Hey guys! It has been a while since I’ve made a blog post, and while I feel like now is not the time to be promoting my own content, I feel like making this post is important to inform everyone on how to shop ethically and to stop feeding into racial oppression caused by the fast fashion industry. I have been kind of quiet with my own thoughts on the harsh realities and changes in this world because I feel like I do not have the right experience or knowledge to inform people. However, I AM educated and knowledgeable in the realm of fashion and would like to educate y’all on what actually happens behind the scenes in the garment construction industry.
I have spoken numerous times on how evil fast fashion is and how it is a cesspool of poor sustainability, worker exploitation, and feeds into the raw evils of capitalism, but I would like to go more into depth on how the industry affects people of color around the world.
For many developing nations, the garment industry is the main trade citizens work straight into. The working conditions are poor, but it is all those folks know. Many factory workers in newly developing nations make about $100 USD a MONTH from their sweatshop jobs. And the sad fact is most of the groups who are part of this system are people of color. Systemic racial oppression runs deep in the fashion industry and it is so dirty.
Buying into fast fashion just keeps these forms of business alive and keeps these groups oppressed. If you would like to stop contributing to global racial oppression and choke out these industries that exploit workers, stop shopping from fast fashion companies. Here are some examples with links on fast fashion’s dirty laundry:
Bangladesh is one of the worst nations for worker conditions in the garment industry. But this is all the citizens know. They work countless hours for minimal pay and minimal housing, and this is normal for them. Fast fashion companies take advantage of citizens in nations like Bangladesh because the labor is cheap, thus making the garments cheap, which makes customers consume more, which gives the companies who are oppressing these workers even more money. It is imperative you read this article, even if it is the only article you read out of this blog.
Seeing through transparency: H&M is being transparent about where garments are made, assuming that is enough. Yet most garments are made in Dhaka, Bangladesh, one of the worst places for factory conditions and workers. Is transparency the same as being ethically sound? Click here for the article describing H&M’s “transparency” on garment production as part of their movement towards sustainability. The fact that their garments are mostly sourced from the country with the worst factory conditions for workers is masked by them being “transparent”. Don’t let this fool you.
This article explains how US garment workers are being paid $4/hour for Forever 21. This is right in our own backyard! A lot of US sweatshops go under the radar by the FDA, and these shops exploit undocumented immigrants.
On top of Forever 21, Fashion Nova also exploits immigrant workers in sweatshops in LA. Click here for that article.
Besides exploiting garment factory workers, Zara has been under fire for being racially insensitive with their products and also with their personnel, company, and employees. Here is that article.
And Dollskill? Don’t even get me started. If you are unaware of their numerous offenses, a quick google search will give you a nice list on why to not support them.
Just remember, if a garment is a “good deal”, or “cheap”, think of the true cost it took to make it. Speaking of the true cost, The True Cost documentary about exploitation of factory workers is currently streaming on Tubi. Please check it out.
Please be thoughtful about how you shop. If you are looking for change in this world, a good place to start is your own closet and wallet.
Thanks for reading!
Lorraine