Perpetuating human rights abuses should not be a consumer choice

In the grocery store this week, the organic bananas had a new sign announcing they are also fair trade. Right beside them were the “conventional” bananas. When I got home I double checked: yes, banana production has strong links to human rights abuses, including deaths of union organizers.

Recently I have been tired. I have hit the wall Elizabeth Cline may have hit before writing her article for Atmos on giving up ethical consumerism – lightening up her individual burden and doubling down on “building real political power.”

I dedicate a lot of time to learning and sharing about the fashion industry and my responsibility to cause the least harm. But the kind of change we need can’t solely depend on people with the time and inclination to research every single purchase.

At the grocery store I was struck by how ridiculous it is that we leave the choice of whether or not we commit human rights abuses to the preferences of consumers. (This is not at all a comment on what produce you buy. Feed yourself the best you can.) Canada has labour laws that reflect our beliefs on what a safe workplace should be…so why does that law not apply to the products we sell here? Why is it even possible for me to purchase products made with slave labour? Why is the burden on individuals to find out what those products are?

I am not giving up ethical consumerism, because I still want to live as much as I can in a world that aligns with my belief system. I have at least some control over what my world looks like. But I am thinking of it less as a vehicle for wider change.

A modern slavery act is working its way through the federal government and Fashion Revolution Canada is studying up on it this summer. I hope that it will be a meaningful step in the right direction.

There are so many things to care about. We need people working for abortion access and trans rights, supporting victims of war, blocking pipelines, campaigning for safe injection sites, and so much more. We can’t be 100% dedicated to all of the causes we care about.

We shouldn’t need to be fashion industry scholars to avoid slave labour and devastating environmental damage. It shouldn’t be an option.