Big Mama Said:
Commentary by Terry Allen, Special to shades Magazine
(EDITOR’S NOTE: On Friday, the grassroots organization The People’s Union USA is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money – a form of “economic resistance” to protest the influence billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties have on working Americans. The activist movement said it is the first of many consumer boycotts that include Walmart, Target, Amazon and other major retailers it has planned in the upcoming months.)
“If You Think You Are Too Small to Make a Difference,
You Haven’t Spent the Night with a Mosquito.
Boycott Now!” ~ Big Mama
Big Mama always knew how to put things in perspective.
“Baby,” she’d say, “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, you ain’t never spent the night with a mosquito.”
It’s true … one tiny pest can ruin your sleep and just like that, a small, but determined, group can shake the world.
We, as Black consumers, hold an enormous amount of power. Our annual spending tops $1.6 trillion — yes, trillion with a “T.” Yet too often, we pour our money into businesses and institutions that don’t respect us, protect us or invest in our communities. It’s time we take a page from history and wield our economic power like a weapon.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott wasn’t just about bus seats — it was about dignity, justice and collective power. For more than a year, Black folks refused to ride the buses, forcing the system to bend to our demands. If they could do it then, we can certainly do it now.
Right now, there are at least three pressing reasons why we must boycott:
- Attacks on our voting rights – State after state is making it harder for us to vote; closing polling places, purging voter rolls and pushing laws designed to silence us. If they won’t respect our voices at the ballot box, we must make them feel our absence at the cash register.
- Corporate support of injustice – Too many companies talk about diversity, but fund politicians who pass racist policies. If a business takes our dollars and doesn’t take a stand for our people, they don’t deserve a dime from us.
- Economic exploitation – We are trendsetters, culture creators and the backbone of many industries, yet Black businesses still struggle for equal access to capital and opportunities. Why keep making others rich while our own struggle?
Big Mama always said, “A closed mouth don’t get fed.” If we want change, we have to demand it — and that starts with where we spend our money.
Share your thoughts and experiences with me via 1016media.com. Let’s build this movement together!
More stories/information:
- MoneyWatch – Talk of a “Feb 28 Economic Blackout” is spreading on social media. What is it?
- USA Today – Consumers are boycotting major retailers. Here’s what they plan for ‘blackout’ on Feb. 28
- #LatinoFreezeMovement – “Latinos and Latinas stop spending money.“
Share your thoughts and experiences with me at the paper. Let’s build this movement together!