Soft Power

The definition of soft power runs along the lines of “a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence." (via the Oxford dictionary). And we friends, are the ultimate soft power-ers.

If you haven’t heard, today (2/28/2025) is an economic Blackout, organized by a group called the People’s Union. I’m not participating due to the union (tbh I have to research it a bit more) but I’ve been aware of this as a date to start using my spending power for good.

Some folks have said that this is performative. What can one day do? But, if you think about it outside of the context of immediacy and within the context of preparing for the long game, then this is kind of the perfect way to start. It’s gotten enough coverage to make it to the mainstream news outlets, it has a super cute graphic AND, its coming on the heels of seeing the results of our efforts to let certain companies know that we are not cool with the DEIA erasure.

Essentially it’s a lukewarm bucket of water being gently tossed on to the faces of the people who don’t usually get involved. And I think it will work. As a longtime activist, I’m used to, well, failure. We have known, for years, that people outside of activism focused groups, will only get involved if something affects them personally. Empathy is not standard, it is a gift that is meant to be nurtured and facts - most people don’t even try to give empathy a 30 second commercial break in their head. BUT - what we are seeing is money being targeted, and THAT affects EVERYONE. Beggars can’t be choosers, and as much as I would LOVE to get people to change their perspectives and make an effort to empathize with folks who don’t look like, talk like or walk like them, I will take what I can get.

Today is not the only day to make your feelings known in peaceful resistance. There are more opportunities coming.