Purdue sit-in against sweatshops

[fatkidinabucket]

just about everyone commenting here disgusts me at their ignorance... you actually think these guys did this for fun?... like the Civil Rights activists of the 60s did it for fun? They did it just like my University of Montana did it, and I'm proud of them for wanting to bring about a change and to recognize worker's rights. What are you people doing in your communities to ensure that worker's rights are respected? They couldn't help that their administration is a bunch of right wing pigs!

[Jiffylust]

How cute they think they have perspective.

[NavigatinJ]

dam liberals . . how did they ever get into my conservative purdue?

[cubsrule4712]

I was in the Stewart Center the other day and man their stink from the hunger strike is still in there. Somehow the BO and pot smell from their hippie hair and clothes doesn't come out of granite.

[andrewsurtees]

if there's actually slavery going on, that's already internationally illegal and efforts are being made to stop it; if it's their choice, where's the problem?

[csaun9001]

What a complete waste of time. You accomplished NOTHING!!!!!!! I went to Purdue and you do not make me proud.

[JayD23Purdue]

Couldn't agree more... Great post!

[mattrmc19]

big surprise...prof. carroll just happened to be in the neighborhood and came to speak to the protesters. i'm sure she set the whole thing up,really. between her and harry targ i dunno if purdue has any crazier profs on campus.

[JeffSchoenle]

Hahahaha I go to Purdue, look at the rastas!!

[WhatIsDot]

"The usual channels weren't working."

What a bunch of dummies. I don't need to put a bike lock around my neck to schedule an appointment. They probably care more about the fact that they're protesting then actually accomplishing something.

"The Presidents not even here..."

Proves they don't know what they're doing!

[bbbumgarn]

I love how nobody on campus cared about this at all. When it was over, most people responded with "oh that was still going on?" Way to hold your ground Purdue.

[BillyBawb]

Let's boycott sweatshop goods so that these companies will start laying off people so they can go into farm jobs with even worse hours and lower pay. Great job, liberals.

[darky5k1987]

Well, it's still explotation. Like slavery. Why is it that whenever something bad is shown, the liberals are blamed?

[colonelcrisp]

who gives a damn?

[darky5k1987]

I don't get it, why are so many people here defending the sweatshops to start with? Many claim to be Christians, but then defend the richest people who abuse and use their people for profit. Doesn't that go against when Jesus said you can't have two masters? Why defend someone who doesn't give a shit about you and would use you too?

[ericandrewesq]

It's called the free market, and i don't want to pay more for my Purdue sweatshirts.

[darky5k1987]

Well, they could give jobs to people here in the US and use machines that actually work. People complain how immigrants take their jobs, there's an idea for you. Or don't buy Purdue, because it's not a necessity like food. You know, food, something those in sweatshops hardly get?

[ericandrewesq]

Workers here want too much money, so we give the job to those that want the job. If they don't like the pay or the working conditions, then they should not take the job or quit. The fact that their country is in the toilet is not and should not be my problem. I want a good quality product for the cheapest price, period. If the quality is bad, I won't buy it, but beyond that it is my concern. If you don't like the conditions don't buy the product, but don't screw it up for everyone else.

[darky5k1987]

Okay, then you can go work in a sweatshop, or send your kids then, because the fact remains that it's just like slavery. So how about you then, you rich? You're saying workers want too much, but you seem to forget that everyone has bills to pay. What's the point in working if you can't even pay for bills? Might as well sell drugs and get rich quick

[ericandrewesq]

No, I'm not rich, quite the opposite which is the reason I don't want to pay more for my stuff. My point is if you don't like the pay or the conditions, don't work there. "Workers here" referrs to legal workers here. If you are illegal and working, you assume the risk. If we are talking about workers overseas, then it is REALLY not my problem.

[darky5k1987]

They're still human beings. By paying for said items which are made on the pain of others, you're telling the owners it's okay. It's like buying drugs, you tell the dealers there's a demand for it. If you're not rich, I would assume you wouldn't want to be taken advantage of by your employer, right? It all boils down to humanity, and when the US goes into other countries because of "humanitarian" reasons, and we open our sweatshops overseas...bit hypocritical.

