So I never, ever imagined I would blog…about anything. However, I feel compelled/called/convicted or whatever “c” word you want to use to explain this God-given urge to provide some sort of resource to those who are wanting to spend their money in ways that support human rights and avoid the evils of sweatshops, destruction of the earth, and taking advantage of the poor. (I have found that human rights and environmental responsibility seem to go hand-in-hand. i.e. A product that is 100% organic cotton was most likely produced in an ethical way.) My intention is for this to be a go-to resource when shopping, rather than a soapbox full of complaints without any suggestions for improvements.
It seems to me that there are two main objections to buying ethically. First, ethically produced goods are typically more expensive. We are a single-income family so I am very sympathetic to needing to stay on budget. My goal is to provide buying options that won’t break the bank and also to suggest fighting the American mindset of constant consumerism. Our family has found that second-hand goods and a few high-quality items for special occasions have been a huge blessing.
Second, it is overwhelming to attempt to research every item purchased on a daily basis, especially because sometimes even things labeled as fair trade may not actually be so and vice versa, particularly for small companies without the resources for certification even if they have ethical business practices. Hence, my husband suggested I call this blog “Imperfect Progress” since this is an attempt to improve buying practices, even if there still remains room for improvement. Though it can be debated who is to blame…big companies making money without concerning themselves with the means, or the American consumer demanding luxury goods for big box prices…everyone knows that “money talks” so my hope is that being a conscientious consumer will help bring about change.
Imperfect Progress: A Seasonal Guide to Buying Ethically 