Quote:
Originally Posted by Clarkey
I hated this kind of crap in university.
Some people mean well but they just don't know any better.
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I will admit, that prior to university I was a slave to the brand world. Every single article of clothing, shoe, hat, skate... you name it, had to have a logo on it.
Then, I took Intro. into non-fiction my first year with an amazing prof who gave us Naomi Klein's "No Logo" to read... I have never been the same since. That book/class changed my life, seriously.
I have to believe that although black Friday was a huge success for corporations, that it would have been an even greater success had it not been for Buy Nothing Day supporters all around the globe. While maybe one or two people here or there aren't noticeable, on a macro level, even if there were 2000 people who didn't buy anthing, that is a dent... albeit small.
If you don't support or participate in the ideals behind Buy Nothing Day, that probably means that you are completely satisfied in the way not only capitalism and it's exploitive nature of the global south operate, but the entire way our society operates. You enjoy your mental environment being bombarded by advertisements during t.v. shows, hockey games, listening to the radio, driving in the car, riding the c-train etc... you enjoy the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, or the outsourcing of jobs to foreign markets to protect the bottom line - the almighty dollar. If there is not one reason that you can think of to boycott corporations for one single day, then I am envious of your ability to ignore the world's real problems.
In all honesty, I *accidentally* bought something on Buy Nothing Day
I didn't even realize I was doing it, and that's what scares me even more. It made me think, even though I was so adamant against buying anything, I still did it, which is a sign of how corporations are integrated into our society, and that's why they can continue to commit the atrocities that they do... because they can, and nobody is challenging this way of life.
I like my iPod, I like my laptop and all my other toys, but I like the piece of mind I have when I choose to buy made-in-Canada clothes, or that fair trade coffee. I am not suggesting everyone go out and join a monestary, I am simply trying to spread the word of mass consumption and the impacts that has on society. We can all make a difference if we want to.
(I accept this award as best drama female lead in a public forum... I would like to thank Adbusters who made Buy Nothing Day possible, my parents, Dr. Coates and his eye-opening class that was unexpected at Conservative UofC, Tommy Douglas, and of corse, President Bush - who has done more better for the Democrats than any Democrat could ever do...)
