Aiding and abetting; it's a crime in most countries: Every time you purchase chocolate that isn't fair trade, you aid and abet people who commit the crime of stealing children and selling them into child slavery. Ignoring a crime; it's just the same as condoning it: When you savour a piece of chocolate that isn't fair trade, you're condoning child labour, human trafficking and lining criminal’s pockets.
As parents we decide what our children consume and who suffers because of our choice... Charity and good living habits begin in the home; all of our homes. We are all part of a global community and the choices we make affect the world we live in. You don't need to ban chocolate from your diet, however you can be a caring consumer and make ethically aware choices when deciding which brand to buy. There are even fair trade options for fund raising chocolates etc so encourage your children's schools and sports associations to be advocates for other children and choose these options.
Major corporations make billions of dollars each year thanks to the apathy and greed of consumers who do not hold them accountable and demand ethical sources for their products and fair trade practices. Why do they get away with it? Consumers continue to purchase their products without demanding a change in the status quo.
To my friends and family who think I am a pain in the arse regarding this topic; be warned, I have stepped up to being totally anal about it. Please do not offer my children any more chocolate that has been created by criminal acts against other children and their families. For the people turn a blind eye or think to themselves, "this doesn't concern me, it's not my children, she's nuts, she hates chocolate." Get real, how would you feel if it was your child who was kidnapped your child and sold into a life of slavery?
You may think it's harsh, however I mean it when I say, "I hope you choke on that chocolate." I simply can't understand how anyone can enjoy a product that is made at the expense of children's freedom, rights to education and sometimes their lives. Next time you buy chocolate think about the real price that has already been paid. When you bite into it; taste salt from the tears of a mother who has lost her child forever. Swallow the blood that runs in the fields from children who are whipped and beaten or lose their limbs and lives harvesting cocoa beans.
It is never too soon to start creating a world that you would want to live in!
© 2010 Luisa Foliaki – Proud Mumma of MicroMe & MissyMe
Further reading on this topic:
Global Guardians Chocolate Crimes – Luisa Foliaki
Slave Free Chocolate
Is There Slavery In Your Chocolate? - John Robbins
When People Eat Chocolate, They Are Eating My Flesh – Karlee Sapoznik
Cocoa Coffee And Child Slave Labour
Oxfam International
Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International
Tony's Chocolonely - We Dream Business
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