Modern Slavery: Part 1

by Ashli Arispe in Issues, July 15, 2009

First installment of a series about modern slavery.This installment is about the American sweatshops that still exist today.

The Clinton Administration had a public campaign against these conditions for all (immigrant or natural citizens) however his administration did not fully succeed in the eradication of these sweatshops. A groundbreaking documentary- Made in America reveals the struggles of three women who leave their children behind to come to American in hopes of providing better lives for their families. They are in turn worked to the bone and for nothing. The documentary also reveals the courage of these women to face the multimillion dollar company Forever 21 to gain their rights as workers. We are in a fashion driven world where shirts and purses can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. And for what- to be worn once, to be put into the closet next to all of the other hundreds of dollars outfits to collect dust? And all for the cost of people working 17 hour days for less than 9 cents an hour. We often complain about our minimum wage of $6.55 an hour-and we have laws and rights to protect us. These people do not have the laws and rights on their side-they are worked, they are underpaid, and they are abused. After learning this, I cannot help but become disgusted and pained by the displays of beautifully crafted expensive outfits framed in the store window.-They do not represent beauty, they represent those who were exploited in the crafting of every detail of that piece.