A text message has been making the rounds in recent days — maybe you’ve received it or a version of it. It calls for a one-day boycott of corporations like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, which have recently cut back or eliminated their diversity programs.

Regardless of its origin, the message has sparked an important conversation about how to push back against the growing wave of intolerance that has seeped into corporate decisions, mirroring the stance of the current White House administration.

Most activists and experts agree that one-day boycotts have little impact. While they may briefly disrupt shoppers’ routines, their effect on corporations is minimal.

Paolo Gaudiano, founder and Chief Scientist of inclusion assessment platform Aleria, told Newsweek last month that there is “not much evidence that these kinds of ‘emotional’ types of boycott amount to much more than a blip.”

“Especially with social media amplifying negative reactions, a lot of people may take to the internet to voice their discontent, but unless there is a major societal upheaval, brands are unlikely to react in a significant way,” he said.

It’s hard to see how skipping a trip to Target for toilet paper one day, only to buy the same amount the next, makes for an effective protest.

If the companies in question had to choose how their critics voiced their displeasure, they’d likely prefer this approach.

Also, the lack of results could deter some folks from the idea of spending money only with companies that value them. But consumers aren’t powerless.

Sustained economic pressure—shopping locally, supporting businesses that uphold diversity, and holding corporations accountable—has always been more effective than a one-day boycott. History has shown that real change comes from persistent action, not fleeting protests.

The real power isn’t in a one-time action — it’s in what we choose to do every day.