My suggestion: support local businesses

[rosaria12]

I think a major way we can advocate for social justice is to just support small, family-run, local businesses. It boosts the local economy and you can have greater assurance of where your products came from. Most major corporations support various forms of immoral activities, so I generally boycott these multi-billion dollar giants. I prefer to shop at farmer’s markets, local shops that support my parish, etc. I occasionally grow my own food and mostly walk everywhere (I don’t own a car & I rarely take public transit). Obviously, this will not work for everyone, so I am not trying to offend anyone who continues shopping at the big-box stores or the big-branded shops. I just think that every little bit counts – the least we co-operate with evil, the better. The less money these companies get from us, the less they have to spend on morally-problematic causes (although I admit they possess huge amounts of wealth). Don’t be discouraged by thinking you won’t make much of a difference. Mother Teresa said: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

*I also refuse to support charities that fund immoral activities. There are many good organizations that change lives without participating in immoral practices. It is especially important for me that Catholic organizations live up to their Catholic name and stay true to the teachings of the Church. Unfortunately, certain Catholic charities have not done this.

 

[KrazyKat]

Most of the local businesses are too expensive. As for farmers markets, there is no recourse when they sell you a bad product.

 

[christofirst]

I might be wrong, but it seems like Amazon’s business model might be helping small businesses in a way that retail giants like Walmart are not. Increasingly, the items I order through Amazon are sold and shipped directly from some smaller retailer (just how small, I do not know). This is especially true with used books and specialty items. In this way, Amazon is acting more like a clearing house or a marketplace for these smaller, local businesses to reach a much wider customer base. One thing is certain, small businesses must be open to change in order to survive in a more competitive and global economy.