Perplexed

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Rabble has an interesting advice column where you can direct your ‘most perplexingly personal political question’ to the columnist, Ms.Communicate. I’d consider my question to be a pseudo-problem at best, because I’m not unbearably broke, and I’d rather lose a limb than work for Chapters, Starbucks or any of those big name corporations for a variety of reasons. But I had been entertaining the idea, so I went ahead and asked the self described leftist feminist to hear what she had to say.

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Dear Ms. Communicate,

I’m a broke student in need of a job. I also consider myself somewhat socially and politically conscious, so there are stores and companies I try my best to boycott. My issue is this: I don’t support Chapters-Indigo, and I never step foot in a Starbucks, simply because I don’t agree with their big box “clustering” mentality that puts the independents out of business, as well as their known ties to Israel. They also happen to be the only places nearby that are hiring at the moment.

Would I be a hypocrite for getting a job at these places I would never give my money to? It’s my last resort at the moment, since I’m trying my best to avoid being in this crappy situation.

- Sellout

Dear Sellout,

You are not a sellout!

Many of us have been in similar situations. I will share with you that when I was an undergrad – in the last millennium – I had a part-time job working in a market research call center. You know, those annoying places that call you and ask you questions about your photocopiers (during the day) and about your grocery shopping habits (in the evening). It was not unlike telemarketing, selling subscriptions to newspapers and such, which I also tried to do, made no sales and was deemed not assertive enough and was fired after my first four-hour shift!

Your lefty principles are very important to keep, but at this point in your life your employment options are limited. Take the job. I agree with all your reasons to boycott those chains, but you still have to pay the rent.

I actually know a few progressive folks who have worked and continue to work in bookstore chains, and they tell me the ironic reality is that the people they work with are all quite bookish and interesting. Perhaps unlike other chains, bookstores still attract book lovers to their staff teams. It beats flipping burgers.

- Ms. C.

And OT - I’m going to try out a different layout for a while. The brown was starting to get a little old :/ And I’ll get around to a long overdue update of my ‘C’est Moi’ section.

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