Fair Trade

three thorns in my side. 1. i love convenience 2. i love wearing beautiful clothes 3. i love buying beautiful clothes.

actually the last thorn i think i am just about free from. i haven't bought any new clothes since we got back from cambodia in january (which for me is quite impressive!) but the other two still muddle with my brain and effect my choices.

case and i have been learning heaps about Fair Trade products (and i think i can smell Jesus). Fair Trade is a label given to products in which work conditions met the UN human rights criteria at every level of production. The coffee bean industry seems to be the current focus of Fair Trade.

after reading the bible for myself i have on overwhelming sense that part of following Christ means caring for the poor...so, i have made a stand...i will not buy coffee or chocolate unless it is fair trade.

but unfortunately know i've started down the rabbit hole i can't seem to stop. the clothing industry is apparently also riddled with oppressive business that don't care about their workers. people work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and still don't earn enough money to pay for basics like the doctors and school, and sometimes even food. working conditions are atrocious and workers are treated like slaves. i shudder to think of how many items in my wardrobe have been made by my beautiful christian sisters living in those conditions.

the red pill, the blue pill? kind of wish i choosen the blue pill. it's my birthday next week and i want to look good. ignornace is bliss...

there's this jumper that i want, but all evidence suggests that if i purchase it i will be supporting business that oppresses the poor. part of me wants to buy it, part of my dosn't. i have two voices in my ears.

"just buy it, don't be so pedantic" "you're being a bit anal" "get off your high horse" "stop being so judgemental, your making other people feel uncomfortable" "just be normal" "be thankful for the good things that you've got, shut up and take you place" hmmmm

the other voice...

"don't buy the jumper - take a stand" "at every opportunity make choices to live out your values" "what do you value most - looking good or caring for the poor?" "let me make you beautiful, let me make you radiate." "when you let your light shine you unconsciously give permission for those around you to do the same." "don't shrink to make other people feel more comfortable." "Who's approval are you after? their's or mine?" "you make statements everyday by the way you choose to spend your money. let me define normal. do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world"

arrrr...well after that it looks like i won't be buying that top...and bugger you if you think i'm being anal.

i dance for an audience of one.