Imagine our typical western children. So small that some stores have special little doors for them.
It hurts us to let them alone in day care. That first day of school broke our heart a little.
We would do everything for them. When they get sick, even though we know it's just a cold and
we have enough medicine and doctors available to us, our heart aches because our baby isn't well.
If our daughter scratches her knee while playing football and tears up her shorts, we'll
run to the store, as soon as we can to buy her a new pair. We can't even conceive a world where
any of our children's needs isn't properly and beautifully met.But where did those shorts
came from?
Who made that adorable pink dress, that it was so cheap we bought one in every color?!
Deep down we know. We don't want to face it because we love being able to fill our house with
toys and clothes for our children. A way to physically show our love. The problem here is that
material things only allow for some joy. We keep needing more and more. Not just because
the world demands it. But because that's not a sustainable way of loving.
That toy was new and exciting last week. Our children want to spend time with us now,
Not only with Legos. As cool as they may be, Lots of things is not a substitute for love. Lots of things come from a lot of pain.
Lots of things are made by children just like ours who were born in the wrong place, at the
wrong time, with the wrong skin color and with the wrong social status. Those new adorable
trainers, were made by children just like ours. However, there is another set of parents, on the
other side of the world, that can't afford the clothes and toys their children help making.
They can't afford the doctors nor the medicine. Their children will never know what Legos are.
There will be no football uniforms to ruin. There will be nothing but the blood sweat and tears
we choose to ignore. These other parents work, sometimes more than 2 jobs, just so that they
can pay for shelter and some food. They have no holidays, they can't complain and they are
tremendously likely to suffer physical abuse from their bosses.
They know nothing of our 40 hour week and our retirement plan. Truth be told, they probably won't need it. And they know it.
The people who were imprisoned under the ruins of the Raza Plaza in Bangladesh weren't the
unfortunate victims of an accident. They were the unfortunate victims of modern slavery.
Forced to work even though they were scared of going into the building, every single day.
On the other side of the world, lots of things matter more than people.
The United Nations numbers are clear, 218 million children work. Their childhoods were robbed
from them. 40 million people were victims of modern slavery. Their rights, their freedom was robbed
from them. These atrocities used to be hidden, but not anymore. Now we know how this practices
are polluting the planet in every way possible.
Now we have the power to save the generations to come.
By controlling the compulsive way we consume, and demanding that our everyday essentials
aren’t made at the cost of others suffering, we will force brands to change their ways.
We see this happening more and more. Mainstream brands are changing the materials they use
and advocating for more sustainable alternatives. But this is not enough. It will only be enough
when no child is forced to leave their education behind to work in terrible conditions.
It will only be enough when Basic human rights are a given thing all over the world.
We will only see true evolution, and actual human development when we start acting from a
place of love instead of a Place of fear. A fear that comes from the ignorant belief that there
isn’t enough to go around, and that going out of our way to help a stranger in need leaves
us vulnerable, and that being vulnerable is a weakness.
Its time, live up to our true potential and get rid of those lies. So, what do we say to slavery?
What do we say to unethically made clothes? Not today.
Together we can change the world. Step by step, as small as it may seem we will get there.
Looking forward to reading your opinions on this matter in the comments bellow.
Have a beautiful day,
NAE