[ericandrewesq]

"Sweatshops overseas" translation: not my problem

[darky5k1987]

Oh yeah, and truth is, when you're in a sweatshop, it's for life. Either be there, starve without that bread loaf, or become a prostitute for the local dictator. Your choice

[ericandrewesq]

So your argument is that we should not buy from that factory, thereby shutting it down so then all the workers will have to go be prostitutes and dictators?

[darky5k1987]

No, my argument is if you're going to hire people, give them the equipment for it to be humane and safe. It's just like the beginning of the industrial era over there where employees get sick and die often and have no human rights. Personally, I have some ideas that could better the situation for all involved, but it would take more than 500 characters. I suppose I could break it up, though

[ericandrewesq]

If you don;t like the conditions there, get a different job.

[darky5k1987]

Didn't you read it when I told you you don't have a choice? Once you're there, they keep you there with violence. And people wonder why Americans are hated.

[darky5k1987]

And besides, a majority are small children, ranging from 4 to the teen years. A lot are taken there after being bought on the black market as slaves. It's not like getting a job at McDonalds here in the US

[aikiuke]

honest question and would like a semi polite answer [excuse my stupidity/ignorance]:

I agree sweatshops are terrible, but if say, a sweatshop goes out of buisness, where do the workers go?

[Miemets]

I go to PU, and I know some of these kids. To be honest, I don't think this was a good idea. Hunger-strike for sweatshops? We have bigger problems than sweatshops people! If you care about human rights, first protest more important things like the war, the hunger/AIDS in Africa.. At least sweatshops give some very poor people the opportunity to make money, maybe not much for US, but better than nothing in a 3rd world country.

[socraticpunk]

Yeah, but when the companies can afford to be paying more than what they do it's disgusting. They don't even pay people a living wage and could easily hire 100% more people rather than making there employees work for 16 hours a day. Stop sending the played out "why not something more important" statement, if we show companies that they can't exploit people then we show governments (where companies normally have a larger voice than an individual) they can't exploit people.

[socraticpunk]

Plus we do work on things other than sweatshops, it's called multi-tasking. I personally have donated to Darfur (through UNICEF) and Iraq (Iraq Freedom Congress), in addition to marching every chance I get.  So tell me, where were you?

[darky5k1987]

It's only enough money for a loaf of bread though. One thing you have to realize about these countries is most of them have an odious debt to us and Europe, which makes everything so high priced and people poor, since the governments have to pay these debts off to the world bank

[socraticpunk]

What I find funny is that most of the negative responses come from people who are probably Christian, the "triumphers of the poor." The hypocritical nature of this is amazing, a bunch of atheist commies do a better job of what you proclaim. Hypocrites. By the way, it's Purdue ALLIANCE of LIBERTARIAN Socialists (before stating anything about a contradiction in terms, look it up, it's a philosophy as old as Purdue itself).

[cubsrule4712]

Like it makes a difference what PALS stands for. Christians are not really triumphers(not really a word) of the the poor, but more people who respect people who overcome adversity. Instead of playing like we care about them we at least donate money and time helping them. Think of that the next time you are at Starbucks worrying about how you are going to piss of more people at Purdue by ruining their commencement.

[socraticpunk]

Well did you ever stop to think that we donate too? Ever hear of Food Not Bombs? Books to Prisoners? How about Fair Trade? Go on making assumptions, and ignoring your "holy" text that explicitly states you should live not for yourself but others. Guess what? JESUS WAS A SOCIALIST. And I don't give a damn whether it's a word or not, at least I can use "off" instead of "of" when need be.

[cubsrule4712]

If you make it that these workers are making our minimum wage it world destroy their economy since it would be no longer cheaper to make these clothes in their country, it would actually cost more since they would have to ship them over to the US. Also, just because Jesus dressed like you (aka like a bum) doesn't mean he was a socialist. My last statement is that you must realize that wars will always happen, people will be poor, and you will always look like you are too.

[socraticpunk]

We're not asking for "our minimum wage," maybe you can comprehend the idea of analyzing the cost of living in an area and then paying accordingly. It's not a hard concept. I'd personally like to see your financial status to note that you could afford to pay an extra dollar/t-shirt, and I'm sure you can. You just don't care because it's not you that's working in the sweatshops or someone you know, that's what this is all about right?  Selfishness.

[socraticpunk]

About Jebus, he definitely was a socialist, maybe you should actually read the bible rather than doing what mommy and daddy tell you. He said, and I quote, "sell everything you have and give to the poor(Mark 10:21)," "do not store up treasures for yourself on earth (Matt 6:19)," and I could go on and on. Sounds socialist to me.

