Dissidence, advocacy, activism - do you stick it to the man?

[Lulu]

PP I have no idea why you are even bothering to participate in this thread. It's not like anyone is holding a post it to your head....

[PinkPalace]

im sorry lulu - i thought this was a public forum open to opinions.

When with BellyBelly become about being small minded and being a flock of sheep on topics.

if you cant take a healthy debate perhaps you should post


I have an issue with what you do jsut the same as you have a problem with products etc.
isnt it all the same argument?

[Indadhanu]

PP, it might seem improper, or like its not going to make a difference, and you know what in the big scheme of things its not going to make a difference to the companies. But if I help one little person because their mum didn't buy a Tizzie Hall book, or draw one mums attention to the fact that toddler milk isnt necessary, and prompt them to go buy some bananas instead, then thats what matters really.

One person might not change the whole world. But one person can change one persons whole world. I guess thats what matters to me.

BTW, I find writing to these companies fairly pointless, as I know they'll just delete it. They don't care about anything else but their bottom line. I'd rather inform people, who might inform other people. Doesn't seem so dumb to me.


ETA: doudou LMAO at chaining yourself to a Tizzie Hall book!!!! Just don't start crying or they'll put you in a room by yourself until you realise no one is listening (ohhh, thats bad, mods delete it if you must...).

[Phteven]

PMSL at chaining yourself to the TH books.

[Phteven]

I have an issue with what you do jsut the same as you have a problem with products etc.
isnt it all the same argument?

Not really. Your issue is with what we do - we are people.
Our issue is with products - they are not people.

None the less you are welcome to participate in this thread as long as you like and I won't get upset that you're not being supportive.

And yep Leasha, the one group there that is no point in contacting is the company. When I wrote to all the baby food companies about mis-leading labelling they all ignored me. At least my MP and the health minister replied.

[PinkPalace]

. I'd rather inform people, who might inform other people. Doesn't seem so dumb to me.

I understand what you are trying to do leasha
but perhaps do a information morning at your community centre - write a letter to the local paper, start a public debate on a radio show.

these are much more productive than a post it note you have no idea if it will even be there 2 secs after you walk away

As for cows milk - the effects of cows milk on my DD was terrible and i didnt like the fact i was encouraged to only give it. i used toddler milk and my bub tolerated it much more than cows milk. so it isnt that bad!

[Oorki Galoorki]

it had me giggling and wanting to run away while i wrote it

[Indadhanu]

Information morning - no point. The people I want to target aren't going to go to that, because they think they are already informed... by the companies...

[Oorki Galoorki]

Leasha do you mean all the information that formula companies puts out isnt true???

unfortunatly there are some people that will never understand this tripe that is pushed down our throats goes further then just our little world..
but every EXTRA person we get to see these unethical actions by big companies means one more fighting the good fight!

[Lulu]

And yes I do take responsibility for what I do and answer to my actions.

I took full responsibility for defacing the church sign to the news crew that turned up. The deal was I would remove the graffiti myself if they would remove the offending sign.

And I left my details with the resort manager so we could discuss the situation which DID change the fish feeding practice (as far as I know), and educated him in the process.

I also advocated change with my local council so young mothers in my area had their own support groups and continue to support these groups 16 years later.

BUT I have found the best way to change is to speak to the individual, get them to think beyond the rhetoric and marketing bollocks that seems all too easy to swallow.

So thanks PP for your concern that our voices won't be heard - I'm pretty sure I have a handle on it.

[~Saram~]

I like to order in books in book stores rather than purchase online - as they usually have to order in more than one copy so at least they have a presence on the shelf and give mums and dads another option to the "others" that are there.

I like to comment loudly about un-necessary baby/toddler products and often say loudly as we pass the disposables how glad I am that we don't have to buy chemical filled plastic pants

I mutter loudly to myself about products that state in big letters "natural" or "additive free" only to be loaded with chemicals or contain artifical flavour enhancers. I also email at least 5 companies a week about removing preservatives, colours, flavours etc from their food.

I like to wear my advocacy shirts around town - even when I'm not actually working on the project.

I have my pet whinges which I will debate with anyone if given an opportunity such as chemicals in the home, deforrestation and development of water catchment areas and my new one is the birth rights rally

And then I have started my new business which organises events and aims to educate people on alternatives to mainstream products and services which I LOVE and wish I had more time to dedicate to it.

Lulu - I would love to see your post-it's somewhere! It would make my day.

[Persephone1]

I'd also love to find a post-it, even without someone's details. It would tell me that someone really cared about an issue/product and wanted to help inform me.

I've joined a political party, but the picket lines are not for me. I've written letters, but don't know that they're all that successful....although I have felt good to be a part of larger letter/writing campaigns that have been successful (changing abortion laws, for example). I do letter-box drops for campaigns.

I complain. I write letters of complaint when something is wrong - and get frustrated when others don't do something about their own complaints.

I get angry, and then I get even.

And I'm a lawyer for disadvantaged people, so I get me advocacy fix by representing others.

And I love it.

[~Saram~]

PP - I am really pleased that you find the toddler milk helpful! I'm sure there are plenty of other mums too who find it is a great product. And I understand why you are arguing against the point of protesting over this product but I think the point of this thread was protesting or advocacy about a range of issues not just the poorly advertised toddler milk. - which I believe is the reason behind the problem with this product - that it is marketed as a "necessary" item for all toddlers and that it is implied in the advertising that your child will be missing out on vital nutrients and health benefits unless you use it.

[*TripleJ*]

i'd love to protest thing like formula and sposies but sadly cant otherwise my baby would have no food and be running around naked and i dont fancy being a hipocrite but i think its awesome wat u guys are doing
i would love to see ur post its around lu lu

[Phteven]

you can always choose to support the Australian company that makes organic formula and boycott Nestle. You can pop some post its on the Nestle encourgaing others to boycott Nestle too.

[mrsmac]

I like to loudly discuss with DS how many bad food additives are in various foods at the supermarket! I was never like that until i had a child who was severely affected by food additives and whose behaviour has changed so much since getting off them that i have become a bit over zealous!!! I have actually explained it all to women in woolies (who were interested) and given out the failsafe website address to a number of people.

[Trillian]

I prefer the flies with honey approach. It's not my place to force my opinion on others and tell others where and how they can spend their money. I know who I do and don't support and that's good enough for me. Plus I think if it ever did come up in conversation that I would be taken more seriously and more likely to change someones thinking on an issue if I came across as someone sane when talking about it as opposed to the maniacle looney foaming at the mouth about the injustices of the world. Hiding stuff and posting notes isn't my style - plus someone will come along and tidy the shelves anyway, leaving a baffled employee wondering WTF was that person on about LOL.

[Lulu]

Yeah, but some of us aren't happy leaving it at that.

I'm perfectly happy to stick a couple of post its around letting people know there are other options, and if that hits the mark with someone fine, if not - I don't get foamy at the mouth.

there is a saying - Bad things happen when good people do nothing. I'd rather do something a little more proactive. And I do.