(no subject)
there's something that's been bothering me for a few days now.
i think my entire medical geography class thinks i'm really politically conservative.. as in... way-overboard-if-i-don't-hide-from-the-hippies-i-might-be-poisoned-in-my-sleep reactionary. okay. not quite that bad. but i go to a school where leftist views prevail and conservatism is not seen in a good light.
i'm not even all that conservative. most people from monti seem to consider me quite the opposite... second to maybe sean beres and that's about it. in all actuality, i have pretty moderate views, and i've become more moderate as i've spent more time at mac.
why am i ranting about my political leanings? welllll... the reason i'm so annoyed primarily deals with gap (product)red.
okay. i may work for gap inc., but by no means do i love corporations and all they do. nonetheless, i believe in gap's investment in (red). according to the (red) manifesto, "as first world consumers, we have tremendous power. what we collectively choose to buy, or not to buy, can change the course of life and history on this planet." it's true. the middle- and upper-classes in the western world have incredible purchasing power... we are a consumer culture. there's a huge amount of wealth to be shared...
here's where my frustration comes in. mac kids seem to have this idealistic view that the only way to contribute in the fight against AIDS/HIV, multiple drug-resistant TB, and malaria is through direct donations or volunteering. they want to be the ones on the front lines, the ones who sacrifice a ton to be the heroes of the world. and they condemn the idea of harnessing our consumer culture for the greater good. apparently, the idea of buying a shirt and having half the proceeds go toward a positive fund is "just sad". sure, donating directly to charity is great... but the vast majority of americans aren't likely to donate all that much a.if it doesn't benefit them personally or someone they know, or b.if it isn't convenient. (red) is so innovative and successful because it targets a new market--not the diehard humanitarians, but the rather wealthier consumer culture. the people most likely to make a (red) purchase aren't generally the type to say "hey. i'm gonna donate to (insert charitable organization here)"... generally, they're people who are shopping anyway and want to buy a shirt... so, if their money actually goes somewhere, that's a start.
i also received a comment along the lines of "the program just perpetuates corporate greed... the clothes are probably made through child labor in some indian sweatshop." in fact, gap's (red) line is manufactured in africa, by african people, often from african cotton... thus spurring the economy in these developing nations and providing women with an income with which to improve their lives. in lesotho, where 1/3 of the population has AIDS, gap is pioneering the apparel lesotho alliance to fight aids (ALAFA) to provide HIV testing and treatment options to factory employees. so, not only does gap donate 50% of the profits from that random shirt you buy, but they're also working to stimulate the economy and increase treatment options in these african countries.
$11,303,926 in (red) funds have been raised so far with another estimated $10 million from over the holiday season. obviously something's going right... you can read more about what's being done with these funds here.
love you all.
maja
i think my entire medical geography class thinks i'm really politically conservative.. as in... way-overboard-if-i-don't-hide-from-the-hippies-i-might-be-poisoned-in-my-sleep reactionary. okay. not quite that bad. but i go to a school where leftist views prevail and conservatism is not seen in a good light.
i'm not even all that conservative. most people from monti seem to consider me quite the opposite... second to maybe sean beres and that's about it. in all actuality, i have pretty moderate views, and i've become more moderate as i've spent more time at mac.
why am i ranting about my political leanings? welllll... the reason i'm so annoyed primarily deals with gap (product)red.
okay. i may work for gap inc., but by no means do i love corporations and all they do. nonetheless, i believe in gap's investment in (red). according to the (red) manifesto, "as first world consumers, we have tremendous power. what we collectively choose to buy, or not to buy, can change the course of life and history on this planet." it's true. the middle- and upper-classes in the western world have incredible purchasing power... we are a consumer culture. there's a huge amount of wealth to be shared...
here's where my frustration comes in. mac kids seem to have this idealistic view that the only way to contribute in the fight against AIDS/HIV, multiple drug-resistant TB, and malaria is through direct donations or volunteering. they want to be the ones on the front lines, the ones who sacrifice a ton to be the heroes of the world. and they condemn the idea of harnessing our consumer culture for the greater good. apparently, the idea of buying a shirt and having half the proceeds go toward a positive fund is "just sad". sure, donating directly to charity is great... but the vast majority of americans aren't likely to donate all that much a.if it doesn't benefit them personally or someone they know, or b.if it isn't convenient. (red) is so innovative and successful because it targets a new market--not the diehard humanitarians, but the rather wealthier consumer culture. the people most likely to make a (red) purchase aren't generally the type to say "hey. i'm gonna donate to (insert charitable organization here)"... generally, they're people who are shopping anyway and want to buy a shirt... so, if their money actually goes somewhere, that's a start.
i also received a comment along the lines of "the program just perpetuates corporate greed... the clothes are probably made through child labor in some indian sweatshop." in fact, gap's (red) line is manufactured in africa, by african people, often from african cotton... thus spurring the economy in these developing nations and providing women with an income with which to improve their lives. in lesotho, where 1/3 of the population has AIDS, gap is pioneering the apparel lesotho alliance to fight aids (ALAFA) to provide HIV testing and treatment options to factory employees. so, not only does gap donate 50% of the profits from that random shirt you buy, but they're also working to stimulate the economy and increase treatment options in these african countries.
$11,303,926 in (red) funds have been raised so far with another estimated $10 million from over the holiday season. obviously something's going right... you can read more about what's being done with these funds here.
love you all.
maja