Turns Out 'FairTrade' Harms Not Helps

Posted by khalling 10 years, 11 months ago to Culture
9 comments | Share | Flag

From our medical thriller, "Pendulum of Justice,"
"It was dusk as he headed over to the Great Smoky National Park on US 441. The air was biting at his skin and his fingers were numb. By the time he reached the town of Cherokee, he could barely feel his fingers. He stopped at Tribal Grounds Coffee and ordered a hot chocolate from a girl with dark black hair, who seemed indifferent to his presence. It was a New-Age place that served overpriced coffee to Americans who had guilty consciences about living in a wealthy country. A sign prominently announced that all of their coffees were organic, ‘fair trade’ coffees."


All Comments

  • Posted by 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The first draft is completed. We need to put it down for a month to clear our heads then we will come back to it. Hank's in charge and gettin even!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by kathywiso 10 years, 11 months ago
    Wow, great reference in your book Kh. It sure spells it all out. Curious, when can we expect the second one to be published..can't wait.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am trying to imagine a Starbucks without the fairtrade image. It is also part of the justification for premium prices. I hope more journalists pick up the story
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by richrobinson 10 years, 11 months ago
    The Guardian argues to reform rather scrap it. Why is it so hard for some to admit programs like this fail. How many agencies and programs do we have that have not done what they were meant to but go on and on.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I think it is brilliant marketing. Regardless of the intentions, just like so much aid going to Africa, in the end systems break down where natural rights are not protected
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden due to member score or comment score too low. View Comment
  • Posted by Maphesdus 10 years, 11 months ago
    Wow, that's pretty crazy. I wonder, are the people who are in charge of the whole fair trade thing doing it on purpose and then misleading the public about the effects? I wouldn't be surprised if they were...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 10 years, 11 months ago
    The "Fairtrade charter" doesn't sound very fair. Just one more means to keep some on the plantation...
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo