It is not uncommon to hear people mocking those who support the BDS movement, or who refuse to shop at ultra-capitalist establishments which engage in dodgy practices (like Primark). Often, those people engage in a series of silly arguments to justify their making fun of others. Three arguments in particular, are put forth:
1) ‘You are just one person. Boycotting these companies would not change the situation.’
2) ‘You can’t boycott every single unethical establishment.’
3) ‘It’s better to work on other things that you can change.’
To be honest, these points are quite ludicrous to even be addressed. But because they are put forth by people who are even supposed to be religious teachers, perhaps it would be worthwhile to explore them.
1) ‘You can’t change anything by boycotting’.
Yes, even if i boycott them, most probably, i would not be changing anything. But i don’t boycott them, i would DEFINITELY not be changing anything.
Moreover, i have very modest ambitions: i do not harbour illusions of changing the world. All i can concern myself with is absolving myself of association with that establishment. And if that is all i can do, then that is what i should do.
2) ‘You can’t boycott everyone.’
Of course. But does that mean i should not boycott anyone? Seriously, what are these people smoking man.
3) ‘It’s better to work on other things that you can change.’
Erm, go ahead, but how does boycotting impede your ability to work on other ‘important things’? And there will always be ‘more important things’; unfortunately, too often that is just rhetoric to excuse one’s self from doing anything.
—–
If you choose not to support the BDS movement and the like, fine. But don’t belittle others who try to do something. If you have good arguments against it, bring them forward. Don’t articulate silly red herrings.
It is even worse when the very same people who teach us ‘no deed is too small in the sight of God’, ‘we must encourage even the smallest good act’, etc, immediately abandon these pieces of advice when they themselves are not in agreement with specific acts. For these people, it’s my way or the highway.
May we not be from amongst those arrogant people who think we have a monopoly on goodness.
Source: Walid J. Abdullah
