Isabella Martinez | Lifestyle, Inspiration & More

Boycotts are nothing new to America. For as long as people have been able to organize, boycotts have been used to send a message to the institutions being protested. One of the most well known boycotts in the US was the Montgomery Bus Boycott from December 5th, 1955 to December 20th, 1956. During the Civil Rights Movement people refused to ride the segregated bus system in Montgomery Alabama marking a crucial event of the civil rights movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was successful through people taking the necessary steps to organize, engage in mutual aid, and persist for a full year, despite barriers to the cause.

Now at the end of 2023 boycotts are taking place against major corporations in the United States, and locations abroad, who have pledged solidarity with Israel as they enact a genocide on the Palestinian people. Starbucks has been one of the main corporations to be on the losing end of a boycott, as the company filed a complaint against its worker’s union: Starbucks Worker’s United for tweeting in support of Palestine. The post stated, “Solidarity with Palestine,” and was deleted around 40 minutes later.

Starbucks has continuously been at odds with Starbucks Worker’s United, and has even had lawsuits pertaining to not allowing their workers to form unions in the first place. Customers disdain for the corporation not having worker’s rights as a priority, and the recent support of Israel has led to a nation wide, and abroad, boycott of the popular coffee chain during it’s most popular season. Apparently Morocco has even had all their Starbucks locations pulled because of the success of the boycott throughout the country.

Boycotts aren’t just stopping at Starbucks. People across social media platforms, especially TikTok, have spoken of the need to limit corporate spending in response to the U.S. government utilizing tax dollars to send to Israel to fund its genocide against the Palestinian people. There is an intersection taking place of people who are already financially struggling with inflation, low wages and ever increasing prices. Worsened by continuous propositions by the U.S. government to send monetary aid to Israel, despite many Americans standing in opposition to Israel and the IDF. Americans have been told their student loan debt couldn’t be forgiven, minimum wages cannot go any higher than they already are, there is no room for universal healthcare, and yet, there is millions of dollars available to send to a foreign government carrying out an ethnic cleansing. People want to show that where their money goes matters, and in order to display a disruption to the American economy boycotts of corporations need to take place.

Although Americans are heavily reliant on their comforts, I can admit I am as well, there are still ways to continue your spending habits, if you wish, by supporting local businesses.

The Holiday season is in full swing so you can buy gifts for your loved ones at local shops instead of the usual corporate stores you may usually buy from. Although the mall is one of my favorite places I am forgoeing purchasing Christmas gifts from the usual stores. Instead I’m trying to find gifts from local stores and making items as well. Antiques are a great way to provide someone with a unique gift that can be passed from generation to generation and won’t be something you find at the mall.

It’s also a great opportunity to get more creative with the gifts you are giving and really think about what represents your loved ones. I’ve seen many people comment on social media that they are gifting Keffiyeh’s to their family in support of Palestine. Remember when buying items to support Palestine, purchase from a Palestinian seller and/or a brand that is sending profits to organizations to help the Palestinian people. For Christmas I asked for jewelry from Zudo, a brand that is donating 25% of their profits to help Palestine.

If you are looking for more Palestinian supporting businesses in lieu of corporations check out one of my previous blog posts where I talk about some Palestinian fashion brands. If you want to learn more about Israel’s occupation of Palestine decolonizepalestine.com is a great site to check out!

Even if you’re not sure what to buy someone, picking up a gift card to a local business is a great way to ensure that your dollars spent are still going toward your community. In boycotting corporations and spending it in small businesses a message is being sent. You support your community and want to see the hard money you earn go toward people who are around you, who you know, who you want to support.

After finding a local coffee shop that I previously would have never gone searching for if it wasn’t for boycotting Starbucks, I can definitively say it feels better to spend my money on a cup of coffee at a family owned business versus a corporation that doesn’t believe in workers’ rights.

Keep talking about Palestine, keep boycotting, keep doing what matters!!