This response is not necessarily a direct response, just using the quote as a reference for a further expounding of the idea, but feel free to respond as if it was a direct response also.
For general consumption:
13 Mainstream Corporations Benefiting from the Prison Industrial Complex
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/10...benefiting-from-the-prison-industrial-complex
Interesting, thanks.
Wholes Foods
https://news.vice.com/article/whole-foods-expensive-cheese-and-the-dilemma-of-cheap-prison-labor
Would have to add Microsoft Corp. (Bill Gate; Gates Foundation)
http://www.iamawake.co/revealed-bil...n-fast-food-private-prison-and-oil-companies/
http://thetimesnot.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=99
Here are 40 more...
- Abbott Laboratories
- AT&T Inc.
- Autozone, Inc.
- Bank of America Corporation
- Bayer Corporation
- Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
- Cargill, Inc.
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Chevron Corporation
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Deere & Company
- Golden Gate Capital
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- GlaxoSmithKline PLC
- Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
- Hoffmann Laroche Inc.
- International Paper Company
- VF Corporation
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sears Holdings Corporation
- Koch Industries, Inc.
- Mary Kay, Inc.
- McDonald's Corporation
- Merck & Co Inc
- Motorola
- Nintendo Co. Ltd.
- Pfizer Inc.
- The Procter & Gamble Company
- PepsiCo Inc.
- ConAgra Foods, Inc.
- Hillshire Brands Company
- Royal Dutch Shell plc
- Wireless Solutions Incorporated
- State Farm Insurance
- United Continental Holdings
- United Parcel Service, Inc.
- Limited Brands
- George Weston Limited
https://www.buycott.com/campaign/companies/504/boycott-companies-that-use-prison-labor
Meaning if one has AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, they would boycott by switching to T-Mobile, Boost, Virgin, or Cricket for cellular.
But not stopping there...
BANKS: American General Financial Group, American Express Company, Bank of America, Community Financial Services Corporation, Credit Card Coalition, Credit Union National Association, Inc., Fidelity Inestments, Harris Trust & Savings Bank, Household International, LaSalle National Bank, J.P. Morgan & Company, Non-Bank Funds Transmitters Group
ENERGY PRODUCERS/OIL: American Petroleum Institute, Amoco Corporation, ARCO, BP America, Inc., Caltex Petroleum, Chevron Corporation, ExxonMobil Corporation, Mobil Oil Corporation, Phillips Petroleum Company.
INSURANCE: Alliance of American Insurers, Allstate Insurance Company, American Council of Life Insurance, American Insurance Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Corporation, Coalition for Asbestos Justice, (
This organization was formed in October 2000 to explore new judicial approaches to asbestos litigation." Its members include ACE-USA, Chubb & Son, CNA service mark companies, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Kemper Insurance Companies, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Counsel to the coalition is Victor E. Schwartz of the law firm of Crowell & Moring in Washington, D.C., a longtime ALEC ally.) Fortis Health, GEICO, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Guarantee Trust Life Insurance, MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, National Association of Independent Insurers, Nationwide Insurance/National Financial, State Farm Insurance Companies, Wausau Insurance Companies, Zurich Insurance.
MANUFACTURING:American Plastics Council, Archer Daniels Midland Corporation, AutoZone, Inc. (aftermarket automotive parts), Cargill, Inc., Caterpillar, Inc., Chlorine Chemistry Council, Deere & Company, Fruit of the Loom, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inland Steel Industries, Inc., International Game Technology, International Paper, Johnson & Johnson, Keystone Automotive Industries, Motorola, Inc., Procter & Gamble, Sara Lee Corporation.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: AT&T, Ameritech, BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., GTE Corporation, MCI, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, SBC Communications, Inc., Sprint, UST Public Affairs, Inc., Verizon Communications, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION: Air Transport Association of America, American Trucking Association, The Boeing Company, United Airlines, United Parcel Service (UPS).
OTHER U.S. COMPANIES: Amway Corporation, Cabot Sedgewick, Cendant Corporation, Corrections Corporation of America, Dresser Industries, Federated Department Stores, International Gold Corporation, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Microsoft Corporation, Newmont Mining Corporation, Quaker Oats, Sears, Roebuck & Company, Service Corporation International, Taxpayers Network, Inc., Turner Construction, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Read more
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/14/928611
From all of this I get one idea... become proactive by stop being so active in spending and not investing.
I would rather call it "spinning" as that is what has become of collective commerce that we desire to consider as real.
Real commerce has a constant flow from point A to point B to point C to point D, then back to point A.
View attachment 6248
There should be a set structure that is simple and easy to follow, but flexible enough that there are still options and not just "shop at Joe's".
If we convey a personal investment into our needs first, and how we respect the value of the investment in what we choose to invest in, boycotting Walmart, Pepsi or any of these international corporations would not cross our minds. Local investment is difficult because small businesses are being abandoned by the some people that we would call to boycott them.
They choose the big businesses and international corporation brands for the same reason children fight over Air Jordans and not Starbury's.
What if we find out that 90% of the companies we "spin" (gamble) with are someway involved in nefarious elements that would contribute to our supplication and servitude?
Could we consciousness cut down on our wild "spinning", or would we still desire to keep up with the Jones'?
Remember many of us are still immature, and when in our younger years we would feel a certain way about not having the same clothes as another classmate. It's a mental condition that creates the desire to spin and not invest. But not just that, we don't have to spin or invest in order to live consciously and respond to the condition of others with that same commerce.
Make a list of the common needs that you and your family has.
Food, water, shelter, transportation, and communication outlets.
Note these are needs, not luxuries and/or desires.
So we can start making a difference by first isolating these in a practical and effective way that begins to create commerce.
Support family, not strangers. (self explanatory)
This is one of our biggest blunders, we desire to step outside of family movements in order to join outside movements that may have an agenda that isn't fully supportive or supported. Not suggesting to abandon external developments, just make it a family investment if this is going to be the move.
I have heard some suggest that "family members don't understand", then make them understand and give them the opportunity to listen. Many times we are not sure if we can discuss real and serious transformative ideals with family due to past history or preconceived notions based on general conversations.
Parents don't know their children, and children don't know their parents until both are comfortable enough to express their ideas without feeling they will get exiled (including mental illness).
There are a grand list of issues, but one of them shouldn't be family. We should be running away from the plantations, not toward them because we need to run away from family and home.
So maybe families could participate in the so called boycotts by expressing to other members that they are and why they are. Come time for family reunions, spread the information as well, and consider helping other family members in their ventures, as that investment has more worth and value, than that of any boycott.
Another thought (since someone mentioned churches), encourage churches to add businesses to their weekly announcements. What better way to lend support to local valued ventures?
And one last thought... "Black Solidarity"... another way of saying "put ideological differences aside and come together for economic survival"
The idea is great, nothing new though. Million Man Marches and rallies have shown this, and good does come from them so keep them going, but we have to realize not all of us think the same nor have the same ideas. If we accept a banner of solidarity based on one idea, would that idea be universal or indoctrinate those that do not initially accept it.
What would the solidarity be based on is my question, and how would it be expressed in such a way that all can accept and appreciate it, making it more than just a rhetorical idea, but a practical concept that is actionable?
Respect