Ok so I'm totally on board. But I'd like more information on our ongoing goals and our end-point.
Can we come up with a list of:
1) Black OWNED (not fronted) BSSs (I see we already have a list on that website. But there are a few that aren't on there like Nicholas in BK that was mentioned in this thread so maybe we can come up with a more comprehensive list that includes ones that people know of personally. We could also send this info to that website so they can also be up to date.)
2) Black OWNED hair AND skin care products. Even if people do end up slipping up and going into a Korean BSS, they should at least buy the black owned products.
3) Black distributors. We need to know the names of the larger companies that could be buying out the smaller black companies so if all of a sudden we see a different distributor name on the label, we know we have to research and change brands if our money is no longer going into black pockets. For example, ORS used to be owned by Namaste (owner was black Gary Gardner) but was sold to Dabur (Indian company). Once we can readily recognize these distributor names, we can know who to support.
4) That leads me to my next point: Maybe a long term we can come up with a sticker on products and even on the door of brick and mortar stores that will tell us that they are black owned. This is kind of like how on kosher foods for Jewish people, they have the circle K or circle U. Perhaps we can work with the Black Business Association to figure out a way to independently evaluate companies that want to officially be Buy It Black approved ti verify their black owned AND run status. This would have to be something that is thoroughly researched so not just any company or product with a black "front" would be able to earn this sticker/ stamp of approval. Hopefully our boycott can be strong enough to earn black consumers as a whole some respect so that companies will really covet getting the B.I.B. approval...Just dreaming long term here.
5) In general, we need to encourage the public to read labels. Nothing too deep or we will lose the majority. But just basic things like looking for high quality ingredients (just the basics, nothing that even we on here can't agree on) and how to take the time to scan the distributors to see where our money is going (both the company and distributor's name AND the country that the product is manufactured in).
I understand all of these things will not necessarily be immediate. However, the first 2-3 are things that we need to put in our fact sheet so the supporters are aware of the full issue. We don't want people saying that we don't even know what we are boycotting for.
So excited to get this started!
Yes, this is what I was talking about with the icon (I still have no idea what's really called) similar to the cruelty free rabbit >>>>
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=crue...tart=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=56&ty=39 that shows this site/blog/vlogger/etc is black owned. I love the sticker idea too. That would be so unifying if suddenly there was an image that started showing up on t-shirts, stores, bummers, everywhere. LOVE IT! I am so ready for this. Also, have you guys heard of kickstarter.com? It would be a great way to get those fund together so we can start support (financially) those black owned business and communities. Check it out:
http://www.kickstarter.com/
This is an excerpt from their site:
Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.
A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.
All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.
Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse. We hope you agree... Welcome to Kickstarter!