SPIRITUALITY, FAIR TRADE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
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11	September 2013

Using Our Purchasing Power for Justice and Hope

1. One of the first portions of the text that stood out to me was the statement, "Fair trade is not about charity. It is a holistic approach to trade and development that aims to alter the ways in which commerce is conducted, so that trade can empower the poorest of the poor." The Fair Trade Federation is not establish to give money to the producers that they don't deserve. The FTF is established to make sure that markets are run efficiently and more important fairly. The FTF makes sure that the wages of the workers are fair, their work place in safe, and that they are the ones profiting for their hard work. They also educate consumers and work to form a harmony between the two different ends of the spectrum. They also work to try and maintain environmental sustainability so that the land is protected in the process of production.
My response:
I thought this passage really put a lot in prospective for me. It is not that I thought that by purchasing a product from fair trade was an act of charity, but it helps clarify where my money would actually be going. the FTF works so that the money we spend on goods is allocated correctly. It is important and crucial for the livelihood of the working people to get the money they deserve. It is socially responsible to make purchases through companies that practice fair trade because we know that the money isn't "skimmed" through the process of production.

2. Another section of the text that stood out to me was the passage: "When we support the P.OOr we are not only supporting the poor, we are glorifying God;when we reject the poor, we are not only rejecting the poor, we are rejecting God. (Gal, 5:14). We learn here that God has a mission for us to help out those human beings who have less than us. It is our duty to support them and when we do that we are living out the word of God. It is when we reject the poor that we choose to reject God.
My Response:
I think that this passage was an interesting way to reflect on fair trade. It made me think about how purchasing from companies that abuse workers and hand out unfair wages we are supporting evil. As human beings we should have the social responsibility to support the right care of human beings. By taking a stand and educating individuals about the importance of fair trade we are living out the word of God.