Trade in bargains for Fair Trade

As Black Friday looms around the corner, here’s a challenge for you. Instead of braving the crowds, fighting for a parking space and then the best deal for stuff you may not even need, participate in Buy Nothing Day.

Buy Nothing Day is an international day of protest consumerism in North America, the United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden. Buy Nothing Day is held the day after Thanksgiving concurrent to Black Friday. Elsewhere, it is held the following day, which is the last Saturday in November.

In 2000, some advertisements promoting Buy Nothing Day were denied advertising time by almost all major television networks except for CNN.^[1] Soon, campaigns started appearing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Norway and Sweden.^[5] Participation now includes more than 65 nations.

In our over-consumerism society, we often purchase things, whether we need them or not, just because it was on sale or we got a really, good deal. But at what price does that cheap toy or garment really come? Many people don’t realize that toys made in China, while inexpensive, comes at the hands of child labor and forced child labor. Clothing produced in many other countries, which include Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and more are produced through either child labor, forced labor or forced child labor.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Child labor means all work performed by a person below the age of 15. It also includes all work performed by a person below the age of 18 in the following practices: All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery and where work is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.

Forced labor includes work provided or obtained by force, fraud or coercion, including: (1) By threats of serious harm to, or physical restraint against any person; (2) cause the belief that, if the person did not perform such labor or services, that person or another would suffer serious harm or physical restraint.

So, here are two alternatives: Spend Time in Nature Day and Buy Fair Trade. Every Thanksgiving, my family and I go camping. After hosting Thanksgiving at my house one year, it’s a welcome retreat, and I’m grateful for the time to relax, unwind and appreciate nature instead of battling the concrete jungle of shopping centers.

Secondly, something else I discovered last year is Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Program, where I found a plethora of reasonably priced gifts. Except this price tag comes with the knowledge that I helped uplift a world of people, who are paid fair wages, are provided safer working conditions and have environmentally sustainable practices. Plus, with every purchase, a donation goes to CRS. So, if you if you’re looking for a good deal – that’s two for one—two great causes for the price of one.

If you decide to brave hordes of shoppers searching for that great deal. Consider this, download the Sweat & Toil app from the U.S. Dept. of Labor Download at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/.

There at your fingertips, you will find a complete list of products and the countries that contribute to labor trafficking. Consider using this app not only on Black Friday but this upcoming Christmas season throughout the New Year. It could be your New Year’s resolution! Buying smarter may not save money but you can help save lives.

“Things have a price and can be for sale. But people have dignity that is priceless and worth far more than things.” – Pope Francis