agree more, Thomas. And, yes there ...I couldn't agree more, Thomas. And, yes there is a queer employees group at Target. No, Target employees are not unionized. I have asked these exact same questions of boycott supporters repeatedly over the last few days.Brandon Lacy Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-32851413398147662532010-08-02T14:09:02.143-04:002010-08-02T14:09:02.143-04:00There is no organized "left", or "p...There is no organized "left", or "progressive" movement in this country... the absence of a coherent, grassroots counter to the Tea Party movement exemplifies this. Instead, what we have is a mass of single issue organizations and "movements", acting without co-ordination, and often at cross-purposes... and functioning very much as a part of the "establishment", and thus only willing to rock the boat in a narrow sense. The right, by contrast, deliberately and consciously organizes as part of a larger movement, with a broad set of goals.<br /><br />This is a classic example... I haven't seen anything about this, but the immediate questions I'd ask are: "Is there a queer employees organization at Target? If so, have they been consulted? If not, why not? Are there union workers at Target? Is there a union trying to organize them? Who can we build alliances with, inside and outside of the company, to support an effective campaign to change things?" Did the organizer ask these questions?Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11089163773613963793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-51169044976014937472010-08-02T13:45:34.316-04:002010-08-02T13:45:34.316-04:00Word Stephani. My Mom works at Target. I refuse to...Word Stephani. My Mom works at Target. I refuse to let my outrage keep her from paying her bills.Brandon Lacy Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309078871229264081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-80790677018291336422010-08-02T13:39:40.540-04:002010-08-02T13:39:40.540-04:00Point blank: I'm not boycotting Target because...Point blank: I'm not boycotting Target because I have two family members who've been working there for years. Like you said, there's got to be a better and more thought-out way. These folks obviously don't have family members who depend on Target for their daily bread, like a lot of us working-class and colored folks do.Stephani Bookerhttp://www.mnartists.org/Stephani_Bookernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1813774273050712407.post-50454806045825560362010-08-02T13:23:15.800-04:002010-08-02T13:23:15.800-04:00Great POST!! Love it!! Thanks!
SageGreat POST!! Love it!! Thanks! <br />SageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com