Smart giving

where democrats need to be, working at a food bank

Recently, I've seen all kinds of proposals from people, from sending donations to groups your conservative relatives oppose to shopping only at No Sweat. Now, seccession.

Some I greet with weary disdain, some with outright irritation.

Why?

Because as a 40 year old black man, I've seen this all before. The strident politics, the boycotts, the call for seperation.

You know the most successful relic of this entire era of black nationalism?

Kwanzaa.

A made up holiday by black radicals who thought Christmas wasn't black enough.

What is it now?

A cute holiday for kids.

When people talk about Christmas boycotts and shopping at No Sweat (which is a fine option) and donating money to groups which your relatives don't support, it's a sad, mournful refrain, tools of the weak and desperate.

First, a donation to Planned Parenthood or Doctors without Borders or whatever, should be made from a generous heart, not spite. It shouldn't be used to get back at people. Instead, I would just buy phone cards and send them to Walter Reed. You can make a point, do something good and not be so strident. Most people would think that a lovely gesture. Even if you're tossing their support of George Bush and his war in their face.

Second, I've seen black seperatists in action. Would you trust Louis Farrakhan to secure your rights? Malcolm X wanted his share of states. Why did black people ultimately reject this? Because we were Americans, not some alien race which had to be isolated. Louis Farrakhan got a million black men to march on Washington and then he went on about the Mother Wheel. Talk about a lost opportunity. Instead of calling for an number of social changes, or movements, he went back into the wacko file and lost a moment for national credibility.

Third, so a few people don't shop. I doubt anyone would notice. My parents stayed home every November 1st on Black Solidarity Day. Sure, it made a point, but people started to ignore it as I grew older.

I'm tired of negative spitework and calling it a protest. It isn't. It doesn't change minds. It makes you look and seem strident.

Protest is for January 20th.

I have some ideas on how to do positive things, which makes a point and a real statement.

1) Shop at Toys R' Us and Target over Wal-Mart.

Toys 'R' Us Slashes Prices for Holidays in Attempt to Rebound From Losses

Nov. 23--It could be the last big hurrah for Toys "R" Us.

In a last-ditch effort to fight off intense price competition from big discounters like Wal-Mart and Target, the troubled toy retailer said yesterday the discounts it has embraced will be the rule for the rest of the holiday season.

CEO John Eyler said the company won't be "outdone on pricing," during the holiday sales rush, though he cautioned he also won't engage in a "price war" by slashing deeply.

"I am finding good prices, though they could always be better," said Mary Clarke of Washington Heights, browsing the doll section for a gift for her niece at the company's Times Square store yesterday.

Amid swirling reports that it may junk the toy business to focus on its more profitable Babies "R" Us unit, Toys "R" Us said it lost $25 million for the three months ended in October. That's better than the $46 million loss in the same period last year, thanks to a big cost-cutting effort. The announcement boosted Toys shares 42 cents to $19.78 yesterday.

Still, sales fell 1.7 percent, making analysts question whether it can rebound from the industry price squeeze from the big discounters.

"I think Toys 'R' Us is destined for oblivion -- it can't stand up to the discounters," said Kurt Barnard of Barnard's Retail Trend Report.

The company also will face renewed competition on the high end from FAO Schwartz, the bankrupt retailer launching a big Thanksgiving Day re-opening on Fifth Avenue.

Toymakers like Mattel and Hasbro, whose profits have also suffered from Wal-Mart's market power, have given Toys "R" Us a hand this year by offering it 21 exclusives -- such as Hokey Pokey Elmo and Big Air Ball Tower, a 5-foot-tall construction toy set -- a quarter of the chain's inventory.

Wal-Mart wants to drive yet another American business into the dirt and then offer fewer choices to the consumer.

Simply put, support companies which support American workers and your values. You don't have to jump up and down about it, just make it clear that you rather shop elsewhere and encourage people to do the same. Not giving Wal-Mart your money is a positive statement. Telling others to avoid them as well is a positive statement. Not a boycott, but a market choice.

2) Give positively

Supporting the USO and injured soldiers is a positive activity. One which celebrates the season and makes a point about the war. We haven't forgotten the wounded and damaged. Volunteering at the local VA or homeless shelter does the same thing. Support the poor and desperate in a meaningful, generous way. You can get a dig in, if you need to, but help people first. Hard hearts help no one. Toys for Tots is another positive act.

3) Do charity work

If you're a member of a meetup or Democracy for America chapter, do something positive. Hold a party for foster kids or pregnant teens. Do an event at an elder center. The idea is not to push politics, but to be seen as active members of the community. Be public minded citizens, and make it clear that you're doing your civic duty. Of course, shirts with donkeys on them wouldn't kill. I remember reading about a Dean for America chapter which cleaned up a park. That's the kind of thing people need to carry forward.

My point is that we need to start demonstrating our beliefs. If we want a better America, one where cruelty isn't in fashion, we need to do things which represent our values. Positive, helpful things which make us look like civic minded citizens who care about their community. I've seen how negative talk paralyzes a community, and fossilizes discussion. It eventually makes those people irrelevant as well. We need to represent a positive face to the community. Get positive stories out there about groups of Democrats helping people who need it.

If I'd lived in a red state, I'd go to a conservative, poor place and give their kids a party. I'd go to a blue county or town as well. I'd walk into a fundie church and ask for their help.

Why?

I want them to think, when they needed help, who helped them. The GOP, who took their vote and ignored them afterwards, or the Dems, who do not ever expect their vote, helped their kids. I'd want one on one contact with people. You can't change everyone but you want to at least talk to them as humans, and let them see you the same way. It may not work, but if you can establish trust, that will be to your credit.

Many of us do individual charity. It's time to brand what we do.

Politics is public service. You can't change minds when all people see are sterotypes. Sure, some people may refuse. And some people may be too pissed to do this. But when was the last time political people helped anyone but themselves? If you help people's kids, they may actually listen to you when other things come up.

The reason that fundies hold such sway is that there are few places for single moms to get support. They're there, they create community. If we can show that we're care too, and we do, that they might listen to us for a school board vote or local council race.

If you've never been poor and alone, you have no idea what a single act of kindness can mean to a desperate mom and her kids. Christmas is a hard time for them in this society, seeing things they can't afford. An act of kindness is not only a good thing, it also says they're not alone, that more than the church cares for them.

Think about it. When was the last time the GOP backers outside of churches did anything to help anyone but themselves? If you want a different America, let's build it one person at a time.

posted by Steve @ 1:06:00 AM