The recent outburst from a certain pastor named Jamal Bryant has sparked quite a debate, and it serves as a perfect example of how misguided efforts to push social justice can detract from the real issues facing the black community. This so-called leader has made headlines with his call for a 40-day boycott of Target, claiming racism is at play merely because the company rolled back its DEI initiatives and a $2 billion commitment to Black businesses. It’s telling that instead of addressing pressing concerns in his community, he chooses to raise a ruckus over what amounts to a corporate policy.
Progressive politicians and their allies have long relied on keeping people in a victim mentality. Instead of solutions, they offer empty calls for boycotts and divisive rhetoric. The idea of protesting against a store that employs many black individuals is nothing short of ridiculous. Many of these employees are likely to be adversely affected by the very boycott that Bryant champions. In a time when economic opportunities for the black community are critical, why would anyone want to shut down businesses that actually provide jobs?
This pastor, rather than mentoring young men and women in his community or addressing high violence rates, has chosen to focus on this flimsy campaign. He has the platform to affect real change, yet he instead resorts to dramatics about “systemic racism,” while ignoring the grim reality that black violence and economic distress come from within the community itself, not from the corporations that function in it. Instead of advocating for better lifestyles or promoting financial literacy, he pushes a narrative that distracts from genuine empowerment.
Instead of a call for a fast from Target, perhaps leaders like Bryant should ponder a fast from violence or a fast from systemic reliance on welfare and food stamps, which do little to uplift individuals. The absence of fathers in many households, the struggle for financial independence, and the increase in crime all pose far more critical obstacles to success and dignity in the black community than a store’s policy on race. The focus should be not on boycotts but on building up each other.
Bryant’s attempt at mobilizing protests against Target reveals a fundamental flaw in the progressive agenda: it perpetuates victimhood instead of championing responsibility. A successful community is built on hard work, self-respect, and mutual support, not on protests against companies that employ community members. To truly advance the interests of black Americans, leaders must pivot away from divisive efforts and instead foster unity through productive conversations, economic empowerment, and an unwavering focus on personal responsibility. The path forward is simple: it is time to stop playing politics and start addressing the heart of the issues that hold the community back.
