As i sit in the warm African sun, My mind is racing, my
thoughts are crowding my mind. I think about the people who have commented that
My life is now worlds apart from theirs and how do I survive? this got me
thinking, our worlds are not that far removed. Firstly, I have the world wide
web. I log on to a Japanese computer and open my Chinese Brand fridge, to get
my Italian branded-milk so I can have a cup of English tea in my mug made in
china, to sit on a chair made in Zambia. I look over to Our Japanese imported
vehicle and I hear the sounds from the football field, from the Saturday
afternoon soccer match, where I can be sure that each and every player is, in
their mind, Someone in the A league. Chelsea versus Man-U are at play today. I get a text
message on my Finnish Nokia Phone( I could go on, but I am sure that at
this stage, you get the point). Although, in the material, our lives seem
fairly similar, our societal norms and values, along with our culture separate us.
Globalisation. Ah yes. It's either a wonderful thing, or
not. It comes down to capitalism and how it impacts our lives. There are
theories on both sides of the spectrum. Today, at this moment in time, for my
selfish thinking, it is great, so I can sit here on the internet and see what's
happening beyond what my eyes can see. On the flip side, ask a worker in Apac,
Uganda what they think about this. These Organic Cotton farmers, I am sure, do
not have an overwhelming desire to grow organic cotton in order to clothe
babies in wealthy Western countries, rather I would say that Ugandan organic
cotton farmers grow organic cotton to feed and clothe their own babies. (If
they don't die from cerebral Malaria first). In order for this cotton that is being produced to be
deemed as ‘organic,’ no pesticides can be used anywhere in the process of the cotton
growing. Cotton is grown in water; water attracts mosquitoes; Of course, so
that you and I can feel warm and fuzzy and buy our organic cotton, Mama Pamela,
Mama Sofia, Mama Regina and Daddy Jacob cannot use mosquito repellent on their
skin. This is turn is adding to the problem of malaria, in a nation with
ill-equipped medical facilities. One of the millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
is to reduce instances of Malaria – a goal set by the United Nations, signed by
its member states, some of whom are obviously encouraging the western ideals
that is ‘sexy’ and should make us feel
good. In a world where people argue for equality (in all its forms – marriage for
gays, equal opportunity employment and salaries for women, paid maternity leave
and so on), I wonder if that equal opportunity extends to the farmers and their
right to make a fair wage, and work in conditions that do not put their lives at risk? I guess that in
theory this chemical free farming is a splendid idea for us in the west, but in
reality, baby Omara is dying so that Baby Max can wear organic.
Essentially , many people argue against capitalism. This
reminds me of a text I read at uni and influenced my thinking somewhat Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People
Mattered. Written in the 1970s by E.F. Schumacher and oh So relevant for me
today.
Just this week in Australia, I notice that the ‘big 4 banks’
have raised interest rates. I know that there are many unhappy Australians. I
also know that wise choices need to be made by consumers in order to get a ‘fair
deal.’ Like keep our money in Community Banks, wear clothing that was made
under fair conditions, purchase diamonds that were not made by children. Being
aware of the capitalistic choices that this world throws at us and remembering
the words of Sir Isaac Newton “For every
action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Like E waste. When our government
tell us to take our computers and old mobile phones (Iphone 1 that is sooooo out-dated)
to a recycle bin, we do, because recycling is good. Have you ever wondered
where that waste ends up? In Tanzania, China, Ghana on a rubbish pile that is
burned and the smoke gets into people’s lungs and adding to health care
burdens.
The Key to consumerism is being educated in our choices and
to not get sucked into the message spread by big business and big corporations.
No matter what great marketing slogan they come up with, their best interests
are never the consumer, but always themselves.
Heavy…. But just what’s on my mind today…… Now I am going to
prepare dinner – bought fresh pineapple today and it smells Great!
Till next time,
Miss Laura
