Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Mickey Z.'s Holiday Shopping Tip
Is there anyplace safe to shop besides thrift stores, which I do check out when I can? If I just need to have some new shirts for work, what you recommend I do? Is any choice for clothes these days just the lesser of several evils?
Posted by James on from New York 12/12 at 02:40 PMYou ask some good questions, James. Every time that I go shopping for an item, I wonder if the item was produced in a socially responsible manner. Of course, and in most cases, I have no definitve way of knowing that. But I am glad that I have the presence of mind to be mindful of that consideration. It’s a step in the right direction, I feel.
Along this same line, I am surprised to find that I am unable to find a website which lists socially responsible companies and manufacturers for me to intentionally seek out. I’m sure that there are some. I only wish that there could be a resource which identifies them.
And I like the idea of thrift stores because it supports the lifestyle of conserving the fullest value of our currently existing assets. Recycling can be practiced in practically every arena.
Posted by Nader Rider on from 12/12 at 03:07 PMQuick response...I’m running out the door to the Bolivia event.
I love thrift shops, yard sales, and swap parties...but when it comes to buying new goods, it can be extremely challenging. This site might help:
http://www.responsibleshopper.org/
Also, the National Labor Committee might be a good resource:
http://www.nlcnet.org/news/Posted by Mickey Z. on from 12/12 at 03:12 PMThanks a lot, those sites are really informative. And in the meantime, the Salvation Army on 8th Ave. in the 20s has some really cool stuff.
Posted by James on from New York 12/12 at 07:23 PMsalvation army’s got its own problems though. anti-gay, pro-domestic violence. there is a zine out there called “starvation army” which goes into everything.
i am thinking of collaberating with the NLC to compile a list of good and bad companies and distribute it in the form of a zinePosted by davidbilmas on from hartsdale, ny 12/12 at 10:29 PMSo true about Salvation Army. Street News did quite an expose a few years back.
I look forward to that list, David.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from 12/12 at 10:32 PMSo will I, David. Boy, was I thrown for a loop by some of the facts in http://www.responsibleshopper.org too. I have a lot of reassessing to do this week re. some of the companies I deal with. I love this kind of info. Thanks.
Posted by Nader Rider on from 12/12 at 10:42 PMi wrote eastern mountain sports last week because i found a thermal in a drawer that was made in the usa, but since it’s several years old i was curious if their labour practices have at all changed. i was assured that while they now produce and buy products produced overseas, they have consultants inspecting all factories. i looked into it, though, and realized that north face, owned by espirit, is produced at 13 cents per hour for 93 hours a week with no benefits. i’m waiting back on a response. i’ll keep everybody who is interested updated on this one.
Posted by davidbilmas on from hartsdale, ny 12/12 at 10:45 PMThat’s really upsetting about the Salvation Army. I’d heard something awhile ago about discriminatory hiring policies towards gays, but how does a company be ‘pro-domestic violence’? I tried to find info on ‘starvation army’ but nothing yet. Luckily in NYC we’re not quite out of luck with other thrift shops. I’m guessing that if Mickey spoke at Housing Works awhile back then they’re reliable? Though not as great a selection of inexpensive clothes as the SA.
Posted by James on from New York 12/13 at 12:50 AMthey have a reputation of asking battered women to stay with their husbands for the sake of the children.
microcosmpublishing used to have starvation army but they are sold out. i will keep an eye out.Posted by davidbilmas on from hartsdale, ny 12/13 at 01:07 AMThanks David; nothing turned up online about starvation army. At least we have the MZ apparel line to turn to!
Posted by James on from New York 12/13 at 01:22 AM
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