Opinionated isn't negative

a Guest Column

by Mike Pesa

The other day I was talking to some guy about sweatshops. I told him about the horrific conditions many workers live in, the starvation wages they are forced to accept and the intense fear that permeates their lives and prevents them from standing up for themselves. Then I told him what my organization, Coalition for a Humane And New Global Economy, better known as CHANGE, was doing about it. I told him that we were working with the administration to get Kent State to develop a code of conduct for clothing with the Kent State logo. When I finished talking, he gave me a look of contempt and said, "You sure are opinionated."

After thinking about this incident, I realized just how widespread the disease of apathy is in our country, and especially at Kent State. How messed up is our society when the word "opinionated" has a negative connotation? Obviously, we all have opinions. We know what bands we like, what kinds of clothes we find attractive, what habits really get on our nerves, etc.; but why is it that when it comes to ending suffering and oppression, the most opinionated thing most people do is maybe put some change in the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas time?

I, like the other members and supporters of CHANGE, am opinionated. I am of the opinion that workers should be free from all forced overtime, harassment, abuse and discrimination. I am of the opinion that workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment. I am of the opinion that workers have the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. I am of the opinion that workers must be paid a living wage that allows them to meet the basic needs of life.

Furthermore, I am of the opinion that we, the students, faculty, staff, administration and friends of Kent State, have the right and the obligation to know that our Kent State apparel is not made in cruel and unfair conditions. By developing a code of conduct that states the above opinions, Kent State can take a stand against sweatshops without boycotting any companies, raising prices or hindering the economy. We can, and must, also enforce this code, or it will be meaningless. One way to do this is by joining an independent monitoring organization. It is CHANGE's opinion that the best monitoring organization is the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC). Unlike the Fair Labor Association (FLA), it has no ties to government or corporations. It is completely non-profit and has a fully accredited monitoring system that, unlike the FLA, interviews workers anonymously and away from the factory where they are free to speak without reprisal. The WRC also makes occasional surprise inspections instead of scheduling in advance and letting the corporations decide which factories will be open to inspection, as the FLA does.

If Kent State joined the growing number of universities involved in the WRC (most recently, Notre Dame announced that they are joining), they would be notified when a violation occurs in a factory that manufactures Kent State products. This would empower the university to put pressure on the corporations it buys from to change that practice.

I hope it has become clear that these opinions of human rights are values that we all should share. Please support the Campaign for a Sweat-Free Kent State by signing our code of conduct petition. We have already gathered over 1,000 signatures of students, faculty, and staff. Is yours among them? We will be on the second floor of the Student Center all week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also get a petition from Assistant professor Patrick Coy in the Political Science department or from one of us at our weekly meeting. For more information, please visit us online at www.kentchange.org and check out the WRC at www.workersrights.org

And remember, opinion is the cornerstone of democracy. Apathy can only lead to disempowerment and decline. Learn about issues, look at all sides of the argument, use logic, use reason, don't follow anyone. But for humanity's sake, GET OPINIONATED!

Mike Pesa is a freshman history major and a guest columnist for the Daily Kent Stater.