What should a business do when it’s contracted to supply resources used in an unpopular activity?
The Issue
I’m not going to get into the whole issue with the border in this discussion. I have written other articles about my views on immigration. But over the last few days, vocal opposition to Wayfair supplying beds to the border has become louder and louder. According to Vox, there are over 2,000 children being held at the border, on any given day. They need beds. Wayfair has agreed to make them.
But at this point, opposition is so bad that Wayfair employees are actually going on strike, which is a little bit stupid. While nobody should be supporting the kind immigration policy being perpetrated by the United States — a policy that happens a very similar to the policies of many countries — if no one agrees to supply these beds,then the kids are going to have to sleep on the floor. Wayfair has what these kids need: something comfortable on which to sleep.
The Solution
If Wayfair doesn’t supply the beds, someone else will have to. The government isn’t going to start manufacturing their own beds after all. The issue is that they’re profiting. While I’m not sure that it’s a bad thing, in order to quell any concerns, Wayfair should agree to produce the beds, but at cost so that they’re not profiting off of this mess. They can even manufacture them at a discount and treat it as a charitable donation. The company should also demand evidence that the children are being treated “well.”
In this way, even if Wayfair doesn’t make a profit, it will receive much better media attention and publicity, and can use this opportunity to improve the conditions of those being abused by U.S. border policy, while also promoting their brand. This option seems to be the only one that would supply the much needed beds while avoiding public criticism. If there’s a better way, I’ll leave it to someone else to figure out and write about it.
Do More
On a final note, I’m so tired of people just complaining and doing nothing. And by doing nothing, I don’t just mean not actively participating in a solution. Just seeking a solution rather than protesting is doing something. And yes, protests can be useful in order to get our voices heard, but I don’t think anyone is unaware of the opposition to what’s happening at the border. How is going on strike going to help these kinds? It’s not. It’s time for something more to be done.
