Sweat Shops

I do not pretend to know everything about sweatshops, but am ever in the process of learning. However, what I do know I do not want to support.

Excerpt from "Irrisistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne

...It was a sacred moment. The executives tries to ignore them. They issued a statment that "the tractors don't come up to the farmer and tlel him how to run the farm." With tears in their eyes, these workesr wtih calloused hands and leathery skin from long days in the sun-scorched fields cried out, as if to God, "We are not tractors. Tractors do not bleed and cry. Tractors do not have families and children. We are not machines; we are human beings." It seemed to me the whisper of James was never as clear as it was on that day: "Look! The wages you failed to pay the wrokers who mowed your fiels are crying out again you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You ahve lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemend and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you" (James 5:4-6)....

...There is a brilliant scene in Michael Moore's doumentary THE BIG ONE where Philip Knight, founder and former CEO of Nike, which a has become notorious for its abuse of workers overseas, invites Moore to talk with him. So Moore goes in to meet with Knight bearing a gift - two first-class tickets to Indonesia. And he invites Knight to fly to Indonesia and simply walk through his factories. Phil bursts out laughing and shakes his head, "No, no, not a change." Moore tells him that he just wants to walk through and check out the operation, and then asks, "Have you ever been to see your factories where your shoes are made? Have you ever been to Indonesia?" Knight says, "No, and I am not going to go." These are the layer sof separation that allow injustice to happen. It's not that people are malicious. i do not htink we are naturally able to hurt each other. Even Philip Knight seems like too nice of a guy for that. But we keep ourselves at a safe distance..."

So, the process is beginning for me. I have decided to take some stances (small, but done in love)...
1) Not to purchase Nike, Coke, or Nestle products. I do not want to support big companies that exploit others for financial gain. I am aware that there are many, many companies that do this, but I need to start somewhere.
2) Will not shop at Walmart (see documentary on: Walmart - high cost of low prices)
4) Fair trade coffee/tea/chocolate. What a great way to support workers while not exploiting them. The store, 10 000 Villages, is such a great idea.
5) Will not directly support the clothing industry. This will not be easy because our society demands that you are clothes, and puts emphasis on reflecting yourself and looking your best. I am going to not directly support the clothing industry by purchasing my clothes at second hand stores. Currently this is the only way in which I know how to not directly financially support the industry.