UPDATE: I’ve answered my own question in this post Fair Trade Footwear
As my title might hint at, I’m a follower. I’ve meant to get into that for sometime (today won’t be that day), but here is a part of this following thing.
If I’m really a follower of Christ. If I dare to label myself with that term, then I had best be ready to put it into practice. And, I don’t mean into practice every Sunday, or specifically by reading a Bible, saying a prayer or leaving a tract on a table. What I mean is the idea that everything I do should be considered in light of this belief system. It’s no different then someone who holds to any other belief system. If you are to be real and honest about what your beliefs are, and you truly believe them, then everything you do should be filtered through that.
I think that’s what made it so pressing to me to bring up the issue of Real Estate as we were looking at houses and trying to consider what that means and how we navigate that area as Christians. It’s sad, but I’ve never heard a Bible Study or Sunday sermon about the ethics of Real Estate, yet I know that even in my current church, tons of people are buying houses, or considering buying. I see conversations about these things as essential to our faith, much more then an abstract, feel-good verse reading.
This brings me to the topic at hand: Shoes. My current pair are on their way out. My sandals died about a month ago now, so I’m lacking in the “appropriate to wear to work” category of footwear. What I need is another pair of athletic shoes, just your basic cross-trainers or running shoes. But as with any purchase, I want to consider an ethical approach. It really is a WWJD situation (What Would Jesus Do?).
There is a fair trade running shoe shop, but they charge about $200 for a pair! I find it hard to keep within my values of good stewardship for a purchase like that. Then there is always buying slightly used from Goodwill or eBay, something my mom would highly frown upon. Mom wouldn’t like it because it conflicts with the value of taking care of my body (it’s not my own, it was bought with a price). Then there is always the New Balance route, the hip, cool, stylish, and the closest-big-business-but-still-supposedly-sweatshop-free-or-at-least-trying-to brand of shoe out there (I think Timberland is a close second). That doesn’t sit well with my avoid injustice or even the possibility of injustice if at all possible value.
So, what’s a guy to do?
i really do feel your struggles on this one. as i become more concious of social justice issues, things such as what to buy and where cross my mind often. the fact that you’re programming yourself to think this way is inspiring.
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong in dropping some serious dough on really great shoes. I had a pair of $200 Danner hiking boots that I wore daily for at least five years. I probably walked 7,000 miles in them, at least. The soles were worn out, and I should have had them replaced. Instead, I left the boots lying around until my dog chewed them up. I think I’d still be wearing them today (5 years later) if I’d just had them resoled and kept them from the dog.
The point is that high quality items last a long time. The up-front cost is deceptive.
I’m all for high quality. I agree though the up-front cost is deceptive. I start to wonder if the cost is really for quality or a name. You’d certainly agree paying an extra $60 for a swoosh or three stripes on the side of your shoes is not necessarily increasing the quality.
I guess my question is more if anyone has come to a good answer for this one.
good question. i’ve struggled with this for some time. i design and print t-shirts, and have been stumped about what brand to swtich to. most brands are made in sweatshops, so the choice became american apparel t-shirts because they’re sweatshop free, but i can’t support them either, because while they are sweatshop free, i have problems with the way the company is run, sexual harrassment lawsuits and their ad campaigns. it doesn’t leave many affordable options, even after several weeks of searching and researching, so i’m left not really knowing how to do it in a way that fits with my political/social justice values.
in terms of your footwear issue, try no sweat apparel:
http://nosweatapparel.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=NSS
Leslie,
have you checked out Alternative Apparel?
http://www.alternativeapparel.com/
They seem quality. I totally hear you on the American Apparel issues.
I’ve seen No Sweat’s shoes, they are just a little too chucky and not enough atheletic shoe for me.
Ariah,
I had checked out Alternative Apparel some time ago. They have lovely items and a large selection, but their stuff is far too expensive, especially since I don’t have a wholesaler’s license. I’ve decided to go with Union Jean Company for buying blank t-shirts: http://www.unionjeancompany.com/
It’s frustrating because it seems like in order to find something you can afford, you end up choosing the option you find less offensive (sweatshop vs. sexual harassment). Sigh…
If you would like reasonably priced athletic style shoes that are socially responsible, why don’t you look into TEVA. They make the all terrain sandals, but they also make sneakers and hiking boots. I am on a similar search myself and agree there are no really good athletic shoe sources that don’t use sweatshops.
I found your blog from a google search, it’s encouraging to here you going through the same ethical issues. I just got a pair of shoes from terra plana, ‘worn again’ trainers 99% recycled, it’s based in london though, but thought it might encourage you to take a look at them. God bless, from Sheffield, UK
Try Reebok, they sem like they would use sweatshops but you;; find they dont if you do some research.
Reebock have all the same problems as all the others. You do research. Dont proffer conclusions without evidence, especially when it affects peoples daily existence. Check out Oxfam Australia or the latest reports about BJ&B…
In the UK you can get trainers made from 99% recycled material, I believe they are not from a sweat shop, you might find in the states, Terra Plana is the UK company. A great US company is Simple Shoe Co. they are fairly made and natural for the environment.
Happy searching
Keep following!