HOSS Antigenocide Ranking
The Houston Open Source Society (HOSS) tracks the availability of BDS-friendly softdrinks at our coworking venues through the HOSS Antigenocide Ranking system. This ranking helps our members make informed choices about where they spend their money and time.
What is BDS?
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement is a Palestinian-led campaign that uses economic and political pressure to end Israeli occupation and apartheid. Many people choose to boycott companies that profit from or support these policies.
There are two lists that are relevant to BDS.
- The companies officially named in the Guide to BDS.
- The Whisper List is a much larger list of companies that it wouldn't hurt to avoid.
Our Ranking System
As it pertains to HOSS, it's easy to avoid places on the Witness List. We simply don't list them. However, it's much harder to avoid all places that carry Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper products. In order to incentivize that and to help our members make smarter choices, we've implemented a three-tier system to indicate the availability of ethical softdrinks choices at each venue:
Coke Exclusive
The venue only offers Coca-Cola softdrinks. There is an active and ongoing campaign against Coca-Cola.
Coke Alternative
The venue only offers drinks by PepsiCo, or Dr. Pepper. While not as bad as Coca-Cola and not on the BDS List, both of these are on the Witness List.
Palestine-friendly
HOSS Antigenocide Ranking
The venue offers at least one softdrink alternative that is not manufactured by Coca-Cola or PepsiCo, providing customers with an alternative choice. However, Coke and/or Pepsi products are still available.
Exclusively BDS
HOSS Antigenocide Ranking
The venue does not sell any Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper or PepsiCo products, making it easy for customers who wish to boycott these companies to do so.
Why We Track This
Houston Open Source Society believes in transparency and informed choice. By providing this information:
- Members can make ethical purchasing decisions aligned with their values
- Venues are encouraged to offer diverse beverage options
- We support Palestinian human rights through economic activism
- We demonstrate that tech communities can oppose genocidal regimes abroad while maintaining a focus on technology and community
How Venues Are Rated
Our ratings are based on direct observation by HOSS members during coworking sessions. We focus specifically on softdrinks as they are commonly purchased items at coworking venues.
Questions?
If you have questions about a specific venue's rating, or if you've noticed a venue's offerings have changed, please let us know on our Discord server.