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A friend of mine commented on Facebook that she “will not be shopping at Target any more,” bringing up a fascinating question about how much we know about the politics of the retailers we patronize.
Background: media outlets reported that Target donated to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign in California, which supports a ban on marriage rights for gays. However, a progressive political site debunked the claim, saying that Target employee donations to Prop 8 had mistakenly been reported as corporate donations. Target is still under fire for contributions to an anti-gay gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. The company released a statement saying that it favors the candidate’s business platform, not his social positions. The debate is raging outside my circle of friends; there is even a Facebook group boycotting Target.
Regardless of how you feel about Prop 8 and the right of gays to marry, my friend’s decision to boycott Target made me think about how little I know about the politics of the retailers I shop at. An About.com story shares this list of prominent brands and their political affiliations. (more…)
