Laughing City

Whats the best color for Converse shoes?
Green with lime green laces
10%
 10%  [ 2 ]
Red
45%
 45%  [ 9 ]
Black with purple laces
45%
 45%  [ 9 ]
Total Votes : 20

Author Message
The_Sympt0m
Vintage Newbie


cynlovescandy wrote:
Some people see the good side of Child Labor.

I think it's horrible...but you have to consider...
without jobs...what would these kids do? starve?
Their countries don't have the means to provide them jobs.
So we go over there, and to some "exploit" them.
But regardless, a family of 5 making not much money.
Is a lot better than a familly of 5 not making ANY.
I think the larger issue is with the country.
I think we should help them use their resources to build their own economy.
THEN, Industrialized countries won't be able to exploit,
The people will have other/better job opportunites.

I wear converse. Why? Because I like them.
But if someone doesnt buy them because of Nike and child labor
I respect that.


Yeah, you're right, Child Labor RULES!

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vivalaspopie
Vintage Newbie


Pantheon4 wrote:
cynlovescandy wrote:
Some people see the good side of Child Labor.

I think it's horrible...but you have to consider...
without jobs...what would these kids do? starve?
Their countries don't have the means to provide them jobs.
So we go over there, and to some "exploit" them.
But regardless, a family of 5 making not much money.
Is a lot better than a familly of 5 not making ANY.
I think the larger issue is with the country.
I think we should help them use their resources to build their own economy.
THEN, Industrialized countries won't be able to exploit,
The people will have other/better job opportunites.

I wear converse. Why? Because I like them.
But if someone doesnt buy them because of Nike and child labor
I respect that.


They beat the kids. And they can't always quit. Btw a few pennies isn't that much even in the third world.


valid points, both sides. but i definitely agree that the root of the problem is the corrupt governments, not just the companies or americans.

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cynlovescandy
Vintage Newbie


The_Sympt0m wrote:

Yeah, you're right, Child Labor RULES!


Oh, I don't think Child Labor RULES!
I just think that there's a lot more to it than it seems.
I definitely think that Child Labor is a bad thing.
But, in the general scheme of things, it's not the worst.
There is evil in the world.
Things that no one is proud of,
yet it's there.
People blame companies like Nike,
and the people that buy Nike products.
But we're all to blame.
If you feel morally obligated to not buy Nike products,
I think that's fabulous, seriously, It's admirable.
BUT...
Everyone has different priorities.
Everyone has their own way of "changing the world"
A good start I think is to be kind
Be respectful
Be patient
Be humble
Be honest
Not just to children in third world countries
But to everyone
Including people you disagree with.
Lead by example
Not by "bossing" or "telling".

I try to think about all views before I jump to conclusions
That's all I was trying to do.
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CUBSWINWORLDSERIES
Vintage Newbie


At least 1/2 my clothes are made in third world countries and I have no good way of knowing what is made by children, sweat shops, etc... I think this discussion could lead to a lot of positive. We all should care more about these things, do some research on the brands we buy, and make educated decisions that fit with our moral beliefs. Children being exploited is bad, period. A sweat shop for pennies a day for a child is not a hand up in life. And why are the children working there and not the adults if it's such a good wage in the third world country? Sounds like a form of child slavery to me.
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The_Sympt0m
Vintage Newbie


cynlovescandy wrote:
The_Sympt0m wrote:

Yeah, you're right, Child Labor RULES!


Oh, I don't think Child Labor RULES!
I just think that there's a lot more to it than it seems.
I definitely think that Child Labor is a bad thing.
But, in the general scheme of things, it's not the worst.
There is evil in the world.
Things that no one is proud of,
yet it's there.
People blame companies like Nike,
and the people that buy Nike products.
But we're all to blame.
If you feel morally obligated to not buy Nike products,
I think that's fabulous, seriously, It's admirable.
BUT...
Everyone has different priorities.
Everyone has their own way of "changing the world"
A good start I think is to be kind
Be respectful
Be patient
Be humble
Be honest
Not just to children in third world countries
But to everyone
Including people you disagree with.
Lead by example
Not by "bossing" or "telling".

I try to think about all views before I jump to conclusions
That's all I was trying to do.


You better shut up and stop spoiling peoples' mindses!

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loveisachemical
Vintage Newbie


cynlovescandy wrote:
The_Sympt0m wrote:

Yeah, you're right, Child Labor RULES!


Oh, I don't think Child Labor RULES!
I just think that there's a lot more to it than it seems.
I definitely think that Child Labor is a bad thing.
But, in the general scheme of things, it's not the worst.
There is evil in the world.
Things that no one is proud of,
yet it's there.
People blame companies like Nike,
and the people that buy Nike products.
But we're all to blame.
If you feel morally obligated to not buy Nike products,
I think that's fabulous, seriously, It's admirable.
BUT...
Everyone has different priorities.
Everyone has their own way of "changing the world"
A good start I think is to be kind
Be respectful
Be patient
Be humble
Be honest
Not just to children in third world countries
But to everyone
Including people you disagree with.
Lead by example
Not by "bossing" or "telling".

I try to think about all views before I jump to conclusions
That's all I was trying to do.


Nicely said.
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PurpleCloud93
Lost at Forum


ummm...wow! Yeah, child labor sucks and all(I have a journal made by a little forced-prostitue girl) but I just like the shoes! Surprised
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Eria
Sea Post King


I have one pair of high top Chuck Taylor's... well actually they're my moms from like 1979 and I still wear them sometimes. They were originally black but now they're kind of ugly faded green. They're not very pretty but I like them cause they've got character. Smile
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breathless
Sea Post King


Eria wrote:
I have one pair of high top Chuck Taylor's... well actually they're my moms from like 1979 and I still wear them sometimes. They were originally black but now they're kind of ugly faded green. They're not very pretty but I like them cause they've got character. Smile


That's the way....

