The continuous boycotting and shaming of Northbrook’s local Caribou Coffee does not indicate a victory on either front.

The removal of the Gay-Straight Alliance’s (GSA) window painting was a poor decision made by the Caribou Coffee manager, who said he was reacting to complaints he received from customers. The action does not reflect the views of the company or other workers. It was a mistake made by one man, who has apologized since the incident.

While GSA members temporarily boycotted the store after the incident, they now continue to visit Caribou Coffee because of the company’s continuous efforts to make amends. One member noted the friendliness of the employees and the open and accepting atmosphere typically felt in the store. GSA members simply want to move forward and enjoy their favorite drinks.

We can all learn something from them.

Before boycotting, you must consider what it is that you hope to accomplish by doing so. Boycotting the store will have absolutely no impact on those who complained to the store manager in the first place about the GSA painting. A boycott will not solve the gay rights issues that initially spurred the painting’s removal, dividing the community. If you want to make a change, advocate for your beliefs rather than punishing a franchise based on one person’s mistake.

Boycotting Caribou is like putting on a bandage to cure the stomach flu— it is deceiving, but only masks the larger problem at hand. What we should be focusing on as a community is devising a more a permanent solution to the bigger problem about dealing with gay rights issues.

While opinions on big issues naturally differ, we can do the best we can to handle the divisions in Northbrook in a mature way. Let’s help the community come together on these issues, rather than tear it further apart. Through events like the Questions and Answers session held at Caribou on Oct. 17, Caribou and the GSA are moving forward together.

At the end of the day, your cup of coffee does not symbolize blazing liquid hatred or a blend of gay rights. It is just a caffeinated beverage.