Izzy Bonecutter

Blood Stained Cotton and Tear Soaked

Polyester
Look at the tag on your attire. You are most likely to find a small place with the words, Made in
China. Many of us are not informed that In developing countries, an estimated 250 million
children ages 5-14 are forced to labor in sweatshops all around the world. (Sweatshops and
Child Labor.) The attire you have on potentially could have cost the life of an individual laboring
in an unstable sweatshop. Many sweatshops today are in rugged conditions that may include
small work spaces, toxic chemicals, unsafe attire, degrading buildings, etc. It may be evident to
you that most of the products you purchase are not commonly manufactured in America. Do we
as the everyday consumers understand the truth and procedure of making these products and the
effects they have on sweatshop workers globally?
Humans that are no different than us of all ages jeopardize their lives in these unacceptable work
conditions for our benefit. In fact, 36% of Chinas population lives on less than two dollars a
day. Often referred to as the factory of the world, Chinas industry-oriented economy relies on
these impoverished workers who make up the majority of the workforce. (Sweatshops in
China.)
Globalization is the support and the producer of sweatshops all across the world and the adverse
effects that appear and move with them. It is our job to advocate and not support these
companies that exploit the less fortunate putting them at risk.
The global economy surrounds each of us on a daily basis. Its a money making, money eating,
life costing, dangerous system with never ending support. Globalization and the global economy
have influenced us to be unconscious consumers who are unaware. Many different forms of
production are involved in globalization. There has been an increasing trend in the world towards
globalization including increased trade across national boundaries and one company having
subsidiary companies and plants in many countries. Many of these countries are putting workers
at risk and our support is encouraging it.
Although globalization has a positive influence in some ways because it allows for diversity and
healthy competition among products and producers, it also can perpetuate unhealthy competition.
Manufacturers are eager to provide products cheaper and quicker than their competition. This
often results in the use of sweatshops in third world countries where labor is cheap and people
can be exploited to work for longer hours with less labor safety laws to protect them.
Meem, a nine year old girl living with her impoverished family, works 12 hour days cutting
small excess strings off piles of collars sometimes larger than her all while sitting on a cement
floor. In the article, I Got Hired at a Bangladesh Sweatshop. Meet My 9-Year-old Boss, a man
(unknown) who had gotten hired at the sweatshop in Bangladesh, where Meem was working,
makes it evident and clear that young men and women are getting taken advantage of for our

own good: When it was done, she took a few gulps of water from a scrunched bottle, walked
around for a bit, her little hands rubbing her back, and went back to trimming threads this
time, from navy cuffs. Meem has been caught in globalization and is experiencing the adverse
effects.
Leslie, a Chinese woman who traveled to different parts of China, explored the truth of
sweatshops. She interviewed young women laboring in the sweatshops. Leslie discloses the truth
and the negative activity that happens inside that we as the consumers are unaware of. In Leslie
T. Changs Ted Talk, The voices of China's workers, she states, We the beneficiaries of
globalization seem to exploit these victims with every purchase we make.A young Chinese
man jumps off a rooftop after working overtime assembling your iPad.
Chang also states, It is globalization, this chain that begins in a farming village and ends with
iPhones in our pockets, and Nikes on our feet, and Coach handbags on our arms, that has
changed the way these millions of people work and marry and live and think. Very few of them
will want to go back the way things used to be. Globalization is the cause.
It is crucial for our society to support local companies and find ways that don't involve us in
supporting other distributers that use sweatshops. Though consuming goods at lower expenses
may excite our pocket books, it is essential to be aware of where our products are coming from
and purchase products that were made in a humane way.
On average Americans buy somewhere around 68 new garments every year. (Rakestraw) Each
purchase most likely is affecting someone around the world. There are several ways we can back
away from showing support towards sweatshops and create a more positive impact on
globalization and the global economy.
Buy Less. This tip may seem simple and trite, but its true. Most individuals own many more
clothes and products than they need. Choosing to own and buy fewer clothes decreases the work
and risk of the individuals working in sweatshops. Consuming less also decreases the
competition of businesses, leading to decreased pressure in sweatshops.
Go Used. While technically most the clothes found in thrift stores and consignment shops were
originally made using unjust labor practices, buying used doesnt directly support companies
who use sweatshops for their products. There are also great reuse options like clothing swaps.
There are many local organizations that are involved with clothing swaps. Second Time Around
is a great shop to bring in old clothes and receive store credit! (Located in Durango.)
Make Your Own. This tip may come across as daunting at first, but DIY is in and there are
countless resources and classes for making your own clothes.
Imagine children, parents, family, like yours, risking their lives, laboring in unhealthy, unstable
work environments for our benefit. It may be a fancy label, that states 100% cotton, 100%
polyester, but never states the truth, always tears and blood.

Works Cited:
Embar, Wanda. "Sweatshops and Child Labor." Sweatshops and Child Labor. N.p., n.d. Web. 11
Feb. 2015.
http://www.veganpeace.com/sweatshops/sweatshops_and_child_labor.htm
"Sweatshops in China." War On Want. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
http://www.waronwant.org/overseas-work/sweatshops-and-plantations/china-sweatshops
Aulakh, Raveena. "I Got Hired at a Bangladesh Sweatshop. Meet My 9-year-old Boss | Toronto
Star." Thestar.com. N.p., 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/clothesonyourback/2013/10/11/i_got_hired_at_a_bangladesh
_sweatshop_meet_my_9yearold_boss.html
"The Voices of China's Workers." Leslie T. Chang:. N.p., June 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
http://www.ted.com/talks/leslie_t_chang_the_voices_of_china_s_workers
Rakestraw, Marsha. "Sweatshop Free." Institute for Humane Education. N.p., 03 Apr. 2013. Web.
17 Feb. 2015.
http://humaneeducation.org/blog/2013/04/03/5-tips-keeping-sweatshop-free-closet/