Boycotts Require More Than a Flyer

I know everyone wants to do something. You feel powerless given what has happened in just one week. But, my love, organizing a boycott is not as simple as posting a flyer or an Instagram graphic.

For a boycott—or any other direct action—to be effective, you need people in the community to actively join in. That takes planning and coordination. This isn’t to discourage you. It’s to encourage you to step away from Canva and be in community with people—offline and local.

Boycotts don’t work in isolation. They are much more effective when they are part of larger organizing efforts that are built on community meetings, strategy sessions and sustained pressure. They also demand something concrete—policy changes, fair treatment, or accountability. The power of a boycott isn’t just in withholding dollars—it’s in demonstrating collective strength and forcing change. This is why they must be planned, with clear demands and widespread participation, not just an individual decision to stop buying something.

In the meantime, there are existing local fights that have been waiting for you. They need your time, your talent, and yes, your treasure. If you dig deep where you live, you’ll find fights for a more equitable state budget. There’s statewide legislation stuck in committee that needs your amplification. There are local policies and laws that need to be rewritten or struck down. There are local and independent news sources that could use your readership.

You may have voted for your local representative, your mayor, or even your governor. They may share your political party, your values, or even look like you. But how can someone represent you if they never hear from you? Have you talked to them after the election? Have you been paying attention to what they’ve been doing since their swearing-in or inauguration party?

After the broken promise of Reconstruction and the installation of a hostile government following Lincoln’s assassination, our ancestors built anyway. They built schools—even when many of them couldn’t read. They built communities, businesses, and entire towns. They built wealth. They governed and protected themselves. And they did it all under hostile federal, state, and local governments—with far fewer tools than we have today.

This is not the time to despair.
This is the time to match our social media posts with our offline actions.
This is the time to build.

Note: I deliberately didn’t name specific organizations or local fights for you to get involved in. That’s because this work requires you to do the work—to look up what’s happening where you live, to see what fights are already in motion, and to figure out where your time, talent, and treasure are most needed.

So, tell me—what’s one local fight you’ve been meaning to get involved in? Drop it in the comments or share how you're taking action.