Feminism VS Fashion
By Jo Lorenz
Call yourself a feminist? Then #WhoMadeYourClothes?
The 2018 Global Slavery Index report, published by the Minderoo Foundation, states that $127.7 billion worth of garments at risk of including modern slavery in their supply chain are imported each year by G20 countries. These countries account for approximately 80 percent of world trade — and these imports help to bankroll a global economy that traps 40.3 million people in modern slavery in 2016, 71 percent of whom were womxn (i.e. more than 28 million womxn).
So what does this all really mean? Well it means that if you do not know how, where and by whom your clothes were made, then you are very likely supporting modern slavery — 28 million womxn — with the purchase of your latest ‘this is what a feminist looks like’ t-shirt.
Let’s be real here. Feminism is not about choice — it’s about equality and responsibility:
If you choose to buy products that are made under conditions of modern slavery, then you are not a feminist. You are a hypocrite.
If you choose to belittle other womxn through your words and actions, that is not your feminist privilege — this is your white privilege
If you choose to cheat on your partner because of your own inadequacies, this is not your feminist right — your “right to choose” — that is your duplicitous dishonesty and selfishness.
The Suffragettes did not fight so you can flatly label your ‘ability to choose’ as the fundamentals of feminism. Your right to choose to do something which adversely affects other womxn — or anyone! — is simply a metaphorical blow job to the patriarchy.
If you choose to turn a blind eye to a system that incarcerates more than 28 million women worldwide, then sorry lady, but you don’t get to come to my feminist-party. However, if you choose to actively change your outlook and support ethical and sustainable manufacturing conditions, by advocating for change within the industry — then congratulations, the invitation is in the mail!
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