While most people upset about #cancelculture are male comedians who can't seem to understand why exploiting women and then joking about it has negatively impacted their careers, the internet's ability to instantly "cancel" humans for a lack of "wokeness" is not particularly helpful as we navigate a new era of online activism. It's time to use the mystical powers of the internet mob to cancel where it counts: in our bank accounts. Humans are allowed to make mistakes, but, despite what the Twitter war between Wendy's and Burger King may lead you to believe, corporations are not humans. They have nearly unlimited resources and influence and are given every opportunity to know better and do better for their employees and communities. So when they don't, we call upon the trusty internet guillotine. That is if the army of KPop stans will let us borrow it.
1. Chick-fil-A
I'm sure you're wondering how, when the company donated 1.8 million dollars to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations in 2017 alone, Chick-fil-A needs to be canceled AGAIN in 2020, but, ladies and gentleman, we are once again asking Americans to stop buying chicken sandwiches that actively funnel millions of dollars into organizations that shame and devalue the LGBTQ+ community. Just because they said in 2019 that there was a chance that possibly they maybe would attempt to not bankroll homophobia anymore doesn't mean that Chick-fil-A is a trustworthy home for your hard-earned dollars.
Instead, try:
Popeyes- An equally delicious chicken sandwich without the bitter aftertaste of "sexual purity" contracts
Wingstop- Rick Ross owns nine franchises. He featured the lemon pepper wings in his songs. What more could one ask for?
2. Starbucks
As someone who spent multiple hours a week at my local Starbucks in high school, I cried soft tears over this one, but there's nothing "up in the air" about forbidding your employees from wearing apparel that supports the Black Lives Matter movement, as the company explicitly did in an official memo that was leaked by Buzzfeed News on June 10th, 2020. After being absolutely ~dragged~ by nearly every teenager with an iPhone, Starbucks hastily recounted their policy and vowed to give the 250,000 Black Lives Matter T-shirts (Starbucks branded, of course) to their employees, presumably instead of selling them. Hold on to your iced caramel macchiatos, because it gets worse. In 2019, the union organization UNITE HERE reported that black baristas at HMSHost Starbucks are paid $1.85 less than white baristas on average. The report also outlines the years of abuse endured by HMSHost Starbucks employees, most of whom are people of color. HMSHost Starbucks baristas reported being repeatedly harassed for their gender or sexuality at work and, on top of that, are paid disproportionately low wages. Starbucks has yet to address the UNITE HERE report or the lengthy list of allegations it includes.
Instead, try:
Dunkin'- mmmm tastes like it was made by someone who feels comfortable in their place of business
Even Better- your local coffee shop! (in Chambana, try Cafe Paradiso or Espresso Royale)
Best- check out Official Black Wallstreet's list of black-owned coffee brands. You can order the products wherever you live and brew it yourself!
3. Jimmy John's
The founder of Jimmy John's, Jimmy John Liataud, has a penchant for hunting big game, including elephants, and donated $100,000 to Donald Trump's reelection campaign. U of I's very own Smile Politely published photos of Liataud next to the large game he killed in 2011. Why Jimmy, why? Oh, how fast the tides turn. How freaky, freaky fast.
Instead, try:
Subway- Ahem *taps mic* five dollar. FiVe DoLLAr! FIVE DOLLAR FOOT LOOOOONG!!!
Potbelly Sandwich Shop- They put those little circle shortbread cookies on your milkshake straws that taste like love. Little shortbreads for animal rights 2020!!
4. McDonald's
Photo by Joiarib Morales Uc on UnsplashMcDonald's has repeatedly failed to address its systemic sexual harassment problem, refuses to take responsibility when McDonald's franchises skirt labor laws and don't pay workers a living wage, and carelessly puts its workers, including the immunocompromised, at risk during the pandemic.
Instead, try:
There is nothing, NOTHING that only McDonald's offers. I am hard-pressed to even think of something McDonald's is KNOWN for unless... unless human beings.... still consume... Big Macs........... I banish the thought. Go to Fatburger for human food or pick up some cajun fries from Meatheads. We can do this.
When in doubt, eat local. While some choices are better than others, the fast-food industry has a long history of exploitation and greed. Money talks. Actually, it yells. In a society that is completely structured around buying and selling, money is the only way to hold corporations accountable for their social and economic impact. If we choose better, they will be forced to do better. If we have the privilege of choice, it is our responsibility to choose better.