Day Without a Gay & Money
I'm at work today feeling guilty because I didn't call in "gay." It's not because I don't believe in it, but I have a bunch of projects going that have to be done this week and I've no other time to do them.
I wimped out. I admit it. Some of the money I make today will go to support the gay marriage movement.
Meanwhile, many people have written about the importance of recognizing the value of the GLBTQ community in our society and the impacts of a consumer boycott. That being said, the best thing I can add to the discussion is my rap on spending money.
Money is very powerful when used wisely. Every day I work hard for my money and every day I try as best I can to spend it in ways that create the world the way I want it to exist. The world I want treats everyone as equals, protects all people in the workplace, treats this planet as if it's our most valuable resource (it is), and stands up for equal rights and social justice.
99% of my grocery money is spent at People's Co-op in Ocean Beach. Fair trade, locally grown, non-GMO labels, cooperative. If they sell it, I have faith that the cows have time to play in the pasture, the earth was respected and the people paid a just wage in their communities if the product is marked as fair trade. They sell three types of bananas: Organic, Organic Fair Trade, and Commercial (what I call chemical bananas). I buy Organic Fair Trade whenever possible and support farming cooperatives in Central America. These farmers deserve what most Americans demand for themselves but fail to consider for other peoples.
I take most of my other dollars to local stores that share my values. It's easy really. I rarely shop at chains, I support my local businesses, I ask where my products came from and how were the workers treated.
Before the November election, I looked up business donors to No on Prop 8 and emailed them a thank you, letting them know I would support their business for their courage in doing the right thing. Money is speech that forces other people to walk the way you want them to. Use it wisely.
I wimped out. I admit it. Some of the money I make today will go to support the gay marriage movement.
Meanwhile, many people have written about the importance of recognizing the value of the GLBTQ community in our society and the impacts of a consumer boycott. That being said, the best thing I can add to the discussion is my rap on spending money.
Money is very powerful when used wisely. Every day I work hard for my money and every day I try as best I can to spend it in ways that create the world the way I want it to exist. The world I want treats everyone as equals, protects all people in the workplace, treats this planet as if it's our most valuable resource (it is), and stands up for equal rights and social justice.
99% of my grocery money is spent at People's Co-op in Ocean Beach. Fair trade, locally grown, non-GMO labels, cooperative. If they sell it, I have faith that the cows have time to play in the pasture, the earth was respected and the people paid a just wage in their communities if the product is marked as fair trade. They sell three types of bananas: Organic, Organic Fair Trade, and Commercial (what I call chemical bananas). I buy Organic Fair Trade whenever possible and support farming cooperatives in Central America. These farmers deserve what most Americans demand for themselves but fail to consider for other peoples.
I take most of my other dollars to local stores that share my values. It's easy really. I rarely shop at chains, I support my local businesses, I ask where my products came from and how were the workers treated.
Before the November election, I looked up business donors to No on Prop 8 and emailed them a thank you, letting them know I would support their business for their courage in doing the right thing. Money is speech that forces other people to walk the way you want them to. Use it wisely.
Labels: Activism
posted by Karin Zirk at
12:30 PM
2 Comments:
You rock. I wanna be like you when I grow up. (Maybe I should do that sooner rather than later)
you make it sound so easy.... I can do better. Thanks for posting. And mostly thanks for being my friend and showing me how to be a better person... xoxo
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