According to my
Facebook newsfeed at least, today is Chocolate Day! I don't know about you all,
but I LOVE chocolate! While milk chocolate and white chocolate (yes I know
white chocolate is not really chocolate)
have always been my favorites, as I have matured over the years I have grown a
deep love and appreciation for the much richer (and arguably healthier) dark
chocolate. I have a weakness for the candy isle and especially for chocolate
pies and cookies as I walk through the grocery store, and it is indeed rare if
something of the chocolate variety doesn't find its way into my cart. My
chocolate addiction comes at a cost, however, and I have come to learn that it
is much bigger than just the cost of my waistline.
In America, we often
see a product on the shelves and do not think about what goes into it. That is
what happens in a consumer driven society. We are blinded by large companies
creative and tantalizing advertising campaigns with their catchy slogans and
eye catching packaging. What we don't see are the deplorable practices behind
the products.
You see, most of the
world's cocoa is produced in some of the poorest countries in the world.
Companies seek out the cheapest price and so large farmers compete to underbid
one another. Unfortunately, the only way they can do that is to use slave and
child labor to work their fields, while large corporations turn a blind eye. It
is a sad, but true fact that every time you and I grab a candy bar at the
checkout counter we are supporting these outrageous practices in poor countries
in Africa and other parts of the world.
Fortunately, there
are alternatives. The Baptist Fair Trade project, among other faith groups
dedicated to improving the lives of farmers and their families seek to make a
difference. Through partnering with Equal Exchange groups can promote products
that are not only good quality, but also help small farmers by paying a fair
price for the products produced, illuminating the need for slave and child
labor. These groups also lead in educating consumers on fair trade products.
We just celebrated
the Forth of July here in the US, so for many the words, "Liberty and
Justice for ALL," are fresh in our minds. Think about who "all"
should include. Does that justice apply only to the privileged who live in this
country? The biblical understanding of the word justice is about doing what is
right by other people. It is about caring for the orphan and the widow and the
underprivileged and outcasts of society. Making just choices should include
making the choice to end slavery, child labor, and oppression. For us, that may
mean indulging in a little more chocolate today. Here is a link to get you
started!
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