Interview with Jordan Ellis
Date21 October 2025
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 44 Minutes, 27 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
DescriptionAudio file of interview with Jordan Ellis. They were interviewed by Remi Dupuis on October 21, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut.
Jordan Ellis was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in their life.
In this interview, Jordan discussed their practice of “ethical consumerism,” which they defined as a philosophy of conscious consumer behaviors. It is very important to them to be informed about the companies from which they purchase goods and services with respect to where the companies donate their money, what politicians they endorse, and other behaviors that have moral implications. They indicated dissonance with companies that appear to align with anti-LGBTQ+, anti-union, and pro-MAGA [Make America Great Again] initiatives, as well as disapproved of DoorDash’s financial support to New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo (D) specifically to fund smear campaigns against opposition Zohran Mamdani (D). As a queer and trans person, supporting queer and trans youth was a prime example of Jordan's motivation to limit consuming products from companies with anti-LGBTQ+ leanings.
They traced the start of their ethical consumerist practice to 2020–2021, when they were in high school. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and with the spike in anti-Asian discrimination related to rhetoric around the Covid-19 pandemic (the latter of which affected them personally), they began to pay attention to social justice issues that were talked about all over social media. They labeled themself a “performative” activist through their early college years, spreading information but not taking any other actions to push for meaningful change. Since then, Jordan has started boycotting certain businesses and donating to certain organizations, mentioning the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza as a major motivator of this behavior. They noted that anyone can (and should) engage in ethical consumerism by “voting with their dollar”--i.e., buying from sources that align with one’s own definition of “ethical.”
Jordan said that it can be difficult at times to talk to others in their life about their practice. Because they feel so strongly about the collective benefits of conscious consumption, they want their loved ones to also participate. When their practices don’t align, Jordan feels they have to choose between maintaining a good relationship with their loved one or conforming and going to/buying from a certain business. They acknowledge, though, that not everyone will agree to boycott the same companies and that there is privilege in the ability to choose more expensive or longer-wait alternatives to large entities that are harmful. They believe, with “cautious optimism,” that the niche created by ethical consumerists will grow and be continually filled by more morally sound businesses.
Jordan admires that this practice has cultivated in them a desire to stay aware of pressing social issues. They note that they don’t hold themself to a standard of perfection, but think of ethical consumerism as one way to influence the world. Their hope is that, with enough public participation, boycotted companies will change unjust policies or practices.
Jordan Ellis was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in their life.
In this interview, Jordan discussed their practice of “ethical consumerism,” which they defined as a philosophy of conscious consumer behaviors. It is very important to them to be informed about the companies from which they purchase goods and services with respect to where the companies donate their money, what politicians they endorse, and other behaviors that have moral implications. They indicated dissonance with companies that appear to align with anti-LGBTQ+, anti-union, and pro-MAGA [Make America Great Again] initiatives, as well as disapproved of DoorDash’s financial support to New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo (D) specifically to fund smear campaigns against opposition Zohran Mamdani (D). As a queer and trans person, supporting queer and trans youth was a prime example of Jordan's motivation to limit consuming products from companies with anti-LGBTQ+ leanings.
They traced the start of their ethical consumerist practice to 2020–2021, when they were in high school. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and with the spike in anti-Asian discrimination related to rhetoric around the Covid-19 pandemic (the latter of which affected them personally), they began to pay attention to social justice issues that were talked about all over social media. They labeled themself a “performative” activist through their early college years, spreading information but not taking any other actions to push for meaningful change. Since then, Jordan has started boycotting certain businesses and donating to certain organizations, mentioning the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza as a major motivator of this behavior. They noted that anyone can (and should) engage in ethical consumerism by “voting with their dollar”--i.e., buying from sources that align with one’s own definition of “ethical.”
Jordan said that it can be difficult at times to talk to others in their life about their practice. Because they feel so strongly about the collective benefits of conscious consumption, they want their loved ones to also participate. When their practices don’t align, Jordan feels they have to choose between maintaining a good relationship with their loved one or conforming and going to/buying from a certain business. They acknowledge, though, that not everyone will agree to boycott the same companies and that there is privilege in the ability to choose more expensive or longer-wait alternatives to large entities that are harmful. They believe, with “cautious optimism,” that the niche created by ethical consumerists will grow and be continually filled by more morally sound businesses.
Jordan admires that this practice has cultivated in them a desire to stay aware of pressing social issues. They note that they don’t hold themself to a standard of perfection, but think of ethical consumerism as one way to influence the world. Their hope is that, with enough public participation, boycotted companies will change unjust policies or practices.
Object number2024.79.83
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
CTDA Handle: Watch/Listen on the Connecticut Digital Archive
https://hdl.handle.net/11134/4085714
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