What’s even more important to me than my Hawkeyes?
Socially responsible consumer practices!
Tonight, I attended a skype session with two workers from the Alta Gracia apparel factory in the Dominican Republic. Alta Gracia is owned by Knights Apparel, one of the largest manufacturers of collegiate licensed clothing in the United States. What’s special about Alta Gracia, though, in addition to safe work conditions and reasonable hours, is that the factory pays its workers a “living wage,” an hourly amount calculated to actually provide them with enough money to feed their families and send their kids to school.
UI Students Against Sweatshops at the University of Iowa was actually hugely influential in the opening of this factory, which has only been around for a little more than a year. In that time, it has completely changed the lives of the workers as well as reviving an entire community that had been devastated by the loss of jobs that accompanied the closing of the previous factory. In order to keep Alta Gracia open and keep the town of Villa Altagracia from being plunged back into poverty, people need to spread the word about the choice of Sweatshop-free clothing, and march down to the University Book Store and buy some in order to send the message that UI students want to support companies with ethical business practices. The bookstore is even running a promotion April 13-17 offering a 25% discount on all Alta Gracia products.
I’m getting mine tomorrow. You should too!
Read more about the Alta Gracia project here, or check out this article from the New York Times. And seriously, go buy a shirt!
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stefferz posted this
