COMMUNITY FORUM: JOE GRAFTON

When I was given the opportunity to be the first person to grace the pages of <insert section name>, [Tee hee! -Ed.] gotta say, I was honored. The Dig has always, in my mind, been a critical part of our work to build a strong and sustainable local economy. And in partnership with my friends and colleagues there over the past few years, that’s come through in spades.

Which brings us to the topic for today: Culture Shifting. As the Occupy movement continues to point out, our world is pretty fucked up right now. The corporate-political complex has spent the past few decades consolidating power, waging wars and making it hard for us plebians to live successful and enriching lives, all in the name of Free Market Economics. I am reminded daily of Orwell’s 1984, where “free” is defined by corporate-owned media and politicians as freedom for the few and “opportunity” means work your ass off, get in debt and become servants to corporate masters.

This has to end … and I think it will.

Throughout this issue, you’ll be reminded, encouraged and flat-out cajoled into Shifting Your Shopping this holiday season and to choose locally owned and independent businesses for your purchases. I hope that many of you already choose local and independent on a regular basis, and I hope this reminder will set you on a path to do so even more in the coming year and beyond.

Depending on whose estimate you believe, consumer spending represents between 60-70% of the economy every year. So in short, our spending fuels the fire that is currently burning down our society and our planet. I encourage, nay IMPLORE, you to think about this, and stop shoveling coal.

Instead, let’s direct money and power into our own communities. Let’s support our neighborhood retailers, our artists, our banks, our restaurants—those places that create a sense of place in our community while creating more jobs. Let’s keep our money in the hands of people who need it.

Not Walmart, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

This is our world, our society and our economy. And while it may seem hopeless sometimes, know that we do in fact wield the power to change things. And it’s time for us to be that change.

JOE GRAFTON IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOMERVILLE LOCAL FIRST, IS ON THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE SHIFT YOUR SHOPPING CAMPAIGN AND IS A GREAT KISSER