Social Politics and the ‘Home Front’ of Consumer Boycotts

During a recent BBC radio four program that hosted Rob Harrison, the editor of the ethical consumer magazine, I was left feeling a little frustrated as people phoned in to talk about  consumer boycotts (Call You and Yours – 21st November). The host, Julian Worricker, did a fine job in covering plenty of ground in the time allocated. However, there seemed to be a skepticism over what consumer boycotts could actually achieve. This became particularly apparent when Worricker suggested that it might be impossible to know if anti-apartheid boycotts achieved tangible success. Admittedly the show was tailored to fit the consumer topic de rigueure* (boycott action and divestment over tax evasion, by the likes of Google, Amazon and Starbucks), but I felt that a little bit of history would have gone a long way. Sarah Emily Duff, a South African historian,  does an innovative job summarizing some of this history on her website on food and power – tangerineandcinnemon.

‘Beware! Product of Apartheid’: Culture Jamming Colonial ‘Blood Ties’ Through Oranges

During the early 1970s Outspan produced six of these orange cars for the Outspan Girls’ promotional campaigns in Europe. With their vibrant colour, three wheels and a top speed of 25 mph, the Outspan automobile was easily spotted and could not get away quickly enough from the BOA’s Inspan girls.