Those who criticize white people for enslaving, exploiting, and eliminating entire races, but also are the first in line to buy a new Nike shoe when it comes out, are living hypocrisy. There is blood on their hands.
Some people really just don’t know, but if they are aware about how Nike (and other brands) treat their workers and employees then they are as bad as the slave traders. People may say “everyone does it, we need to buy clothes,” yet there are so many companies who have an open door policy that allows both public and private investigators to check their working conditions. It’s so simple to condemn our ancestors and yet we refuse to realize that as a society we are just as bad as they were. In fact, we’re worse; we’re worse because we’ve seen it done, we’ve seen the consequences, we know, and we do it anyway, those who came before just didn’t know. We are worse because we collectively know something is not ok and we collectively do nothing. They are better than us because their actions did not damage their morals or their conscience, they thought they were doing what was right. They had integrity.
To play the Devil’s advocate, sweatshops, as cruel as they are, they provide a place of work for those in Third-World countries, they help the economy and give opportunities to those who have none. Their people get jobs, and our people get cheap products. Where would these people be without our Western Saviors? Where would these people be without our companies doing them such a kindness? You know, human slavery is not all that bad, they do pay them, you know. You know, sometimes they even give them a place to live. I know, I know some hold their workers against their will but at least they have a job. Without Big Money they would be out committing crimes like savages, they may actually try to send their children to school instead of putting them to work. You know, slavery isn’t all that bad. We feed them, we help clothe them, they are just goddamn ungrateful. In exchange for their servitude, we provide them a means to eat, a means to survive. Some of them even try to run away… can you imagine? After all we’ve done for them. They’re not even really people you know, they’re like cattle, they’re like machines, they’re disposable.
Am I talking about slaves in 1700? Am I alluding to sharecroppers? Or am I addressing human rights violations in 2017?
Who knows? Who cares?
Life and Debt is a 1990 film directed by Stephanie Black shows the irony and exploitation of policies that were meant to help Jamaicans, but instead, hurt them. Regrettably, this film is not free. Though a film on YouTube, Behind The Swoosh , takes us into the life of factory workers.
Maybe I too am a hypocrite. I do own some Nike shoes, all of which were acquired before I was aware, none of them were bought new anyway; I got a lot of them second-hand. I cannot afford to just throw away all my shoes, but I can afford to buy more ethical shoes when I go shopping. My sister begged me for a Nike windbreaker. She got Adidas. Because I know, children younger than my sisters work for that Slave Company, Nike. So as I can afford to replace my shoes, I will not throw them away because that adds to the issue of wastefulness and environmental issues. I will donate them to those who cannot afford anything else. In this way, I can give an item that started out so dirty, new life.
It is not difficult to be conscious, to prove my point here is a small list of companies who have ethical standards, open-door policies, and/or had high rated facilities.
- Columbia Sportswear – sells outerwear and athletic clothing. CEO Tim Boyle openly spoke out against Trump and travel ban.
- Alternative Apparel – sustainable eco-friendly fashion
- Athleta – fitness brand owned by GAP
- Patagonia – sportswear and outerwear company
- Black Diamond – makes equipment for hiking, skiing, and mountain sports
- Adidas – largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and second largest in the world
- ChewyLou – yoga apparel
- Timberland – Waterproof shoes and outdoor wear
- Merrell – American hiking footwear company
- prAna – sustainable yoga and travel clothing
- REI – outdoor clothing company
- Under Armour – sports apparel
- Yogiiza – organic yoga clothing
- 4-rth – eco-friendly American clothing
- American Apparel – clothing retailer
- Everlane – online clothing retailer
- Birdsong London – handmade clothing by female workers
- New Balance – multinational shoe company
- The Reformation – sustainable eco- friendly clothing
- L.L. Bean (though they publicly endorsed Trump) – boot company
- Lush – beauty and self -care products
- Modcloth – various indie and vintage clothing items and accessories
- People Tree – fair trade fashion
- Hanky Panky – ethical intimate and loungewear
- She Thinx – period underwear that provide menstrual products for women and girls in third-world countries.
- Krochet Kids Intl. – organic and ethical clothing brand
- Nisolo – handmade accessories in Peru
- Alternative Apparel – men’s and women’s clothing and accessories
- Fair Trade Winds – fair trade goods and gifts
- Mini Mioche – organic, eco-friendly children’s clothing
- HOPE Made in the World – sustainable eco fashion
- Encircled – women empowered clothing brand
- Tribe Alive – women’s clothing and accessories
- Symbology – clothing and gifts
- Bead and Reel – eco-friendly and ethical clothing
- Eileen Fisher – women’s fashion
- Indigenous – organic and fair-trade
- Toms – donates shoes to inhabitants of third-world countries
- Pact Apparel – ethical, fair-trade, organic clothing
- Elegantees – ethically sourced in Nepal and helps women avoid sex-trafficking and exploitation
- Mayamiko – ethically and sustainably made African clothing and accessories in Malawi (though it is owned by a Caucasian woman, not an African)
- Apolis – clothing and accessories that advocates for global citizenship
- Najas – lingerie, swimwear, and activewear for hope
- Raven and Lily – ethically sourced clothing and accessories
- My Sister – works for sex trafficking awareness that sells feminist apparel and clothing
- Falling Whistles – whistleblowers for peace
- Pura Vida Bracelets – hand-made in Costa Rica sponsors many different causes
- Alex and Ani – supports women’s empowerment and has a Charity by Design collection for
- Lokai Bracelets – current orange Lokai bracelet support mental health awareness, supports various causes.
- Yoobi – office supply company that donates to schools in need
Also, Uber users may elect to make the switch to Lyft. Lyft pays its drivers better and donated money to help those affected by the Muslim ban. Uber openly endorses Trump, and it’s CEO has gotten a lot of attention for his mistreatment of drivers. Uber and Lyft cost the same. A lot of purchases now happen online, Amazon is the largest online retailer, with no cost to the customer, at smile.amazon.com customers may support a charity of their choice.
Some can’t afford to buy ethical clothing, that’s fine. But if a new pair of Nikes is affordable, then so is thoughtfulness. No more excuses.
If you know any brand that is partnered with a charity and/ or is ethically made and sources, please include them in the comments below I would love to check them out.
