Shopping and social justice

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This came up in the “modest dressing” thread. Clothing companies like Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, and Land’s End have a “made in America” image, but it seems that virtually all of their clothes are made in the third world. I’ve been wondering what, if anything, these companies do to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions in their factories.

It turns out that they have official policies on this sort of thing:

llbean.com/customerService/aboutLLBean/human_rights.html
eddiebauer.com/about/company_info/corp_resp_global.asp
landsend.com/cd/fp/help/0,1452,1_36877_36883_37032___,00.html?sid=0970051082647112120

Then again, I’ve found some complaints about Land’s End, which seem quite recent:

sweatshopwatch.org/headlines/2003/nix_nov03.html
alternet.org/story/17755

So…does anyone know if these “human rights policies” really count for anything?

Also, a more general question: Are there any companies that you go out of your way to buy from, or specifically avoid, for moral reasons (e.g., social justice, animal welfare, or ecological concerns)?

Thanks & God bless,
Mrs. R
 
We don’t buy Levi’s or Dockers or any of the other products of this company because of their corporate support of homosexuality.

Betsy
 
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baltobetsy:
We don’t buy Levi’s or Dockers or any of the other products of this company because of their corporate support of homosexuality.

Betsy
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Corporate support of homosexuality? How so?
 
I am currently boycotting:

Taco Bell : Use of slave labor for produce

Nestle: Causing death of babies in 3rd World Countries

Abercrombie & Fitch: Bad morals

And it looks like I may be adding to this list, thanks to this thread.
🙂 Lilder
 
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lilder:
I am currently boycotting:

Taco Bell : Use of slave labor for produce
Click to expand...
How/where is this done?
Nestle: Causing death of babies in 3rd World Countries
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The same company that was created to save babies who refused their mother’s milk? :eek:
 
Taco Bell is the main purchaser of tomatos from the Immokalee fields in Florida. The conditions there for the migrant workers are basically slavery.
ciw-online.org/tz_site-revision/home/home.html

Nestle markets their infant formula to mothers in areas where it is unsafe. 1.) Their water is contaminated. 2.) Breastmilk helps guard against rampant infections. 3.) They recomend their cerals (again mixed with water) before it is safe for the babies. 4.) The formula supplied is sub-standard.
This was widely known in the late 80’s but Nestle claimed to have cleaned up their act…well they haven’t. In May of this year they were cited by the International Baby Food Action Network for violations in 69 countires.
infactcanada.ca/InfactHomePage.htm
(about the middle of the page is a link to a lot of information concerning Neslte boycotts)

🙂 Lilder
 
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redkim:
Corporate support of homosexuality? How so?
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It’s been a number of years, but if I recall correctly, Levi Strauss withdrew its support of the Boy Scouts because of their rules against homosexual scoutmasters.

Betsy
 
This is a great thread; I hope it grows and grows.

I try to shop at our local hardware store instead of Home Depot. I’m glad he’s there.

I also will never buy Sam Adams Beer ever again until the owner makes a gift of at least a million dollars to Saint Patrick’s in New York for his role in the desecration of that cathedral two or three yeas ago (in fact it was during Mass on the feast of the Assumption.)

Chris C.
 
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baltobetsy:
It’s been a number of years, but if I recall correctly, Levi Strauss withdrew its support of the Boy Scouts because of their rules against homosexual scoutmasters.

Betsy
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Okay…but that doesn’t really answer my question about what corporate support of homosexuality is…just because they withdrew their support doesn’t mean that they actively support homosexuality.
 
OK, here is a positive side to this issue…if you, like me, shop online, there is a website you can go through so that a % of your shopping dollars come back to your parish or your favorite charity. iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=107570&causeid=9046 If you use this link, it costs you nothing, takes nothing away from you, but gives $1. to my parish. And if you shop within 45 days of registering, $5. to your parish or charity. Or if you prefer, you can go directly to iGive.com and not give $1. to my parish. If your parish is not already online, you get permission from your pastor and enroll your Church.

Anyhow, over 500 stores online, lots of the big name stores. You start out at iGive, then go to the store of your choice, shop as you normally would and a specified % of what you spend comes back to your parish or charity. No extra cost to you in any way.

I love this! Been participating for 3+ years, and the $$ raised this way has helped supply our parish pantry for needy folks.
 
BrendaM’s post reminded me…

Our parish has an online “store” that I try to use if I shop via the internet. I don’t think it is through iGive, but a percentage of what I spend at these retailors goes back to my parish. (usually 1% to 5%). I just get there through my parishes website. If anyone wants to help my parish, I’ll send you the website 😉 But seriously, check with your own parish to see if they have a program.

🙂 Lilder
 
the major long distance companies are big supporters of homosexuality. Use Sienna Communications for your long distance service. I truly believe that this sort of Catholic action is vastly more important than who we vote for.

Chris C.
 
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redkim:
Okay…but that doesn’t really answer my question about what corporate support of homosexuality is…just because they withdrew their support doesn’t mean that they actively support homosexuality.
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It doesn’t? They withdrew their support *precisely because * the Boy Scouts do not allow homosexual scoutmasters. What would you call it?

And just to be sure, I did a search using the terms “Levi Strauss” and “homosexual,” and here’s some of what I found:

First article
Second article
Third article

Betsy
 
Is the Saint Antoninus Institute still up and running? They used to publish a pro-life shopping guide that listed corporations that supported Planned Parenthood. Lot’s of fortune 500 companies and some that would suprise the heck out of you like Johnson and Johnson. Why would a company that makes baby supplies support planned parenthood? I think that Saint Antoninus and groups like them did bring pressure to bear on General Mills to end their support of Planned Parenthood.

If you want to know a real social justice story look up the story of Austin concrete supplier Christopher Danze. He has stopped the building of the largest abortuary in the US by rallying his colleagues in the construction industry in greater Austin. PP can’t get the trades they need to complete the project. The story is inspiring as all get out, an PP is furious!

C
 
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baltobetsy:
It doesn’t? They withdrew their support *precisely because *the Boy Scouts do not allow homosexual scoutmasters. What would you call it?

And just to be sure, I did a search using the terms “Levi Strauss” and “homosexual,” and here’s some of what I found:

First article
Second article
Third article

Betsy
Click to expand...
Okay. The first article wasn’t enough to convince me because everyone needs healthcare…but the second and third articles…that just ain’t right…
 
Chris C.:
If you want to know a real social justice story look up the story of Austin concrete supplier Christopher Danze.
C
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WOW! I read your story, and his web site. How awesome this is! And how inspiring that we can stand up for what’s right and make a difference!

Thanks for posting this!

Brenda M.
 
Thanks Brenda

please spread the word. Danze is a pro-life hero and the whole country needs to know about him.

Chris C.
 
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