Actual Text #1: “Knowledge is gained by discernment, by examining, by instruction, but not by bathing, nor gifts, no a hundred holdings of the breath.”
Response #1: I really liked this quote because it talks about discernment, which is something that is very inherent to a Jesuit education. True reflection comes about when one takes an inward look at oneself. No corporeal things can bring about true knowledge, and it can only come from deep contemplation. I think this applies to our Fair Trade course because it requires us to discern proper and fair treatment in working environments. We must think through the decisions that we make and the moral implications of them, especially when we have the ability to make a difference in our communities or in the larger communities that we are a part of.
Actual Text #2: “The marketplace does not control us, we control the marketplace-at least to the extent that our inner values and character are stronger than the lure of advertisements and possessions. If we truly want our system of commerce and the conditions of our employment to change, then the place to start is with ourselves.”
Response #2: I thought that this was a very thought provoking statement because it is extremely accurate. Our mind controls a lot of the things that we do. If certain expectations were not created by society, we definitely would not feel inclined to do half of the things that we did. This reminded me of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s activism. He wanted change and did something about it. If we want fair wages, proper working conditions, and equality in the marketplace, then we must start incorporating those behaviors into our everyday practices. Supporting Fair Trade companies and working for Fair Trade companies is a great way to begin the change.
Text 1: "Leverage existing assets...We need to get good at deploying what already exists as we are creating something new."
Response 1: I really liked this concept and the comparison to the parable of Jesus with the loaves and fishes. We live in a society that always tells us that we need more, and what we have is not good enough. It is extremely wise to look back to Jesus' time and note how he lived in the moment, and did not focus on what he did not have, but what he did have, namely the 5 loaves and the 2 fish. I think that people are afraid to tap into their own resources and leverage what they already have because of a belief that it is inadequate. We could save ourselves a lot of money, time, and energy if we just used what we have and see how we can improve it.
Text 2: "Our tagline at the Trinity Boston Foundation is 'Together, let's change the odds.' But unless we get the 'together' right, there's no way we will succeed."
Response 2: I really liked how the Trinity Boston Foundation places a strong emphasis on building relationships and community. Change begins when a group of people rise up to influence others in a positive way. Without unity, this doesn't happen. If everyone got together and pooled their resources, imagine all of the positive change that could occur in this world. The power that individual communities have is amazing. These are the strongest places to begin, for without a foundation, there is nothing to stay grounded in.
Text: “Upward Mobility gives people the hope that their dreams may someday come true.”
Response: The United States was built on the concept of the American Dream. I can strive to work hard and will ultimately climb the ranks to success. Rooted in this concept of the American Dream is also the concept of individualism. Do we climb societal ranks with the ending hope that we can help others? Or, do we climb the ranks in order to be at the top of the social ladder and bask in the social glory that is associated with the people at the top? The irony of upward mobility is that some can never rise high enough on the social ladder because the person below is always viewed as a competitor. Living in fear of defeat can lead people to put off their dreams all together, therefore crushing the concept of upward mobility as an achievable reality.
Text: “Our society mediates meaning and sense of self.”
Response: Upward mobility is rooted in individualistic tendencies. In our society, a person is defined by his or her successes, rather than their character. Social rivalry has also contributed one up our close friends in society, always striving to place ourselves before others. Society tells us who we are and where we fit in, and we place far too much emphasis on the opinions of others when looking at our own selves. Personal worth and value is no longer determined by our own happiness, but others’ perceptions of us. I am definitely guilty of this. I think we all are to some degree. It is nearly impossible to not care at least a little bit about what somebody else has to say regarding your appearance, accomplishments, or personality. We all want to feel important, and affirmation is one essential way that we “gain” importance, at least in our own eyes.
“The Story of Stuff” Actual Text: Annie Leonard’s differentiation between planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence was very eye-opening to me. The significant distinction between the two, yet the same underlying goal is an important concept to be aware of as consumers in a materialistic society.
