Julie Clawson

I mentioned in my last post that I am uncomfortable with the anti-globalization streams of social justice. These streams are so prevalent that many assume that unless one is ultra-pro-free-market capitalism, then one is by default anti-globalization. I personally think both extremes are flawed and fail to promote a compassionate worldview (not like most economists care about that anyway…). So to give a really short rationale for a really complex issue…

The anti-globalization argument generally points to the horrors in our global economy – sweatshops, slavery, environmental destruction – and proposes that if we just didn’t have a global economy then they would just all go away. Under the guise of “stop shopping” or “buy local” or “make something,” the mantra becomes – “boycott China, buy American.” Now I’m all for buying local and supporting small businesses. There are distinct benefits to doing so – like reducing fuel usage in shipping. But all too often these tendencies reveal a self-centered stance that places American interests before the interests of others.

I don’t see the solution to problems in the global economy as just doing away with the global economy. Like it or not we live in a global economy and that can never be undone. Organizations like the world Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund have pushed industry onto developing countries around the world. These countries can’t go back to their pre-industrial days nor do they have the option of organic development. They have been exploited through colonialism, pushed into industrial systems not of their making, and forced to abandon ancient practices. There is no going back. So to naively promote the idea of abandoning global industry in favor of only buying American is to wish a death sentence onto these countries. Abandoning them in the midst of a chaos of our making would destroy them. (apologizing and atoning for our sins is another issue entirely). In the business world national borders are losing significance quickly. To be so pro-America that our jobs and our economy matters more than every other person on this globe is inexcusable selfishness.

When faced with difficult issues, greedy businesses, and exploited people the solution is never to abandon the victims so that they get hurt more. All too often though this is the path that’s taken. A major company gets found out for using sweatshops so they respond by shutting the sweatshop down. Or someone hears about sweatshops, thinks such problems can never be solved and refuses to participate in the economic system altogether. Both approaches deny the reality of globalization and ignore the needs of the people. The point isn’t to take jobs away from people, but to improve the jobs they have. There are options besides exploiting/oppressing people and getting rid of their job. It may take some creativity and sacrifice (on our part), but reform is possible.

So I am really sick of the “let’s subvert the global economy” when that just means pretending it doesn’t exist and screwing the poor even further. As Christians we are called to love others and to care for the poor. We can’t settle for the popular options of letting them remain in hardship or causing them more hardship. Globalization exists and we have to deal with it. Preferably in ways that honor God and not just ourselves.

If you haven’t noticed recently it’s become really popular in emerging/missional/alternative church circles to to promote the whole Buy Nothing/Make Something Day. For the uninitiated, Buy Nothing Day is an alternative option to the shop on Black Friday hysteria that grips the nations every year. The idea is that one would opt out of this consumeristic ritual in hopes that this will encourage people to consume and waste less the entire season (and not just postpone their shopping). Others though move beyond the negative stance of Buy Nothing Day and propose Make Something Day. The idea is to still encourage gift giving, but to avoid buying new things and make handmade gifts instead.

On one hand, I like the idea. We are a culture obsessed with the new, constantly seeking more. Most people would rather buy say a whole new shirt than take the time to replace a missing button on an old one, much less make an entire gift. We as a culture have lost touch with the basics and instead support consumer practices that are destroying the environment and enslaving the poor. It is a broken system that needs healing. Make Something Day is a creative alternative to subvert the way things are in the world.

But I have a few problems with it (here’s where I get in trouble).

First – it doesn’t actually achieve its goals. Just because someone choose to make something doesn’t make them any less of a consumer. Most homemade gifts are not made from scratch. That yarn, or fabric, or beading, or rick-rack, or cookie dough, or whatever came from somewhere. Often the same sweatshop using corporate entities people are trying to sidestep in the first place. And as a crafter I have to come clean and say that crafting is just another way of consuming more – lots more. I have boxes and boxes of craft supplies in the attic. I have friends whose entire basements are filled with crafting stuff. I even had a friend in high school whose house’s second floor started to collapse because of the weight of the material from his mom’s quilting habit. Be it at JoAnn’s, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby crafting for handmade gifts is consumption plain and simple.

Second – if the idea is to produce less waste, why create useless crap that people feel obligated to keep because it is handmade? I’m pointing all fingers at myself on this one. I spent all morning making Christmas gifts with a super excited Emma who was extremely proud to tell me who was getting each particular gift (family members watch out!). I have a craft business, an Etsy storefront (shameless plug moment), and do the craft fair circuit. That being the case I would far rather give (and receive) something needed or desired than a handmade something just for the sake of something. I admit, I’m not a sentimental person. I’m not the type to keep a technicolor itchy afghan my grandmother knitted just because my grandmother knitted it. Call me heartless, but that’s the way it is. I described my gift giving rationale last year. Basically I try to shop for that which is wanted/needed – not making something, or buying something (even fair trade or organic somethings) just because. I’m a huge fan of wishlists in that regard. If someone wants a quilt, I’ll make it, but I’d rather give them a book (used is just fine) if that’s what they want. And if that book is insanely discounted on Black Friday, well, you get the picture.

Third – I am uncomfortable with the whole “make something to subvert the global economy” idea when avoiding the global economy is the driving force. I am all for economic justice and supporting local businesses, but that does not mean that I want to propmote a “me/America first” mentality that abandons the poor around the world. I am not anti-globalization – seeking justice that sacrifices the poor is not just. I’ll write more on this soon, but let’s just say that I am uneasy with underlying assumptions put forth connected to Make Something Day.

So these thoughts have been bugging me recently with every new reminder I get about Make Something Day. I like it and I don’t like it. If it works for you, really works for you, great. But I’m uncomfortable with it being the only “just” alternative out there. Once again this year I won’t be shopping on Black Friday, but I doubt I’ll be making anything either. I’ll be at the family ranch hiking, chatting with my Grandmother, drinking way too much wine, playing dominoes and scrabble, and smoking insane amounts of meat in the outdoor oven. It will be fun.