环球英语 — 767：Boycotts

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Voice 1

Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight program. I’m Liz Waid.

Voice 2

And I’m Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1

Have you ever felt helpless? Has a large business ever treated you badly? What was your response?

Voice 2

In 1880, in Ireland, a group of farmers was in that situation. This group did not own land. They rented it. And the land owners charged them high rates. The farmers were angry about this. And finally, they fought against the land owners. But they did not fight with violence. Instead, they took another action. They selected one landowner - Lord Earne. And they refused to work for him. No one would harvest his crops.

Voice 1

Lord Earne had a rent collector named Captain Charles Boycott. Boycott used unfair punishments. So the surrounding community responded. No-one would help him. No-one would harvest the crops or work for him in any way. No-one would talk to him. The postman even refused to bring his mail! Many people learned about the problems these farmers faced. And this action forced Charles Boycott to leave the community.

Voice 2

This became known as a “boycott”. And today, people still use boycotts! If a person disagrees with some business, or group, they refuse to purchase goods or services from that business or group. The more people participate, the more effective a boycott can be. It is a way to spread information about problems. It can even be a way to solve those problems!

Voice 1

Today’s Spotlight is on boycotts.

Voice 2

Boycotts have been used for hundreds of years. And they have been used to protest many different things. Some things are small, like food prices. Other things are very large, like slave trade.

Voice 1

One of the most famous boycotts in history happened in the United States in the nineteen fifties. During this time, black Americans did not have the same rights as white Americans. This was especially true in some parts of the country. Many businesses would not serve black people. Some schools only accepted white children. And the government said that black Americans and white Americans should be separated in many public places. This was called segregation.

Voice 2

For example, black and white people were often segregated on buses. It was common for white passengers to get the front seats. Black passengers had to sit in the back seats.

Voice 1

So in December of 1955, the black residents of Montgomery, Alabama decided to boycott the buses. They decided to stop riding the buses - completely. A local Christian minister named Martin Luther King, Jr. lead them. They promised not to begin riding again until blacks and whites were treated equally on buses.

Voice 2

For the black community, equal treatment did not only mean equal seats on the bus. It meant changing the law that required blacks to give up their seats. It also meant bus drivers treating black passengers with respect. And it meant employing black bus drivers.

Voice 1

But the Montgomery government did not want to change. They did not give the black community any of these things. So the boycott continued.

Voice 2

The Montgomery Bus Boycott began as a one day project. Then it lasted two days, then three, then a week. Still, the government did not make any changes. Many people felt that the boycott had failed.

Voice 1

Soon, the boycotters experienced another problem. Without riding buses, many people had no way to travel to their jobs. As the boycott lasted longer and longer, this became a very important issue.

Voice 2

So the leaders of the boycott found a solution. They shared their money and purchased a number of large cars. And they used these cars to bring people to and from their jobs.

Voice 1

But as the boycott continued, the government decided to try and stop it. They arrested leaders of the boycott for small or even false crimes. They tried to stop cars from bringing boycotters to and from their jobs. Still, the boycott continued.

Voice 2

After many weeks, some whites in Montgomery tried to stop the boycotters. They started fires at the leaders’ houses and at their churches. They attacked and injured many who were involved in the boycott. For many people, it became difficult to continue the boycott. But they were sure that they could force the government to change the laws.

Voice 1

Finally, after the boycott lasted over a year, the government changed the law. Black passengers were allowed to sit anywhere on a bus. This was the start of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. And it did not end with buses. Through similar actions, black Americans gained equal rights with white Americans. The Montgomery Bus Boycott is still remembered as one of the greatest victories of the Civil Rights movement.

Voice 2

So why was the Montgomery Bus Boycott so successful? There are many reasons for its success. First, the community was prepared. They found ways to continue the boycott. Second, it had strong leaders. These leaders set a specific goal. And they did not stop until it was reached.

Voice 1

Third, these passengers did have power. Black people were the main bus passengers. Without them, the bus companies lost a lot of money. They needed the black passengers. And finally, the black people won the sympathy and attention of many other communities. They had a just cause, and they convinced many people by their attitude and actions.

Voice 2

Not all boycotts are successful. And some are successful - but have been used for a bad purpose. Today, most people consider boycotts to be a symbol instead of an effective protest. Boycotts are mainly effective at spreading information about a problem.

Voice 1

But boycotts are still important. They can, at times, be a good way to fight against something that is wrong. And even if they are not successful, they can help to teach people about important issues.

Voice 2

For example, in October of 2007, thousands of people and businesses in Argentina began a boycott against tomato prices. They said that the fruit cost too much money for most people to buy it. This protest has informed the government that rising prices are an important issue. And some experts claim that the boycott lowered tomato prices by thirty percent [30%] in less than a week.

Voice 1

But most importantly, this boycott allowed the people of Argentina to feel powerful. Through the boycott, they made a statement to businesses and to the government. Because of this small boycott, a big change could happen.

Voice 2

What about you? Have you ever been part of a boycott? Do you think they are a good way to bring about change? Can you think of any other ways to work for change or to protect your rights? e-mail us your thoughts or ideas at radio @ english . net.