Response to the “The Story of Stuff” Planned obsolescence is stuff that is intrinsically designed for the dump. The products are made to be useless within a short amount of time so that consumers can throw it out and buy a new product, so as to stimulate the economy. Perceived obsolescence is the notion that people throw away products that are still useful. This occurs because people are tricked into thinking that products are outdated and useless because new models are rapidly coming out, so people are under the impression that they need to buy the latest and greatest product. Annie Leonard also presented the statistic that 1% of most products are still in use, 6 months after they have been purchased. This means that 99% of these products are trashed within 6 months, and the cycle continues. I think that this is a crime to produce products with such low lifecycles, and also to produce so many products that are not intrinsically different from a previous edition. This is deceptive and focuses on the bottom line. A sustainable method of business would focus on people, the planet, and profit.
“The Story of Change” Actual Text The statistic that 74% of Americans support tougher laws on toxic chemicals in products is an overwhelming amount of people who demand change for the betterment of the planet.
Response to “The Story of Change” This movie focuses on changing policies that are the sources of the problems. The changes to these policies cannot happen at the supermarket. Rules that work require real change from the source, and often by identifying the heart of the problem. The problem needs to be changed so that the right thing becomes the easiest thing to do. Everyone must work together until the problem is solved. Like leaders before us such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr., we must take a big idea and blend it together with our commitment to change, and then take action that is unwavering. This percentage of Americans who want change is very impressive and I am confident that if these people worked together for real, committed change, this problem with sustainability and wastefulness can be overcome.
Text #1: The new revenues that the job projects create cover most of the capital expenses.
Response #1: With each new project, Conchy says that an average of 60 new full-time jobs are created. These projects have been able to create revenues that cover almost all of the capital expenses associated with Mia Senior Living Solutions. This reminds me of the community development programs that have been aided by Fair Trade throughout the years. Since 1998, over $114 million has been given to community development programs with the help of the premiums that are paid to the producers of fair trade products. This money has gone directly to the create of healthcare systems, education systems, parks, homes, and an overall better quality of life for the small communities that supply the world with fair trade products. The Mia Senior Living Solutions model is similar in that it is dedicated to helping the people in society that would have not been fortunate enough to reap the benefits that the many others do.
Text #2: She emphasized that timing was everything, especially when she traveled to Fort Lauderdale to visit an elderly housing building.
Response #2: Conchy always made it clear that timing was everything. After a sudden trip to Fort Lauderdale to visit an elderly housing building subsidized by public funding, which had been ravished by fire, she realized that she had been sent there for a reason. She witnessed rat infested apartments, rotten food, and people on beds that were covered in worms, just to name a few things. She felt that she had no option but to act out against this misfortune. She likes projects that are difficult and have no chance of success because the people that the project assists are usually in the most need. I agree with her theory that she needed to go where there is the most need because that is where others turn a blind eye. The moral obligation felt by Conchy was something that she could not forgive herself had she ignored the situation. This calling is important to recognize in any aspect of life. If there is a gut instinct that there needs to be change, usually that is correct and a situation needs to be improved. It only takes one person to jumpstart change, and Conchy felt that it was her moral obligation to do so.
Text #1: In "The Wound and the Blessing," I was struck by Aristotle's association of a happy life with tragedy. Aristotle says that communitas carries the mark of suffering within itself. He says that the other person is a blessing but that he or she is the one who wounds me and whom I wound in turn, since the wounding and blessing are reciprocal in nature.
Response #1: This follows Tzvetan Todorov's theory that interpersonal relationships are a necessary evil. Machiavelli states that the social life was not a blessing but a curse and a wound. He further states that "the good life, the blessing, then depends on others who can hurt me." I agree with this to a certain extent. In order to truly reap the benefits of a happy life, one must be vulnerable to the different friendships that life has. It is through our most difficult trials that true happiness can emerge, and this often times occurs with friendships and relationships. In order to experience life lessons, one must interact with others and risk the chance of being emotionally wounded. The one who wounds and the one who is wounded are experiencing a reciprocity that is unlike any other and is the essential backbone of a relationship. The ability to overcome trials and tribulations are the making of a true relationship that Aristotle intended, given man's nature.
