The Seamy and Disturbing Flipside of Our Chocolate...

One way to help is to buy only free trade chocolate.

Do you mean "FAIR trade" chocolate? A few of the sites I checked draw a distinction between "free trade" and "fair trade".

Doc

The topic of child (and adult) slavery and human trafficking in Africa is a horrible and complicated situation. I can't imagine how the world can change what's been going on for -- well, forever I suspect. It's horrid that anyone lives that way in our modern world. But how do you change it? Stop buying chocolate. Stop buying diamonds (like I ever bought any to start with), stop buying anything with its origins in Africa or parts of SE Asia unless it's certified as slavery-free, free- trade and green. Still the abuse will continue until the last child has food every day in his/her own home, the last woman is free to settle her own life and choose her own economic way, the last man has a job that will support his family, in other words -- until hell freezes over. Am I cynical? Yes. Am I hopeful that any of this will change in my lifetime? Well, so far it seems to just shift from one place on the map to another and I'm pretty old so far. Do I believe we as individuals can do anything to affect real change? The answer ranges from 'not really' to 'only if you intend to go to Africa and spend your life working to right injustice.' I support KIVA with donations that turn into loans for people in areas of the world where small amounts of money can mean real change. One woman, one man, one child at a time. Maybe someday it will be better. Maybe. I think prayer is definitely called for.

Sunny

I'm always surprised how few people seem to know about things like these, even educated ones. Of course you can go by certificates, but one thing that should raise your suspicion is the price. If you buy a highly fashionable T-shirt for an incredibly low 'nice' price you can be sure that it was produced under not so nice conditions. As for chocolate - let's not forget that until some 60 years ago it was a luxury item, as was coffee, tea, butter and other desirable goods. Yes, I don't think that workers in the olden days were better off than today, but if the makers of chocolate can afford to lower prices significantly without going broke, it says a lot. Good work and fair trade has it price. And we should curb our little addiction (yes, I am addicted, too, I just meant to say that I gained my carefully designed shape not only by chocolate) for the benefit of those not so fortunate. I hope I didn't offend anybody, I'm just out of bed and my English hasn't begun to work properly yet. Please forgive any lack in politeness. ;-)

U.

Yup - fair trade it is! Thanks for catching my typo!

FWIW, if you're near a Ten Thousand Villages store you can get fair trade chocolate there. Plus lots of other interesting fair trade items.

Allison

Howdy!

Indeed:

R/Sandy

Can't eat it myself, but this is why, when I buy as gifts for friends, I like to look for the fair trade chocolate.

Monique in TX

That definition would also include the countless thousands who are brought into the US via "coyotes". I'm not making a judgment here - just interpreting the definition as given.

My point is, I have a hard time lumping Mexicans (I specify because they are the single largest group) and others (particularly adults) who come to the US for economic reasons, stay, and work and provide for their families (even sending $ome home in many cases) with children who are literally SOLD as chattel, and forced to work 16 hrs/ day against their will for NO wages, no education, medical care, and no prospect of freedom.

Can I change it? No. Do I have to condone/$upport it? Again, no.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I started this thread just to share info./ awareness. Q.E.D.

Doc

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