Posted on 08/24/2013 1:19:57 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
A group of African-American activists, community leaders and college professors are calling for the boycott of Koch Industries as a way to honor slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin, pushing for continued dialogue on race relations nationwide.
While speaking at an event titled “From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin: A Town Hall Meeting on Black Bodies and American Racism” at Washington, D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theater, a panel of prominent African-Americans gathered to examine ways to combat the racism that they say led to George Zimmerman’s acquittal last month. When asked about the failed boycotts of places like Disney World in Orlando, Fla., one panelist revealed her efforts to combat the proponents of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
“We’re asking people not to buy from that company that created those ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws,” said the Rev. Carolyn Boyd, an adjunct pastor at Plymouth Congregation United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. ”Y’all know that company with those people, the Kochs. Paper towels and all those products that we buy — Walmart — all the time, that make those people rich and make us poor.”
The pastor directed the audience to stop purchasing things like Angel Soft toilet paper, Brawny paper towels and Vanity Fair napkins — all subsidiaries of Koch Industries — in an initiative called “No-Buy Fridays.”
“…We begin to elevate our power to say, ‘No, I’m not buying your products because you’re harming the black community,’” Boyd said.
The town hall, sponsored by Rock the Vote, among other organizations, addressed concerns from members of the African-American community and featured a panel of six speakers: Boyd, Louisa Davis, Jessica Frances Dukes, Dr. Dennis Rogers, Dawn Ursula and Gabriel Rojo. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) was also in attendance for a brief period of time.
The group acted to facilitate a dialogue on the actions of Zimmerman — the 29-year-old Hispanic man who shot and killed Martin, an African-American — and called Martin’s death the catalyst for a “renewed civil rights movement.”
“To me, it’s a continuation of a tough conversation … that puts more to our argument that there can never be justice on stolen land,” said Rogers, an assistant professor of political science at Bowie State University.
While many on the panel believed Zimmerman killed Martin because of his race, others saw it as a failure of the justice system, faulting the jury’s inability to see past Martin’s black skin and Zimmerman’s white complexion. The six-person jury consisted of five white women and one Hispanic woman.
“Emmett Till was a young prince who broke our hearts years ago, but now, I guess what I want to say is I don’t want to blame George Zimmerman,” said Davis, an adjunct professor at Montgomery College. “I want us to look at the system that let him free and not make it personal … It’s the propagation of fear and we have to take our legal system back from fear.”
Following Zimmerman’s acquittal, many African-Americans took to the streets of major metropolitical cities nationwide in protest. The Rev. Al Sharpton called on the Department of Justice to bring up civil rights charges against Zimmerman. And even President Obama spoke about his disappointment surrounding the not guilty verdict, saying Martin could have been him.
Still, many remain standing in solidarity with Martin. Earlier this month, Ebony magazine unveiled four tribute covers to the Florida teen, one featuring Martin’s family and three featuring well known African-American men and their sons and the words “We Are Trayvon.” Additionally, Oprah Winfrey spoke openly about the case with theGrio’s Chris Witherspoon, saying Martin paralleled Till.
I give up. Maybe this is satire?
Boy, I sure hope they don’t get confused and stop using toilet paper.
Thank you.
Again, what does Koch have to do with the Trayvon case?
Not to mention, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.
I can explain it to you, but to understand it, you'll need a lobotomy.
A very small percentage of 13% of the population.
Let 'em raise all the Hell they want.
At the very least, insist on hiring parity. One white basketball player for every black basketball player. Heya!
Sorry, but these individuals are just plain stupid.
> “...boycott any busineses with black employees.” Like the NBA or the NFL?
Negro Football League, African American Football Leage, and the Negro Basketball Association...
You said it.I also used to care but don’t anymore.
The whining,the accusations of racism,the self pity,and the crime in black communities has completely turned me around.
.
Time to stop feeding the monster, them.
They are showing their true colors (no pun intended). Losers and whiners, with attitudes that will guarantee permanency at the bottom of the socio-economic barrel.
WTFO?
Koch Industries is so heavily dependent on the industrial purchasing of American blacks, isn’t it.
Uhhmmm, on second thought .........
I was just being flippantly sarcastic, but now that I think about it some, not only would the point get across, but such a change in shopping by a large number would really help all those little mom and pop businesses. The major chains and box stores all have to adhere to equal employment laws - except for the NBA or NFL...
I get my boots shined by black guys. Last time, the guy was going on about government overreach and too many laws, and complained about Obama being worthless. I tipped him very well.
Can we get our EBT cards back then since they won’t be needing them while they boycott?
Just print the packaging names in cursive. They won’t know what to do.
I know you were being sarcastic but I wasn’t. If at all possible I don’t do business with any commies or their supporters.
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