I have a lot of peeves. Really. Ask anyone who has had a conversation with me, there are usually certain things that just bug me. It's hard to pinpoint them all the time, because usually they just occur and all of a sudden I'll realize how much it bugs me, and I'll proceed to bitch about it. The ironic thing about 75% of the things that I complain about on a regular basis is that I'm guilty of them. I don't like it when kids in my youth group just put their headphones in when I'm trying to have a conversation with them. However, whenever I travel anywhere with my family I have headphones in which requires my parents to repeat nearly everything that they say. Whoops. There are also some other things that I do that I hate when other people do, but naturally it is completely acceptable when I partake in these activities. For instance, people who are just "trendy" and "hip" kinda bother me. We get it, like you're super cool because you're fashionable and organic. While that is pretty annoying, what's worse is when things that are used for social justice issues suddenly get thrusted in the spotlight and lose their purpose for being considered trendy or hip.
What happens here is that an organization will have a great product to either benefit those in need or to spread awareness. Word spreads, as it should, but before you know it word has been passed on that the entire purpose of the product is lost.
An example of this is the organization To Write Love on Her Arms. (info on TWLOHA can be found here) The organization started out to help fund the rehabilitation costs for Renee Yohe. T-shirts with her story and the logo "To Write Love on Her Arms" were sold and her story became known all over the country and then the world. Once Renee had overcome her addictions the organization focused on spreading awareness for depression, and mental health issues. Speaking tours and concerts were held and those who supported the cause attended. Different shirts came out and continued to sell. Selling these shirts online was not good enough, and the shirts began to sell in stores such as Hot Topic or Zumiez. Suddenly, the purpose of the shirts and the activism for the cause began to fall short. I wore a short one time and someone came up to me and said "man, I love that band". Hmm...
A current item that people all over the world are loving are the popular shoes TOMS. (info on TOMS can be found here) These shoes were created to provide shoes for a child in need. Every pair of TOMS bought will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. It's an awesome organization. However, the "cuteness" of their shoes made them little more than the latest fashion must have. Even so that designers have copied their style to only benefit them and not children in need.
Now, don't get me wrong...it's great that these organizations are gaining momentum and spreading the word on issues like mental health and poverty. However, what happens when they go out of style? Where is the momentum going to be then? Every trend eventually ends. Social justice issues should not be used just as the latest trend or this years "in" item. These organizations are fighting real issues. There needs to be more information provided on these issues when they're sold, so those who purchase them know exactly what the issues are and how they can further help the cause other than buying a cute t-shirt or a trendy pair of shoes.
Look at the (RED) campaign that was sponsored by the Gap to help those affected by AIDS in Africa. After the products they were selling became less trendy, everyone lost interest. While organizations still promote the (RED) campaign in different ways, it is not nearly as talked about, and do not care nearly as much as they used to.
Of course, like all things that I dislike or complain about. I am guilty of this. I'm passionate about several social justice issues, but usually it is because something trendy came out that brought my attention to it. I own several TWLOHA shirts, a pair of TOMS, a sweatshirt and watch from HelloSomebody (http://hello-somebody.com/), a beanie from Krochet Kids (http://www.krochetkids.org/), a few bracelets from some other places, and a bag or two from another place. All of the products I bought because they were trendy and it was an added bonus that they helped some other people. With the exception of TWLOHA I know very little about different organizations I have supported through my purchases. What does that make me? A monster? No, at least I don't think so. However, something else has to be done to bring further awareness and to continue supporting and fighting these issues, because those in need who rely on these organizations don't care about trendiness. They don't care that the product is in fashion around the world or not. They just need help, in any form.
