Obviously I don't have a single sponsor. It is important to support companies that are doing good work, and performing their function in a manner that doesn't cause a greater harm than good.
Fashion is the first step. It's something that most people take for granted, as in: "that shirt looks nice, it's cheap enough, i'll buy it". There is a larger framework for the manufacturing and distribution of that item of clothing that needs to be considered. Did the workers who made it get paid a fair wage? Are chemicals, such as bleach, used in the production of the fabric and/or item that do environmental harm? Will it really look cool?
Thinking about purchases is the start of an ethical life. Don't just buy whatever is most convenient.
This is becoming an even bigger issue for drinks than clothes. Coke has a history of violently intimidating its non-union production staff, most notably its bottlers in South and Central America who are trying to unionize. Every time you buy a Coke product, and they are legion, you are supporting that particular manufacturing practise, ie: violently oppressing an impoverished workforce.
That being said, when you go to a corner store or restaurant these days, it becomes apparent that Coke has a virtual monopoly on drink distribution. Many convenience stores stock only Coke products, presumably because they then get to use the drink fridge for free.
So what is a good citizen to do? Well, try moving on and finding a drink that doesn't have such attrocious political baggage. Water is free in most public places (although that will change over time I'm sure), so why not give that a try?
3 comments:
I love pop though. In fact, I bet if there was a pop company that paid a decent living wage and treated its workers well, they'd make a fortune off of progressives. Almost every one I've ever known has loved pop. Well, and beer.
I definitely agree with what you’re saying about Coke, fashion, etc. American Apparel has a great mission statement and really prides itself on being an American based clothing establishment without exploiting workers. That’s one step in the right direction, but have you looked at their marketing strategies? Most of their ads (not the one on your blog of course) are soft-core porn or border on something even worse- should I say exploitation?! They are certainly capitalizing on the shock value of their nearly nudes and the compromising positions they are putting them in.
i hear that the President of Choice is staging a silent revolution
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