good questions anyone?

My sister recently asked an amazing question, a question I have been asked many times as I begin to tell the world about human trafficking and sweatshops. People often say things like, "yeah, but can we really ever get away from human trafficking? I mean, everything we buy probably comes from sweatshops!" I understand and hear your side, but if we question and come to that conclusion, we have let exploiters win! We have to start somewhere.

My sister asked, in relation to the blog about forever21 (if you haven't read it, check it out)... "what if we get something from forever21 as a gift, or another place that we know supports sweatshops. what do we do? you can't just say 'hey, that company supports human trafficking' because you will make them feel bad. but what do you do? do you keep it or sell it to a thrift store or what?"

This is a great question and is a hard one because it involves other people. Obviously, you can boycott certain stores because that is your choice. But there are people who will from time to time give you gifts (and we all love gifts right :) so how do you let them know how you feel and make them feel good for thinking of you, but also support your own beliefs?

Here are some things you can do if you are put in that situation:

First of all, tell the world and all of your friends your beliefs upfront as soon as you know what they are, then they will be less likely to buy you something that you have directly stated you do not support.

I still understand that someone's memory may slip though, so here are some pointers:

1. Sell the item back to the store (caution: this will NOT work for forever21, they have really strict return policies, where you can only return things for store credit, so at forever21 this would never work), but if the store gives you money back, try and spend that money on something that you know is fair trade. that way you will be giving yourself and the world a little present.

2. Try and tell your friend afterwards, in a setting where the gift is no longer in question, about what you have been learning about human trafficking. the point of learning about human trafficking is so you can tell people about it and get them on board. be bold, but do not make them feel like a terrible person. allow them to be informed. you could even send them to this blog if you aren't as comfortable with conflict.

3. SECOND HAND STORES ARE GREAT WAYS TO GET CUTE CLOTHES FOR CHEAP AND THESE PURCHASES DO NOT GO TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL COMPANIES WHO SOLD THE CLOTHES

Tips for how to shop smarter and sweat-free:
http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/realgreen/articles/nosweatshops.cfm

Hear me out. i know some people are against second hand stores, and you have your reasons. i get that. but are you willing to go without "new" clothes for something greater?
i am not telling everyone they have to shop at goodwill. i know most people cannot build a wardrobe off of goodwill. some people can, who are really gifted, but most can't.
Check out Plato's Closet. they may be snobby by only taking certain clothes, but that is a huge benefit to you. Not only are you saving huge amounts of money by getting your clothing cheap, but you are not giving your money to the original stores either. i would be cautious on wearing some of the clothes with the name of the store blatantly visible on the chest, i mean, that is what we are trying to get away from right? but if you can't live without a certain brand, there is a way to buy it without walking directly into the store and signing your money away to sweatshops.

Haven't convinced you yet? Need any more reasons to shop thrift?
-buying clothes from thrift stores saves the environment from waste in landfills
(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/719461/want_to_be_ecofriendly_visit_a_thrift.html)
-often thrift shops give percentages of their income to charities of their choice (check salvation army, goodwill...etc)
(http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications/1998thriftreport.php)

Daily Commission:
All I am asking is to check out a thrift store in your area. Be smart, do not throw up your hands and decide this is a 'lost cause'

It isn't. and you. yes you. can help change the world.

-til next time- katie