"How To" Activism

[bogie]

Guys, I keep hearing about people vowing to boycott, cancelling cell service, etc...

Fine.

But it doesn't do a dang thing if you don't tell their CORPORATE higher-ups _why_ you are doing it.

The first order of business should be to disarm, walk into the store, and explain to the manager why you are peeved. If the manager isn't there, ask for the number, and then call back. Be civil, but let the folks know that the sign doesn't make you feel safe.

Talk to the corporate office, and ask if the sign is a corporate policy, or if it is just some wild idea that the folks in Podunkville decided to implement.

Odds are that the folks in Podunkville will get a serious chewing from corporate.

 

[halvey]

Simple, yet exactly right!

 

[bogie]

Whatever you do, do not say things like...

"I will never be back."

"I'm shopping at S-Mart now, and like it better than your store."

...and other things that lead to burned bridges. If they don't think they've got a chance to regain you as a customer, they write you off. Why change a policy - you ain't comin' back anyway!

Instead, say something like... "You know, I really liked shopping here, and I would again, but I don't want to have to walk unarmed past that sign that tells all the carjackers and muggers that your customers are easy targets."

 

[bogie]

Also, do not scare folks you perceive to be "antis." Odds are they're sittin' on the fence because they're uneducated. That can be fixed. Don't bore 'em to death tho... And don't use terms like "sheeple" around 'em.

I've got a friend who persists in telling folks that he's been carrying illegally for the past 20 years. DOH! That makes him a criminal! It doesn't matter that he's concerned that they've got the sign up. He just scared 'em!

Instead, he should tell them that he's a respected member of the community (he is), has had background checks and a lot of training, and that he is disturbed because they don't want him as a customer, while at the same time they allow folks such as convicted child molesters to walk through the front door.

Think before you open your mouth.