Boycott All Roederer Products, Not Just Cristal

As Jay-Z adds his weight to the Cristal boycott first suggested by Nah Right, the question of whether or not such a limited boycott of Roederer products would be effective must be raised.

Michael Miraflor links to the actual Economist article in which the noxious quotes of Roederer management are included but other information suggests an expansion of the boycott is necessary:
Roederer [makers of Cristal] and Moët produce a range of champagnes, starting from a “basic” non-vintage costing around $30 a bottle; followed by vintage champagnes that are produced in a single year and aged for longer, and are commensurately more expensive; and, at the top of the tree, their prestige cuvées, Cristal and Dom Pérignon.

An effective boycott would include all Roederer products, since boycotting only Cristal might actually be good for Roederer's Cristal brand.  To be honest, I don't know anybody that's even seen Cristal other than on television, but I don't hang with Richie Rich.

For example, Roederer owns Northern California based Roederer Estate that produces three wines with the Roederer brand.  A variety of Roederer wines and champagnes are available in the U.S., many under $50.

Boycotting Cristal is weak.  Boycotting all Roederer products is powerful.  If the streets have Jay-Z's back, then he can mobilize a real boycott that hurts Roederer rather than a limited boycott that may actually work in Roederer's favor.  Unless, of course, this is personal posturing on the part of Jay-Z which will simply free up limited supplies of Cristal for other Richie Riches to consume.

By the way, is anybody actually demanding anything in case the boycott actually succeeds?  No demands = no way of claiming victory.

Let's get real or let's move on to the next topic of the day.

Hey, Bay Area, how about organizing a protest at Roederer Estate in Mendocino County?

On Second Thought: It's a little silly to call someone racist for not wanting to be associated with musicians who brag about their criminal past and, in some cases, appear to be continuing their criminal activities.  Just a thought.

The Complete Account:
ProHipHop Coverage & Analysis of Jay-Z's Cristal Boycott

Comments

[Rizoh]

From a distance it appears silly to call him racist just for not wanting to be associated with rappers, but, the racist notion on the part of Rouazaud [sp] is actually implied. He knew the demographics he was going up against, and no one will ever come out and tell you straight up: "Yea, I'm racist. Pat me on the back." It's almost always implied. 'Unsaid saids' as I like to call them.

[Omowale]

I don't think there needs to be demands. Why do we want anything from Cristal or its owners? Keep ya money punks. Victory is in us not buying Cristal & seeing the sales fall is our way of scoring. I'm w/ boycotting Roederer too. This better be just the beginning of Jay-Z being politically tough. Get 'em!

[J. Space]

I really don't think Rouzaud cares that hip-hop artists buy his champagne. I read the Economist article, and it isn't really that offensive. He didn't say "Yes, it's bad for business. Rappers should not drink Cristal." He said, "That’s a good question, but what can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Pérignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business." I read the "what can we do" as, "it's not something Cristal really cares about"

[Clyde Smith]

Rizoh, I hear what you're saying about unsaid saids. I tend to think of racism as a more systemic perspective than can be revealed through three lines taken out of context. I'm not saying the guy isn't racist but the term gets devalued each time it's put out without something really solid to back it up.

Omowale, without sales figures and given the scarcity of Cristal (they didn't make it two separate years in the 90s because of bad harvests, for example), I would argue that the overall effect of boycotting Cristal may actually be positive for the company. It's going after the low end that will hurt them the most.

J. Space, given that Rouzaud was speaking to the Economist and that he's a representative of an old French company, he would probably consider himself to be communicating to a rich, predominantly white audience that's not supportive of hip hop. He may not want to criticize hip hop itself for a variety of reasons. But given hip hop's linkage to riots by poor people, especially African and Arab immigrants, and their supporters he has to distance himself in some way if he feels that's turning off his core clientele.

[Rose]

Go boycott something WORTH it! BOYCOTT PROCTER AND GAMBLE! While they torture innocent animals every day for peoples vain consumption of beauty products your going to worry about a stupid comment made by someone? O.K. then...