Wednesday, February 29, 2012

To begin...

I will be the first to admit that I haven't made the best choices in purchases.  I struggled with compulsive buying throughout high school, resented my parents for making me save money, and even went a little bit crazy with the shopping when I first got to college when I was finally allowed to touch my beloved savings account.  I enjoyed the comfort that money provided, too much.

Throughout high school I became aware of of some of the social injustice that was going on the world, particularly with restaurants.  I had one experience that I will never forget that I believe has made my urge to follow through with my commitments so much stronger:  when I was in high school I had a boyfriend that I thought was the center of the world.  When I first learned about the tomato wars going on with Taco Bell during one of my classes in high school, I immediately sympathized with the farmers.  I went home and researched it and as anyone would who is pumped up about anything, went to share it with him.  I told him all about the terrible working conditions, lack of benefits and unjust pay that these farmers were receiving (or lack thereof.)  What I got in return?  "That's a bunch of bull."  So I was immediately shut down, HE was completely unwilling to listen to any of the CLEAR research that was done on this issue.  Why? Because he enjoyed his Taco Bell runs too much to want to think about all of the other people who were hurting to make these runs even happen.

What about the gas it takes to get to Taco Bell?  What about the brand of car your driving? What about the shirt you're wearing right now?  These thoughts started to drown me, am I actively supporting this injustice by my current state of being?

What has happened to me in the past year that has further altered my mindset of consumption. This past Summer (2011) I did an internship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum through the Washington Community Scholars Center.  Emily King and I quickly found a friendship.  We related to each other very easily over our love of shopping, healthy eating, and mutual scorn of living in a house with 13 other people.  On one of our outings, Emily introduced me to the Better World Shopper.  It was a small, pocket-sized book that had ratings on everything from pizza sauce to gas stations.  It ranked EVERYTHING.  She explained to me that she tries to never shop anywhere below a C in the guide. Which at first glance seemed like everywhere and everything that I had previously used.

Here are the 5 key issues that the book takes into consideration when ranking (taken directly from betterworldshopper.com):
HUMAN RIGHTS: sweatshops, 3rd world community exploitation, international health issues, divestment, child labor, code of conduct.
THE ENVIRONMENT: global warming, rainforest destruction, pollution, recycling, renewable energy, greenwashing, toxic waste, eco-innovations, illegal dumping, sustainable farming.
ANIMAL PROTECTION:
factory farming, animal testing, humane treatment, wild animal habitat.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: family farms, local business support, volunteer efforts, sustainable growth, philanthropic donations, nonprofit alliances, establishing foundations.
SOCIAL JUSTICE : fair wages, fatalities, union busting efforts, health & safety records, discrimination based on: race, gender, age, ability, religion, sexuality, ethnicity.

And here are the rankings (also taken directly from the site above):

At first I nodded with admiration at her commitment to shopping so wholly and conscientiously BEACUSE I didn't think it was possible.  As an American, I was raised on Kraft Mac & Cheese, Nestle's Tollhouse, and McDonalds (of course this was not a regularity, I did have parents who loved me enough to ensure my diet was balanced.) But these were treats that I loved while growing up.  By the end of our time in Washington D.C., I had experienced numerous shopping trips with Emily to know that, hey, this isn't as hard as it sounds.  By exposing myself to smaller, more local alternatives, it was much easier to make good choices when everything in front of you is a good choice.

Upon my return to Harrisonburg, I tried to remember what the book said about certain places, but just couldn't do it anymore.  I went out, bought the book and on the spot made the decision to not shop anywhere that is a C or below.  Just like Emily.  I forced it upon my roommates, who may or may not have gotten extremely annoyed with my constant "I can't, that's a D," "Nope, it's Kraft," and now  my husband, who is very understanding, supportive, and almost as committed as I am to this life decision.

There have been times that I have failed at this.  We did our wedding registry at Target in April of 2011, which is a D.  Not much I can do about that, except for after spending all the gift cards, and making all the exchanges we need to, to never enter that store again.  We had terrible customer service anyway.  I also admit to tagging along in a group and eating at a restaurant that is not a favorable one.  I'm also stuck in a two year contract with Verizon, which just so happens to be an F. My iPhone is no excuse, and though it's significantly overpriced, it's a B+ :)

My most recent commitment that I voiced to my husband while on a choir trip, not knowing where we would stop for a meal was this: I would rather not eat and be hungry then spend my money somewhere that I know is contributing to negative impacts on my fellow human beings.

I may not be able to solve all the world's problems, but I can peacefully and safely protest big box corporations and money hungry business by spending my money where I know that it is fair.  Can you imagine what would happen if everyone did this?  Wal*Mart would go out of business, giving small business owners more of a chance! Pizza Hut would diminish allowing small, family style diners a new beginning!

What I'm doing now? Trying to survive as a poor college student on the slightly higher priced fresh and local produce and goods that my Friendly City Food Co-op provides!  They don't even have brands that I have to question.