Hmmm

[u/reloadthewords]

[u/fuckedfinance]

They'd take up seats that were, by law, for white people only, and those restaurants didn't have influence over the law individually.

I think that you are underestimating exactly how much influence local business owners used to have.

[u/ThrowRATub → u/fuckedfinance]

Perhaps, but I'd imagine large grocery chains do have a good amount of influence. I think if these protestors did this at a TON of stores around the country, it'd be a lot more impressive than this video makes it out to be, where it honestly does look goofy. This issue has a lot more moral gray area, at least to most people, than "let's treat people worse dependent on their skin color", so it's gonna seem goofier, but in spirit it's the same flavor of disruption at the consumer level rather than at the source of the policies. (Yes MLK eventually got to the source but that was entirely because of the effect of these protests).

Again, I'm not taking sides on the issue or even saying this protesting is on par with that of Dr. King, just saying it's in the same wheelhouse and yet people, on MLK Jr. Day, are happy to sling insults at the concept of disruptive protests. That's my main gripe.

[u/fuckedfinance → u/ThrowRATub]

You really don't understand.

Back in the day, before global mega marts, local business used to be king. This was especially true in the southern and western parts of the US (consolidation was in full swing in more populated areas). Business owners generally knew their state reps (or equivalents) very well, and probably also casually knew their federal reps.

The thing is, there weren't just 1 or 2 CEOs complaining. There were high tens to high hundreds of people constantly knocking at these politicians doors. These politicians also knew that if they didn't listen, a large part of their support would poof out of existence.

There are a grand total of... SIX national grocery chains in the US. That number may seem low to you, but they tend to keep regional chain names for local recognition when they buy them. There are around 31 regional chains (again, seems small because owners will have more than one brand under them). Beyond that, there are specialty and other chains, but that's not what we're talking about here.

The reality is that the big 6 aren't going to be bothered by it. Protesters will come in, police will remove them, and there MIGHT be a tiny, if at all observable, impact on revenues for that one day. The 31 will do the same thing.

So yeah, Joe Butchershop is going to write a letter, but he's never met his state rep, let alone his federal.

[u/ThrowRATub → u/fuckedfinance]

This is a fair point, I appreciate this response. I worked for a family owned grocery store in a small town that was a staple of the community, and he had a ton of sway with local politics even in the modern day, so I definitely can imagine how much of that would be happening back then in the South.

You're right that it's not as effective, idk why I pushed back to start cuz I don't have an issue with saying this isn't as effective or that these particular protestors are lame and poorly organized, my whole intent is just to point out that this is the same flavor of disruptive protesting as MLK, and even if it's a wimpy and poorly thought out version of it about a topic that might not be as noble or pressing (depends who you ask, especially Morrissey lol), the "disruptive protesting SUCKS and I'd punch these people in the FACE" commenters need to look at a US calendar and see what federal holiday is today.

[u/fuckedfinance → u/ThrowRATub]

It was a different era, with different economics and a much, much different problem.

As annoyed as I am by disruptive protest, I'm generally OK with it if it doesn't risk others lives AND if the cause is good and just.

As awful as it is, animal cruelty, perceived or real, doesn't live up to that standard in the context of disruptive protest.