What Can We Do?
As college students, we often feel as though there isn't much we can do to make an impact on the world or to fix a problem in society. However, that assumption is wrong. There are many things college-aged students can do to help solve the problem of sweatshops around the world. One important act one can do is to promote awareness of the issue. By handing out pamphlets, hanging up posters, or even creating a website or student organization, college students can reach out to others their age who share similar views. We, as college students, can also inform those who do not know much about sweatshops. An example of this can be seen in the student run organization called United Students Against Sweatshops. Founded in 1998, the USAS* has held many events promoting the awareness of sweatshops including sit-ins, hunger-strikes, and marches. If college-aged students become more active in promoting awareness of the negative treatment of workers in sweatshops, their action could possibly prompt a nationwide spread of knowledge and action. Clearly, it is possible for college students to participate in global affairs.
A second option for college students is to write letters to those companies using sweatshop labor. The content in the letters will be based on logic and reasoning, rather than emotions alone. Although the letters should convey emotion, they should not be extreme when describing ethics and morals. Logically, students can argue that the horrible working conditions may actually be counterproductive to getting the maximum amount of work done with the best quality. Also, one can argue that we are all human beings and no one should be treated as being disposable. These examples are just two of a countless amount of ideas that could be presented to the companies. Creativity is key because the companies may not even read the letter if it is saying the same exact material as all of the other letters they receive. In addition, one letter may not be sufficient to get the company's attention. Therefore, students can create organizations at colleges to raise more awareness. Then, there will be more people who can collectively send letters. Additionally, students can write letters to the government and encourage law-makers to take action against sweatshops as well.
Third, other colleges can become affiliated with the Workers Rights Consortium. WRC is an association made by university administrators, students, and international labor rights experts. This organization mainly focuses on "combating sweatshops and protecting the rights of workers who make apparel and other products."* They offer jobs and internships where students can work side-by-side with other informed professionals. Researching about sweatshops more in depth can offer the typical college student to see how terrible the conditions are. From this knowledge gained from the internship or job, students can try to inform family members, friends, and even community members about the new research found. Also, there is a list of all the affiliated universities with this organization. One could try to find schools that are close in distance and team up to create projects to inform the community. This will give neighboring schools to form a bond while informing about immoral issues.
Finally, and perhaps the most extreme of the possibilities, students can refuse to buy something created by a company that used sweatshop labor in its production. By denying these companies their desired profit, they will hopefully begin to take notice and change their ways. Although we are not trying to completely shut down sweatshops, a large decline of purchases from college students would possibly grab the attention of these companies and manufacturers. One could look at "Sweatshop Hall of Shame 2010"* by the International Labor Rights Forum to obtain names of big brand companies, such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Kohl's, and Walmart, that are the worst offenders of using sweatshops. Stores like Abercrombie and Fitch an Kohl's are popular places for young adults to shop at. The sole reasons why this is could be because the clothing are stylish and, for Kohl's, affordable. If students are willing to look beyond the brand names associated with these stores, then there are many other places that sell clothing that are fashion-forward and budget-friendly. For alternatives, students can check out "SweatFree Communities."* The clothes presented on this website do not utilize sweatshops and the clothes seem to be equally as fashionable, if that is what students are interested in.
*For more information about these topics, refer to the bibliography section under more resource information.
A second option for college students is to write letters to those companies using sweatshop labor. The content in the letters will be based on logic and reasoning, rather than emotions alone. Although the letters should convey emotion, they should not be extreme when describing ethics and morals. Logically, students can argue that the horrible working conditions may actually be counterproductive to getting the maximum amount of work done with the best quality. Also, one can argue that we are all human beings and no one should be treated as being disposable. These examples are just two of a countless amount of ideas that could be presented to the companies. Creativity is key because the companies may not even read the letter if it is saying the same exact material as all of the other letters they receive. In addition, one letter may not be sufficient to get the company's attention. Therefore, students can create organizations at colleges to raise more awareness. Then, there will be more people who can collectively send letters. Additionally, students can write letters to the government and encourage law-makers to take action against sweatshops as well.
Third, other colleges can become affiliated with the Workers Rights Consortium. WRC is an association made by university administrators, students, and international labor rights experts. This organization mainly focuses on "combating sweatshops and protecting the rights of workers who make apparel and other products."* They offer jobs and internships where students can work side-by-side with other informed professionals. Researching about sweatshops more in depth can offer the typical college student to see how terrible the conditions are. From this knowledge gained from the internship or job, students can try to inform family members, friends, and even community members about the new research found. Also, there is a list of all the affiliated universities with this organization. One could try to find schools that are close in distance and team up to create projects to inform the community. This will give neighboring schools to form a bond while informing about immoral issues.
Finally, and perhaps the most extreme of the possibilities, students can refuse to buy something created by a company that used sweatshop labor in its production. By denying these companies their desired profit, they will hopefully begin to take notice and change their ways. Although we are not trying to completely shut down sweatshops, a large decline of purchases from college students would possibly grab the attention of these companies and manufacturers. One could look at "Sweatshop Hall of Shame 2010"* by the International Labor Rights Forum to obtain names of big brand companies, such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Kohl's, and Walmart, that are the worst offenders of using sweatshops. Stores like Abercrombie and Fitch an Kohl's are popular places for young adults to shop at. The sole reasons why this is could be because the clothing are stylish and, for Kohl's, affordable. If students are willing to look beyond the brand names associated with these stores, then there are many other places that sell clothing that are fashion-forward and budget-friendly. For alternatives, students can check out "SweatFree Communities."* The clothes presented on this website do not utilize sweatshops and the clothes seem to be equally as fashionable, if that is what students are interested in.
*For more information about these topics, refer to the bibliography section under more resource information.
