Fancy Pants

Reply Here Because I am a Coward

Ok. So Chris pointed me to another blog that was talking about sweatshops, aka Jessi's Social Justice Blog. Props to her for informing and encourgaing others in social justice work. I would like to have conversation about this though.

So just so you know this is meant to be a discussion not a debate.

Ok. What she said was that we should not boycott, rather encourage companies to be better. Also that when they take steps, we should say "job well done." She makes a good point about how when we boycott, the corporation starts shutting down factories that are some countries or locations only economy base. Guys I don't know about economy stuff, but it all seems legite. Ok here's what I think. We can't do everything, but we can do something, and rely on others to do the other somethings. So when we boycott companies, we say "Clean it up, and until you do, I will not support you." Then, we hope, our fellow brothers and sisters are in that country, picking up the pieces. They are showing these people how to use their land, how to create and sustain jobs, and how to organize so as to protect themselves.

The reason I still say boycott, because if we don't, they will move like turtles. Starbucks for instance (fair trade stuff not so much sweatshop), they commit to one thing, and keep pushing back the deadline.

Every change is slow. It doesn't have to be that slow though!

Definitely give gold stars to companies that are changing! Tell them that you will moderately shop their but not be a loyal comapany until they are completely pure! It does happen. There are companies that are good. Check out responsibleshopper.org.

What if we don't boycott? What if you tell people to write letters and they say they will and never do? Companies will never know what we want! They know they still have hold on us. Let's tell them where our treasure is!

Please respond guys! Someone may even tell Jessi that I need to be informed further on her thoughts too. Whatever. Let's just get this idea rolling, and figure out what a good solution is!

posted by Sweet T @ 4:02 PM