In a recent post, after watching a troubling video on globalization, I mentioned that I would be willing to “limit my consumption of certain products that exploit the poor and marginalized”. I confess at the time I had no idea how difficult this would be.
Since making that statement I’ve been doing some (fairly light) research and thinking on this matter. Modifying our buying habits seems to be one of the key ingredients to changing the systemic problems that cause injustice and poverty. If we refuse to buy products that harm people, then fewer products that harm people will be made. Simple supply and demand economics…
Sounds easy right? Wrong, not at this point. I decided to experiment with the purchase of a fair trade tee shirt. This seemed to be a good idea on many levels, 1) it’s a common item 2) a necessary item and 3) in Southern California tees can be worn year round. Enough said. Problem is – I’ve searched around quite a bit and still have not made a purchase! Most of what I’ve found falls into one or more of the following three categories: too cool, too expensive and, well, should I say it – cheesy? Frankly, I don’t have $59.00 to spend on a tee right now even if it does make me look like I’m in college again (well not quite).
So, I’m on the look out for a cool, but not too cool, reasonably priced, fair trade tee shirt. It doesn’t need to say “close the sweat shops” on it or have starving children. I just want to make a responsible purchase. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Sarah Chia // Oct 17, 2007 at 4:50 am
One thing I try to do is simply buy used clothing. Going to second-hand stores doesn’t put money in the pockets of the corporations that abuse the workers.
Saves me money, too.
2 Cory Verner // Oct 17, 2007 at 5:22 am
For now that might be the best option.
Thanks!
3 guynameddave // Oct 17, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I’d like to know where you were looking for a $59.00 cool t-shirt? First, we all need to see what your definition of “cool” is. Second… well, there probably is a second point, but I really just want to see what you think is cool.
4 Cory Verner // Oct 17, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Well, come on dude!
First off, there weren’t a lot of options out there and what I did find seemed to be geared toward college kids. The shirts I commented about in the post were found at http://www.edunonline.com/store.aspx but you can’t see them now due to a promo they are running.
Full disclosure – I’m not very cool. But I am picky - I suppose.
5 Nina Ruth // Oct 17, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Cory, I also looked into Edun (Bono’s line; they sell some stuff @ Nordstrom) & was shocked at how “unfair” some of the Fair Trade clothing prices are. One thing that DID hearten me in my desire to buy fair trade as much as possible is that now at Whole Foods market they have a Fair Trade display, featuring food and clothing items that are certified fair trade…and the have a fair trade symbol that you can look for on products throughout the store. Not all of them were outrageously priced, either. Another fair trade project that I love (have personally bought from them & met them) is Rabuna Fi, which helps women in Africa: http://www.rabunafi.org/how-you-help.html
6 Cory // Oct 17, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Thanks for the Whole Foods tip!
7 kate // Oct 17, 2007 at 6:50 pm
check out http://www.mothertongues.biz — a local west michigan company making “just cool enough for cory” styles with shirts sold with “fair trade principles” (aka the shirts haven’t gone through all the hoops to get fair trade certified yet, but they’re following all the marks of fair trade already — more info in “faq” section).
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