My cousin (a guy) was appalled that I had high tops instead of the cut off converse, because the cut offs are in style where he lives (I live in Michigan and he lives in Texas). The point for me is almost not to be fashionable. I absolutely cracked up when he said "What?! I live for style!"
Coming from a guy that's slightly disturbing Shocked

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thexrunaway
Golly, Poster


I have a pair of black high tops on right now. I find Converse to be comfortable and fit my personal style for the last 4 or 5 years. I have owned several shoes, they usually last me at least 6 months even if I wear them everyday including in the winter. Whoever commented that they are perfect for slipping on any surface is right though, I step very carefully in the wintertime.

I think I do feel that Vans slip-ons are superior though. I just wore through my second pair in 3 years.

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PurpleCloud93
Lost at Forum


Amen! Very Happy
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joseph
Lost at Forum


cynlovescandy wrote:
Some people see the good side of Child Labor.

I think it's horrible...but you have to consider...
without jobs...what would these kids do? starve?
Their countries don't have the means to provide them jobs.
So we go over there, and to some "exploit" them.
But regardless, a family of 5 making not much money.
Is a lot better than a familly of 5 not making ANY.
I think the larger issue is with the country.
I think we should help them use their resources to build their own economy.
THEN, Industrialized countries won't be able to exploit,
The people will have other/better job opportunites.


Whatever helps you sleep at night.

When you state such things, it begs the question, "Why don't countries have the means to provide citizens employment?"

Many of these countries have a history of exploitation through colonialism. Just consider the carving up of Africa, or the coercion of other colonies to produce raw material for Europe. In exchange, Europe manufactured goods from the raw material, and sold it back to these colonies, which was highly inefficient, but beneficial to the Europeans. That's parasitic, and it is similar to what goes on today.

I'm not blaming anyone, just stating what happened.

Many countries don't have available resources to build their own economy. Take Japan for instance. Almost no natural resources, except their ingenuity. So they use what they have. But they're lucky. They received beneficial help, for the US realized that it was in their best interest to rebuild a war torn country. We must now realize that it is in our best interest to mimic our actions in Japan all over the world. Exploiting other countries' cheap labor isn't that process, not even in the least. Not only do such workers receive inadequate compensation, they also work in unsuitable enviroments. If you call that a step up, you are mistaken and ignorant. We must build up the resources of another country, and share the wealth. There's plenty to go around.

The larger issue is not with the their government or our business, but with ourselves. We have a responsibility to each other.

cynlovescandy wrote:

I definitely think that Child Labor is a bad thing.
But, in the general scheme of things, it's not the worst.
There is evil in the world.
Things that no one is proud of,
yet it's there.
People blame companies like Nike,
and the people that buy Nike products.
But we're all to blame.
If you feel morally obligated to not buy Nike products,
I think that's fabulous, seriously, It's admirable.
BUT...
Everyone has different priorities.
Everyone has their own way of "changing the world"
A good start I think is to be kind
Be respectful
Be patient
Be humble
Be honest
Not just to children in third world countries
But to everyone
Including people you disagree with.
Lead by example
Not by "bossing" or "telling".

I try to think about all views before I jump to conclusions
That's all I was trying to do.


That's an admirable point-of-view. That kind of thinking changes the world. It's good to consider all sides before making a conclusion. Yet, it is obvious that American companies are exploiting cheap labor, and both American and foreign governments sit idly and watch, while most people are pretty much oblivious.

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PurpleCloud93
Lost at Forum


I just got some new orange converse! Yea!
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Sprocket
Vintage Newbie


I wear sandales and I think joseph's post was beautifully and eloquently put. Smile Well done, Sir.
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dial r for revenge
Golly, Poster


from cleanclothesconnection.org
Quote:
If some products of a certain brand are made in a sweatshop, can I assume that all their products are?

No. Nike is a good example. While Nike has become the poster-child of sweatshop abuses, Nike products from the Mexmode Factory in Mexico are made by workers represented by an independent union that protects them from abuses and gives them a say over the working conditions. Since this factory produces mainly for the university market, students are playing an important role ensuring that Nike continues to place orders from the factory. The lesson here is that we need to know the exact factories that make the products we buy. When we don’t have this information, we should pressure companies to tell us so that we can learn what the conditions are.


let's not make this out to be totally a black and white issue, and PLEASE let's not be unnecessarily hostile with each other here.

not ALL of nike's shoes are made by children or in sweatshop conditions. and that's not to defend nike's shady practices but more to say, let's get better educated on what's going on within the company. when we're more educated on their practices we can go some way toward pressuring the company to change their ways, right? let's not make huge blanket statements about companies and attack consumers who don't know better and just wanted to talk about their favourite shoes.

i'll be the first to admit i wasn't totally aware of the scope of the problem, but i've been reading up on it and i'd advise anyone who immediately took the offensive in this thread, rather than jump down people's throats for saying they like a certain brand of shoes, how about offering some sources of information where people can read up about the use of sweatshops and child labour in apparel manufacture? sound like a good idea?

so, if anyone is interested in reading up on the issue:
www.stopchildlabor.org
http://www.cleanclothesconnection.org
http://www.nosweatshop.org
http://www.behindthelabel.org

now let's stop blowing up a thread about black shoes with purple laces into a huge hostile mess and go back to being nice to each other, okay?

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