On 3/6/09 at 2:33AM Re: Karma, and Six Dollar Tri-Blend zhozhi wrote:
you know, i ALWAYS admire your thrift, cheap jap, and i definitely don’t admire AA’s prices (nor dov charney’s), but i do appreciate american apparel’s fair labor standards, which undoubtedly are not shared by target. just something to put out there, though i know from experience that even expert thrifters can’t always avoid retail (especially for the basics).
Firstly, many thanks to zhozhi and to all those who echoed her concerns regarding Target’s ghastly labor (and, as it turns out, environmental) standards. When something like six dollar tri-blend tanks come along, it’s all-too-convenient to forget WHY they’re so effing cheap. Ignorance is bliss, so if you’d like to continue shopping at Target guilt-free, stop reading this post NOW.
I’m of the mind that a smart shopper understands that ‘cost’ applies to more than a pricetag: If you’re on board with that, take a look at Target’s Responsible Shopper Profile and allow yourself a big fat fucking OY VEY.
Target is the subject of repeated allegations of sweatshop sourcing worldwide.
Target was fined by the EPA for failing to disclose the percentage of pesticides in its products.
The NAACP gave Target an “F” for its lack of commitment to African Americans and other people of color.
So what’s your six bucks really paying for? Dire factory conditions, pesticide-related fines, and racist hiring practices. As is often the case with chains of this ilk, small pricetags have big environmental and ethical implications. And while it’s tough to avoid corporate clothing entirely – particularly in a recession – it’s still important to acknowledge that you’re paying for more than a cheap shirt. Not many can afford to always opt for American Apparel over Target, but those who can undoubtedly should.
I no longer feel fab about patronizing Target, but the lure of the Cheap is too powerful for me to say I’ll never do so again; I like to think that shopping American Apparel (and subsequently contributing to their more human and earth-friendly practices) evens things out. (For a study in balance, see this outfit – the skirt’s AA, the top’s Tar-jay, and the belt is a pair of old tights cut into strips and knotted end-to-end.)
Now obviously, the most responsible thing would be to stop shopping Target altogether because it’s bad for the world, and stop shopping American Apparel altogether because it’s bad for my checking account. Except for the Stop Shopping Altogether part. I’m a realist and a materialist, people. Saint Cheap JAP just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
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Yuck. Ignorance really IS bliss.
I have to say, given your arguments, I find it very difficult to justify shopping at American Apparel, for that matter. For one, Dov Charney’s attitudes towards women are not particularly better than Target’s discriminatory hiring practices. While I condone neither, I see no reason to pay extra for American Apparel so that Dov Charney can finance his sexual assault lawsuits.
Furthermore, the current obsession with responsible shopping is simply putting an artificial premium on organic materials and domestically produced goods. I just feel in “These Economic Times” that there are better ways of being socially and economically responsible than paying a premium for “going green”. For that matter, one should consider what one pays for when one buys forever 21 or counterfeit goods.
Oh, come on. If we’re going to play that game, how about the numerous sexual harassment suits against Dov Charney? How about the fact that AA is considered one of the absolute worst places for women to work in this country, thanks to the environment of sexual harassment created by Dov Charney?
I could probably find an argument against almost every company in existence. In the end, though, I’ll buy the Target t-shirts, because they’re cheaper, and they don’t profit that asshole, Dov Charney.
Points well taken. Our deep discount is based on someone else’s suffering. . .Ouch indeed.
It’s another reminder to buy good labels secondhand–they had fair labor practices to make the stuff expensively in the first place (I hope that Prada doesn’t have an Asian sweatshop!), and you get the bargain because you’re the second owner.
CJ! I bought these today, inspired by your posts (ethical dilemma aside). Unfortunately, I don’t know how to wear them without my D-cups spilling out. Can we get a tutorial? How are these supposed to be worn, they’re so low cut?
It’s like this…if we knew half the shit our favorite companies do we’d be turned off to EVERYTHING. If I had the means to buy my precious basics from say…Saks or Neiman Marcus by all means I’d be there bitches. Unfortunately I don’t see eliminating my bargain Tarjay basics from my wardrobe anytime soon. I’ll accept all donations from those insisting I shop for more expensive versions elsewhere…