New Year resolutions are stupid. Yeah, I said it. They're always these lofty and sometimes abstract goals we set for ourselves that most-assuredly always end in failure. Each year, we were encouraged to make goals; as the years wore on, all of us found that setting these goals we would forget after January were useless.
So before I start rambling on with stories of years of failed resolutions, I'd like to announce not a New Year's resolution, but a yearly commitment (which happens to start on New Year's Day)--a commitment my mother, Elaine, my sister, Makenzie, and myself are embarking on in the year of 2011.
I Hannah Grace Marchant, although I may walk through the mall or retail shops, I will fear no evil, for I vow to ONLY purchase recognized fair trade clothing and jewelry or recycled clothing, throughout the year of 2011. Can I get an Amen?
We know that there are a lot of people like us out there. We go to the mall or discount stores and we shop till we drop without a thought, sometimes (ok, let's face it, MOST times) buying more than we need. Not only is it more than we need, but where do these things even come from? Sure, we check the tag every now and then to see how "exotic" our piece might be ["Oh your's was made in Indonesia? Mine was made in China--you know, where the silk was invented."]
We've heard about sweatshops all our lives. Where are they and what clothes do they make? I'll be honest. I have no idea. But isn't that just it? If we CAN know where our stuff comes from and we can KNOW that it's making a positive investment to create fair wages and sustainability, why would we want to buy that other stuff anyways? We know there are impoverished families all over the world who are forced to work for minuscule wages. Maybe this is the only job they can get, and even though the pay is crap, that's all there is.
There are so many other factors that fair trade takes care of. I found a great website for US regulations for fair trade: http://www.transfairusa.org/content/about/overview.php. Check it out. I'll summarize it a little bit. Ok, I'll actually just give you a direct quote: "Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace."
My sister and I, we kinda have this connection. It's not like those crazy twin connections, but you might say we're "kindred spirits" who "get" each other, and a lot of times, we're on the same frequency. I called her up with this idea, knowing she'd be encouraging, and she told me she'd been wanting to do the same thing! Ha. From there, my decision was made. Now, I could have accountability and solidarity in showing solidarity with others (you follow?)!
I had NO idea that when I would tell my mother, she would agree to committing as well! My mother, who I'm sure will introduce herself as well and tell you herself, is queen of shopping. She loves clothes, NEW clothes. And if I may share an embarrassing story: Over Thanksgiving break, she pulled me into her room and asked me if I liked a blazer. I said yeah, it's cute. She said Great! You can have it! While I know my mother is a very generous woman, this seemed suspicious. When I questioned her, she started laughing and made me promise not to tell (oops!) that she had bought the jacket a couple of months ago, hadn't worn it yet, and on her recent trip to the same store, had bought the jacket AGAIN. So, you'd imagine my surprise when she agreed to doing this. I'm very proud of her, though. I can't wait to see how she struggles.
And now, to keep us all accountable, we have you, our readers! (That is if we can ever get anyone besides my dad and aunt to read it.)
I hope to offer more reasons, information, and stories as we go, so please, join us! My mom, my sister and I will be posting regularly so you better just go ahead and subscribe!
-Hannah
-Hannah
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