So when last we met I was in a bit of a funk. To me there is nothing like a problem bigger then oneself to quickly get you out of a funk and realize life is good when you live, where you live. So veering of my normal beaten path and onto a more political one, I bring you today's post.
I watched all the little episodes and I have to say I'm still upset just thinking about them. We talked about how making our own clothes or buying secondhand still doesn't solve the problem. We talked about the textile companies and asked ourselves are they any better. We went into the yarn we buy, the cheap knick-knacks, furniture and soon decided our heads would hurt to the point of explosion if we thought about how far the problem of a "fairly earned wage" runs.
I wear clothes and I need stuff and most of the people I know wear clothes and need stuff so maybe to start we should begin by asking the retailer a simple question "Did the person making this earn a fair wage?" We've already begun to ask about the fairness of the food we eat and drink. Why not our stuff?
I think if enough of us began asking more questions and stopped mindlessly shopping we could become voices for those who can't be heard and maybe just maybe retailers would become more accountable about the things they purchase for sale. :)
Ashley and I were briefly discussing a topic that pops up once and a while between us. Cheap clothing and sweatshops. She had popped this website into my instant messaging today.
http://www.ecouterre.com/reality-show-sends-fashion-bloggers-to-work-in-cambodian-sweatshop/
http://www.ecouterre.com/reality-show-sends-fashion-bloggers-to-work-in-cambodian-sweatshop/
I watched all the little episodes and I have to say I'm still upset just thinking about them. We talked about how making our own clothes or buying secondhand still doesn't solve the problem. We talked about the textile companies and asked ourselves are they any better. We went into the yarn we buy, the cheap knick-knacks, furniture and soon decided our heads would hurt to the point of explosion if we thought about how far the problem of a "fairly earned wage" runs.
I wear clothes and I need stuff and most of the people I know wear clothes and need stuff so maybe to start we should begin by asking the retailer a simple question "Did the person making this earn a fair wage?" We've already begun to ask about the fairness of the food we eat and drink. Why not our stuff?
I think if enough of us began asking more questions and stopped mindlessly shopping we could become voices for those who can't be heard and maybe just maybe retailers would become more accountable about the things they purchase for sale. :)
Truly so! It's appalling to know and see how many of the consumer goods on the market are made by those in substandard working, and of often living, conditions, who become like slaves to their employers because they don't earn anywhere near a proper living wage. It's time for a massive change on this front and should one ever happen, I strongly feel that future generations will look back on us (the world) and judge us, rightly, very harshly for the fact we condoned such practices.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
When we were researching things made in Canada we realized just how difficult it is to avoid buying things made off shore in places where wages are less than fair. Even when we found items made in Canada when we'd ask if that included all the materials they usually answered with no. Most materials are bought in from other countries because there is no where in North America that make these things any more.
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