Today a peer of mine gave a presentation on child slavery. She focused on 3 things.
- Chocolate production in Ghana and Ivory Coast
- Lithium/Cobalt mining in Africa.
- The clothing industry in Southeast Asia
She explained how corporations that are this massive should be doing something to stop this problem.
Of course it is wrong that people are exploited in such ways and it should be stopped, and getting mad at corporations for not doing as much as possible to end child slavery that fuels their corporations.
However, how many people that watch the documentary are actually going to stop eating chocolate, buying the newest phone or laptop, or stop buying new clothes frequently and not shop at second hand stores.
We want to blame the corporation for the terrible problem, but continue to buy the products we don't need that create the market for it.
I of course don't want these poor children to grow up with no education and live such horrid lifestyles, but I don't want to stop eating chocolate.
Is it unethical to keep indulging in these items as long as there is child slavery behind it?
Are you going to stop indulging in the consumerism of your 1st world country that exploits child slavery?
Isn't it easier to look the other way and forget about it?
How wrong is that?
Who is at most fault?
I would love your thoughts, comments, or other questions.