SYG 2000
11/30/2007- Agenda
1. Announcements
-Study Guide for Exam 3 is posted
-Community Service Projects are due today
-Exam 3 is scheduled for 2nd period on Fri. 12/7, if this is a problem for you, please let me know TODAY
-What’s up on campus and in the community?
-Questions?
2. Today
-Review: Globalization, Corporate Capitalism
-Fair Trade & Conscious Consumerism
…here are the rest of the notes from class today that we didn’t have time to cover.
Why do companies use sweatshop labor?
-To increase their profits (cheaper labor = higher profits)
Is it legal? Yes.
Is it just? You decide.
What does this have to do with ME, you ask?
-What are you wearing?
-Where is it from?
-Who made it?
Exercise
1. Take one item of clothing that you're wearing right now and look at its tag (if nothing you're wearing now is on that list, choose the brand of your shoes, backpack, or electronic item or another brand representing something that is in your closet but not on your body). Check out their company listing at:
Summarize what you find.
2. What is the difference between being a consumer and being a citizen? Which do you currently identify with more and why?
3. Go to this link: Click on “Take Action”. Check out the 4 boxes in the middle of the page. Then choose something that you're going to do to make a change (one of their suggestions or something you come up with on your own) and tell me about it and how its going to impact society.
What can you do about all of this icky situation with globalization?
Be aware. Make choices. Educate others.
1.Buy Local
2.Support FairTrade
3.Be a Conscientious Consumer
1. Why Buy Local?
-local businesses are not necessarily “better” than big box chains but they do tend to treat their employees better and are more accountable (compared to the anonymous folks who own the chains),
-many people find that buying local gives them a greater sense of community-- they like when the person behind the counter knows their name & provides good customer service (locals almost always have better service than chains).
Buying local also helps the local economy and has other benefits,
What is FairTrade Certification & Why bother?
-so, you're not so comfortable knowing that a 15 year old girl in Indonesia was enslaved to make the outfit you're wearing or the shoes on your feet... or that some man in Equador or Ethopia spent 14 hours in the fields picking the coffee beans one by one that went into your Starbucks latte this morning... well, there is something you can do about it.
Note, currently only a few products are Fair Trade certified: coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, rice, vanilla, and some fruits... but more are being added as quickly as possible. There is also clothing and textiles (like rugs) that are labeled as Fair Trade.
See: (click on the link on the right to watch the video Fair Trade: the Story)
Be a Conscientious Consumer
-remember that no company is entirely BAD or GOOD... ok, so Wal-Mart is pretty bad...
see:
-take the time to educate yourself, do some research and find out whether or not the places you're spending your money are in sync with your values
-are you comfortable knowing that someone was basically enslaved to make your outfit, your shoes, your backpack, your cup of coffee, or your lunch?
-if not, choose more wisely...
Here are some links to do Research on Companies
Here is some info that provides more sustainable & ethical options:
These are two cool websites that have very informative listservs. I recommend signing up for Ideal Bite today!
Listservs: &
Products:
Clothing: (made in the USA with well paid employees, however the owner is a bit of a freek and has been cited for sexually harrassing his employees, so this is not an entirely “good” option, but it may feel better than sweatshop clothing)
Food: local, fairtrade, organic food is so much tastier and better for you
Note:
There are 8 Starbucks in Gainesville plus 3 on campus – lots of coffee that is NOT fair trade... BUT there are a number of cafes serving fair trade coffee: Deja Brew at Target Copy, Moka Now at Tutoring Zone, Coffee Culture (2 locations), Maude's Cafe, Ben & Jerrys, The Ox Reading Room, 43rd Street Deli (3 locations), Ivey's Grill, and many of the restaurants downtown-- these places all serve local Sweetwater Organic FairTrade Coffee ( and 2nd Street Bakery serves its own FairTrade brand. So, there really are lots of options.
Get involved
Students for Workers Rights
United Students for Fair Trade
Students Farmworkers Alliance
Companies
Anti-sweatshop organizations & info
Global Exchange
Fair Trade Federation