More overthinking my consumer choices, aka:

Why I still💗🎯 : 

No entity—political, religious, social, or commercial--is pure good or pure evil.  Some align more with our beliefs than others.   We hold some to higher standards because we have come to expect more of them. 

I believe Target corporation is one of these. 

If we try to follow responsible consumer patterns, Target checks a lot of the boxes for Minnesotans: 

•  Local – started by the Dayton family.  None of whom are on the list of Super Billionaires.  Who is on the list?  3 members of the Walton family (of Wal-mart).  Jeff Bezos (Amazon).  All the social media we use via Musk and Zuckerberg.  The ultrarich, supporting the current administration, many bowing on the dais at the inauguration. 

  • Does the philanthropy by Mackenzie Scott offset the effects of Bezos, her ex-husband?  I don’t know.  Does it make me nervous that he also owns the Washington Post, and has power over what they publish?  Yes.  Democracy Dies in Darkness, indeed.  (TM Washington Post)

• Focused on higher quality items rather than the cheapest possible.  

  • More durable goods means less landfill.  Better wages, working conditions for those who make the goods, and by the way, Target employees.  

• Giving back to the community. 

  • 5% to schools around your Target, not just in Minnesota. 

  • They have sponsored the Minnesota Loons (MLS), Target Center and Target Field—home of the Minnesota Lynx, Timberwolves, Twins, concerts, tournaments, etc 

  • Local art museums and other community enrichment. 

  • No, not every group that gives back to a community is “doing the right thing” or a group that I support—tobacco companies in the South; the many, many things named after the Amway founders in Grand Rapids, Michigan, including the De Vos Women’s and Children’s Center where we trained.  Nothing is all good or all bad.  

• Policy of not selling firearms.  Because you don’t need to buy guns and ammo where you buy toilet paper and soup.  

• History of highlighting BIPOC owned brands and Pride merch.  Sometimes to great backlash.  

  • Ahh, the heart of the boycott.  Abandoning DEI policies and language in the face of the political threats.   Here we hold them to the higher standard.  Does anyone who regularly chose Target for their progressive stances now say that we should boycott Walmart? 

• Their food is sold in a quantity that is more likely to be eaten than tossed. 

  • I love Costco.  I appreciate all the efforts that they are putting into maintaining their DEI standards and support for the marginalized. I also know that 2 of us cannot buy produce there without wasting a significant portion.  And we do not need a 3 lb bag of Doritos—which will either go to waste or to waist. 

Yes, I could and should shop at a co-op or the farmer’s market when we can.  It’s not always feasible.  Yes, I could plan ahead and have less waste.   

Our family is no longer in the years of the last-minute scramble for graph paper or posterboard or glue sticks or markers or treats for the class that include a nut-free and gluten-free option.  We know lots of people who are in the thick of these years.  Who am I to tell them that Target drive-up isn’t a godsend when they need something before 8 am tomorrow? 

What will we lose if we lose Target as an option?  When or if brick and mortar stores are no longer, and we are totally reliant on Amazon?  Do you think that prices will go down? 

In the end, Target, Costco, Amazon, Walmart are all retailers.  They exist to sell us things.  Some of which we need.  Some of which we do not.  Some of which we didn’t even know were options.  I am not great at distinguishing between needs, wants and impulse purchases.  I am trying to buy less, buy used, buy responsibly for the environment—be it literally, socially, and/or politically.  (yes, wife, for real I am trying). Short of growing my own food, making my own clothing and living off the grid, I must rely on someone else to provide these goods.    Looking at the big picture, the long game, I think that Target is part of this plan, and one that I can support.   

I am not opposing the boycott.  I haven’t been to Target for a month—because I’m trying to buy less, period.   I admire those who take a stand and know what it means.  I’m not sure that Target deserves the hate it is getting.  

In case you were wondering, no regrets on getting rid of our Tesla. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to research CSA’s for the summer...on to overthinking something else.