Whether you celebrate Christmas for religious purposes, for a break or to take time to spend with the family, the same atmosphere recurs. It is an atmosphere of indulgence in receipts of gifts and immense amount of food consumed.
In A Christmas Carol' the character 'Ebenezer Scrooge' is Charles Dickens' symbol of a miserly, selfish and mean person who does not believes in charity or a fair distribution of wealth in the society he lived in. All of which, I believe can be reflected into our contemporary world. And I am certainly pointing out how our society, especially around Christmas contributes to being a big fat... scrooge.
The sad structure of our society is based on consuming, consuming and consuming and in Christmas time, more so than ever. We give each other cards and presents to show our love to each other, also because that is the norm. If we take a look at the reality behind our never-ending consumption around Christmas, we see the sheer exploitation of the poorest people in the society by the richest ones. For our indulging Christmas shopping, we're visiting high street shops and wearing our favourite labels from Topshop/ Topman, M&S, Next and more.
In the meantime, among many, the Arcadia group (owners of most high street shops from Topshop to Evans) are consistently involved in the oppression and exploitation of the poorest across the world, even in the UK. From paying their workers in many developing countries pennies per hour to working in appalling conditions and illegal wages (half of minimum wage) in Leicester, UK.
Aside to the meagre workers rights and welfare the Arcadia group contributes to what I believe as modern slavery. Our beloved brands and high street shops are also investing into raping the environment and oppressing those who stand against them. Company brands ranging from Coca-Cola to KFC have their profits invested through in water pollution, destroying forest areas and more. Our high street companies and favourite brands are also known to be involved in bribery and corruption so that local democracy in many countries fail. Hence, the voices of the powerless and weak are never considered.
The alternative to this vicious circle, as is depicted in Dickens' novel are characters the Christmas 'ghosts' showing the real face of what Christmas is - exploitation, materialistic consumption and poverty - The ingredients that benefit those like Philip Green, the CEO of the Arcadia group into piling profits out of the destruction of the environment and impoverishing the impoverished.
Is it our fault that such likes thrive in bringing 'modern slavery' about - as we buy what they are selling? Or is it that such likes, contrary to individuals in society are deeply involved in shaping the rules to how society works?
For example, Philip Green is currently involved with Conservative Party's David Cameron as adviser to implementing cuts in the services such as local councils, libraries, hospitals,etc. Hence leading to massive job losses and when he calls ' Efficiency Review'. Impoverishing the poor is efficient??
Our actions such as buying into their products strengthen such companies in playing the ironical part of ruining our own lives. Is it time to give such companies and individuals a vote of no confidence? Yes.
But how, do we give up on shopping for clothes, feeding our families and having our homes heated?
We can pledge to shop elsewhere and do so loudly. We draft an emails, letters and phone calls to companies telling them we're shopping elsewhere as they are scrooging on our society. We support those voicing out against companies, we demand change in the legislations new regulations and defy politicians making wrong decisions. We will march on the streets and to politicians and we will join those of the likes of UKUncut, unify civic groups and call for change and if denied we will and must shut down the shops.
And they will turn around - because they need the profits.
Sources:
http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/campaigns/item/901-uksweatshophttp://www.waronwant.org/news/262-general-news/15153-coca-cola-drinking-the-world-dry
http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/731169/Topshop-faces-accusations-using-sweatshop-labour/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-2104055-topshop-scandal-east-end-sweatshops-exposed.do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Green
http://www.corporation-free.org/why.html
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-2104055-topshop-scandal-east-end-sweatshops-exposed.do
http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/corporations-and-conflict
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/gap-next-marks-spencer-sweatshops
No comments:
Post a Comment