Against corporatism, Noam Chomsky suggests getting active to make the
world a better place. The thing is... I think activism seems too low
brow for comfortable academics (who may or may not be able to
politically [or financially] afford to engage in meaningful activism at
the street level). As W would say, activism is hard work. Still, I
think it can be fun, rewarding, and effective. The idea that I've
tried to promote involves bringing all the various types of activists
in your area around one actual business. McDonald's is my favored
choice. You could bring together the environmentalist, the animal
rights/vegan eactivists, the labor activists, etc. and lay siege to one
particular store -- day in, day out, with a constant presence. If a
couple were always out front they would educate some people and simply
make others eat elsewhere to avoid any type of confrontation. On some
days many activists could be present and maybe occasionally at a
different store just to change things up. Stickers and stencils could
go up everywhere and Big Mac could become synonymous with spitburger.
Then, after one McDonalds is shut down they could move to the next or
go after The GAP or an EXXON/Mobil. Choosing the best storefront would
be of key importance. A McDonalds without a drive-thru on a pedestrian
route would be ideal. And although this ongoing protest wouldn't have
to involve rowdiness or illegality, creative pranks along the lines of
the yippies would be most useful. I'd love to hear thoughts from
others about bringing this idea to fruition.Against corporatism, Noam Chomsky suggests getting active to make the
world a better place. The thing is... I think activism seems too low
brow for comfortable academics (who may or may not be able to
politically [or financially] afford to engage in meaningful activism at
the street level). As W would say, activism is hard work. Still, I
think it can be fun, rewarding, and effective. The idea that I've
tried to promote involves bringing all the various types of activists
in your area around one actual business. McDonald's is my favored
choice. You could bring together the environmentalist, the animal
rights/vegan eactivists, the labor activists, etc. and lay siege to one
particular store -- day in, day out, with a constant presence. If a
couple were always out front they would educate some people and simply
make others eat elsewhere to avoid any type of confrontation. On some
days many activists could be present and maybe occasionally at a
different store just to change things up. Stickers and stencils could
go up everywhere and Big Mac could become synonymous with spitburger.
Then, after one McDonalds is shut down they could move to the next or
go after The GAP or an EXXON/Mobil. Choosing the best storefront would
be of key importance. A McDonalds without a drive-thru on a pedestrian
route would be ideal. And although this ongoing protest wouldn't have
to involve rowdiness or illegality, creative pranks along the lines of
the yippies would be most useful. I'd love to hear thoughts from
others about bringing this idea to fruition.
See also:
http://www.mcspotlight.org