Final answer:
Boycotts and other punitive actions were often used against individuals like Paul Robeson who stood up for their political beliefs or actions, leading to severe consequences such as blacklisting and public vilification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for Richard Borshay Lee's Boycott Actions
The information provided does not specifically mention an individual named Richard Borshay Lu, but it does discuss individuals who faced boycotts or similar actions due to their political beliefs or actions. Individuals such as Paul Robeson defended socialism and civil rights, which led to severe pushback from government bodies like the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). Actions taken against such individuals often included being blacklisted, which prevented them from securing employment in their respective fields. For instance, the Montgomery bus boycott led to aggressive counteractions from city officials, including revoking the licenses of taxi drivers who supported the boycott. Similarly, in more recent history, Bruce Springsteen announced a boycott against Michigan should it pass anti-LGBT legislation, using his celebrity status to impose economic pressure and mobilize public opinion.
These examples illustrate the use of boycotts and other punitive measures against individuals and groups when their beliefs or actions conflicted with government policies or societal norms. The backlash often came at a high personal cost to those targeted, including imprisonment, loss of employment, and public vilification. In some cases, it also involved solidarity measures from supporters who were willing to face consequences themselves in order to stand by those being discriminated against or silenced.