Text #2: In "Religious Values and Corporate Decision Making: The Economy of Communion Project," I was very moved by the focus on interpersonal relationships. The Economy of Communion Project is based on equal consideration for all. Those who receive help are not considered "assisted" or "beneficiaries," but as active participants in the project.
Response #2: I love this attitude towards communal participation. This places the focus from the philanthropic actions to the actual shared gifts that each member of the community brings to the table. This article goes on to explain how it is not always about the material gift, because the gift of self is the most precious gift of all. Those who cannot contribute material gifts are not considered a burden, but rather a means for the community to understand how to stand in solidarity with its members. This theory emphasizes the initial mission of the Focolare Movement, which was to "Love one another as I have loved you," which was Jesus' most important call. The equal distribution, the dignity given to all, and generosity to the community represent an understanding of this exact teaching.
Text #1: Archbishop Oscar Romero was called a theologian of the Beatitudes, who not only practiced and lived them every single day, but also made them real for the people of El Salvador.
Text #2: The second point that stood out to me was his urgent appeal for the soldiers to disobey their orders to kill from their superiors.
Response #1: Oscar Romero was called a theologian of the Beatitudes because he defended the rights of the poor and made them human rights. In the opening scene of the movie, the viewer can overhear Archbishop Romero saying "Whose pastor am I? Am I the pastor of a people that suffers or oppresses?" These questions are indicative of the type of leader he was. From the start, he aligned himself with the teachings of the Church and made it his mission to comfort the poor and have them treated with the dignity that Jesus would have showed them. With the death of his dear from Father Rutilio Grande, Oscar Romero demanded that there be no further participation in the government's function until his death was investigated, he closed all Catholic schools so they could study the "national reality," and he declared Misa Unica, so that the people could worship together. Romero was a man of his word and God's Word, and he made it clear that he would not tolerate injustice, so he took direct action through nonviolent action.
Response #2: With his urgent appeal in his final homily to disobey orders to kill, Archbishop Romero essentially wrote his own death sentence. However, he never spoke of his own death and never wanted protection for his life. Insubordination is considered a military crime so this appeal was not supported by the military whatsoever. Romero was accused of being a terrorist and a communist who was planning to overthrow the government. Throughout the accusations and his entire time in El Salvador, Romero remained focused on the Law of God as the ultimate power. The Law of God was missing through the 80,000 deaths and 500,000 misplaced citizens. Romero insisted that God's message be present on earth amidst utter chaos, and he was going to have this happen even if it meant he would die.
The article mentions the distinction between two kinds of goods: The things that money cannot buy such as friends or the Nobel Peace Prize, and the things that money can buy, but should not, such as kidneys and children. The article goes on to mention the apologies and wedding toasts that are also available for purchase, which is an entirely new concept for me.
This distinction points to money as the root of many problems. However, I believe the problem to lie in the holder of the money, rather than the actual wealth. If a person purchases a wedding toast, this person is not a great friend because they cannot personally articulate their friendship. If I ever received an apology that was paid for, I would be more insulted than the original offense. I disagree with the distinction that money can buy, but should not buy kidneys. This is extremely necessary at times, especially when a person’s life is on the life. Additionally, purchasing children for adoption is a wonderful thing that shows a wise use of money for the betterment of society.
The second point that I found interesting was regarding the nuclear waste proposal in Switzerland. I was surprised to find out that when the people were offered money to have the plant built, they were less willing to accept it.
Typically, when people are offered money to accept something that is not ideal, it increases their willingness to agree with it. However, I agree that this is a blatant bribe. The people of Switzerland felt that the money incentives crowded out their civic duty, and that they were more likely to accept the deal if a public good such as a new school, park, or a community center was given to them instead of cash. I completely agree that in some cases, monetary incentives and diminish the nature and value of a deed. The concept that “cash is king” has always been engrained in our minds and sometimes, cash is not always necessary for an exchange to occur, especially when the exchange holds the nature of a bribe.
