Against Quote by John Berger
“Boycott is not a principle. When it becomes one, it itself risks becoming exclusive and racist. No boycott, in our sense of the term, should be directed against an individual, a people, or a nation as such.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Ways of Seeing, 1972
Boycotts can become exclusionary and racist if treated as universal principles, targeting groups rather than specific actions.
In simple terms: Boycotts may turn discriminatory when applied broadly.
Key Takeaway
Avoid blanket boycotts; target specific policies.
Themes
ethics
activism
inclusion
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political protest
- consumer activism
- human rights campaigns
Key Concepts
social justice
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure boycotts target unjust actions, not identities?
- What alternatives exist to inclusive protest?
A Different Perspective
Boycotts can be misused to marginalize.
![“There's the artist's intimacy and truthfulness to himself, but an equal intimacy to the Other [the one drawn]. Picasso drawings are like that... the Rembrandts are like that. The artist who most often did that was Van Gogh.” quote by John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d1/john-berger-1590_art_there-s-the-artist-s-intimacy-and-truthf_155171.jpg)