Model Cameron Russell's TED Talk regarding appearances vs. reality presented a thought-provoking point of view towards a typically glamorous career. The superficial reality that models portray is a reality that Cameron does not identify with at all. She stressed that she won a "genetic lottery," and that the images that people see are merely "constructions" of the models, not even worthy of the title "pictures." "It is difficult to unpack a legacy of gender and racial oppression, when I am one of the biggest beneficiaries," Russell states.
I was extremely surprised by Cameron's reaction towards her career. This is an extremely rare and honest opinion of the modeling industry, and to hear it from somebody who has been modeling for some time, is quite an eye-opener. I really enjoyed how she emphasized the benefits of her looks, and has received free passes because of them. She spoke about a time she was pulled over by the police, and a simple apology to the officer got her and her friends out of trouble. She states that this is not the case for black males in New York City. I loved her point that she is the biggest beneficiary of the legacy of racial and gender oppression. Everybody is willing to talk about oppression, yet to acknowledge oneself as a benefiting factor of the injustice is incredibly bold and uncommon. Cameron's talk serves as a great eye opener to young girls and those who do not think that appearances play a significant role in everyday life.
The section of the article entitled "Why Change Traditional Trade?" had an incredibly powerful fact that stated "The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, with the world's richest 20% consuming over 75% of the world's resources while the world's poorest 20% consume only 1.5% (World Bank 2008)." Additionally over 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day.
This fact puts into perspective how frivolous the majority of the world really is. The incredibly sad part of this statistic is that the world's poorest are the people who are producing the goods that the world's richest benefit from. Thinking through my day, I can point out many areas where I really did not need something I purchased or used. The excess that the majority of the world absolutely depends on is frightening compared to the 1 billion people in the world who only have $1 to spend. I guarantee that most would decline the challenge to live on $1 a day because in our society it just seems preposterous. Money security is one of the biggest fears and another fear should be the fact that over 1 billion people are only surviving on $1 per day. That number will continue to rise if the richest 20% continue to deplete the resources so that the poorest 20% get virtually none of the resources in the world.
Regarding the Disposable People site, I was completely humbled with the quote, "Slavery probably crept into your life several times today." The ten shocking, yet true, facts that the website gives are a chilling reminder that human trafficking is a very real situation in the world. Sex slavery, child prostitution, and child labor are realities that are often overlooked by many people, including myself. It is a common reaction to think that there is no way that these crimes have any impact on us, especially as college students, but that is not the case.
After thinking through some of the products that my friends and I enjoy such as coffee, shrimp, clothing, and shoes, at one point in time, all were probably handled by a slave. The indirect connection that we have to slavery is a reminder enough that we must utilize our purchasing power to benefit the workers that support Fair Trade products. By creating a market demand for fair trade products, and eliminating a demand for products that are not fair trade, but produced by slaves, we can play a part in stopping the injustice in the world. The 27 million slaves that are in the world today should be treated as non-disposable, sacred human beings.
In terms of the "Using Our Purchasing Power for Justice and Hope" article, I was struck by the quote that states, "When we support the poor, 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." Additionally, Henri Nouwen's "Open Hands" states "we become whole only when we an open our clenched fists and release those things that we cling to."
The first quote immediately brought to mind Father McShane who constantly states, "To much is given, much is expected." As a Catholic in the business world, I definitely feel that I have an extra duty to serve those who are not as fortunate as I am. By using the graces that God has blessed me with, I can reach out and do my part to make society inclusive of all. Each one of us is a child of God, and it is not up to individuals to decide who is worthy of attention and love.
God wants us to treat all individuals as equals and not pick and choose, because when we do that, we deny Him completely. Nouwen's quote compliments this behavior. By reaching out to the lowest amongst us, we are letting go of our clenched fists and becoming not one, but many. Reaching out to the fair trade producers also allows us to forgo the products that are easy to acquire, and instead thoughtfully purchase products that provide a mutual enhancement for the supplier and consumer. It takes courage to live for others, and by overcoming this fear, we are allowing ourselves and others to reap the spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits of the world.
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