[socraticpunk]

By the way, if Jesus was a socialist and you hate socialists, that means you hate Jesus which makes you the Anti-Christ. There will always be wars because you will always blindly support them, there will always be poor people because you will always support people who make them poor (look up colonialism), and I'd rather look like a bum than an arrogant asshole (who probably drinks Starbucks, which by the way I don't).

[BoilerByBlood]

Hahaha!!! I needed a laugh... thank you to the LOSERS in this video for supplying it!!!

[jvreagan]

Yet another reason I don't donate to my alma mater anymore. Why didn't the police charge these crimnals for the crimes they committed?

[arwyss]

stupid hippies... by the way, they also had a hunger strike during the winter. indoors, and they could have liquids... like milkshakes and whatnot. and they eventually stopped the hunger strike (just before break wouldnt u know it) and btw: jischke didnt change anything. he just said "screw you hippies" way to be martyJ

[allinforurass]

u dont know shit about purdue

[cubsrule4712]

These people are communists. Equality can never be obtained. Everyone is different. If you take away the jobs for the workers you will totally screw them and rais e prices for everyone else. I like the end with their "rally of supporters" that totalled about 30 people.

[allinforurass]

R u even in Purdue man.. fucking come to c how these kids and how they went hunger strike for better condition of poor sweatshop workers..whats up with communists got to do what that? u r fucking dumb u know that

[cubsrule4712]

I do go to Purdue, and most of the kids in POLE and PALS are communists. PALS stands for Purdue anti-liberal socialists I do believe. Socialists=communists. You are obviously a Liberal Arts major. You need to look at the economical aspects of this problem.

[Jezzer05]

I couldn't believe the nerve of these students they demanded to face no disciplinary actions after they broke into President Jischke's office. That's right, Jischke was not there when they let themselves in.

[luckytc81]

Good thing president Jischke refused these absurd and damaging socialist/antiglobalist demands despite the pressure due to a 27-day long hunger strike.

[luckytc81]

OK, sorry, maybe wrong word - not "absurd" but ill-informed. I know the intentions were right, but the protesters failed to see the bigger picture of the causes of poverty around the world.

[yakimicki]

"..making people pay like 50 dollars for a t-shirt". No the protesters aren't making you pay $50. The difference in pay between a sweatshop worker and one at a factory that pays a wage high enough to pay for the most basic food and housing NEEDs would amount to a $.25 per shirt difference. You are not willing to pay an extra 25 cents for a shirt to ensure that another real live human being can afford to eat a diet that will provide basic nutrition?

[luckytc81]

Start a charity and collect those 25c donations from whoever feels like they want to donate, instead of trying to violate freedom of enterprises by use of force. It seems to me that you are not recognizing the importance of profit in a free market in bringing investment to poor countries. It also seems to me that you are not recognizing the harsh realities of living in a poor country. You can't wave your magic wand and transfer wealth to whoever you please from "the rich".

[AuntNastyOven]

Charities are a waste of time and resources. Give a man a fish you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime. Charities only prolong the problem and dont fix it. Change has too happen where it can actually make a difference in the long run.

[luckytc81]

"You are not willing to pay an extra 25 cents for a shirt to ensure that another real live human being can afford to eat a diet that will provide basic nutrition?"

Maybe he is, maybe he's not. The way to donate is through charities, not through violating the freedom of a clothes business. Are you guys socialists? Do you think that company profits are bad? Smaller profits only lead to smaller investments in the business.

[theodinson11]

then you're making people pay like 50 dollars for a t-shirt. its not going to work.

[theodinson11]

don't sweatshop workers need jobs?

[eightbitriot]

It's not only about having a job though, it's about having a job where the voice of every worker is respected and heard. Where every worker is given the chance to earn what it is they need to <i>survive</i> and where every workers life is kept safe by working in safe and humane conditions.

[dishplacement]

I think everyone in the anti-sweatshop movement agrees that workers should have jobs. What we're advocating for isn't for these factories to close down. We're demanding that workers have power on the job so that they can correct the abuses the happen.

[luckytc81]

What you are trying to enforce on Purdue is different from what your stated goals are. Your DSP program doesn't give those workers better jobs.

[dishplacement]

it allows them to make their own jobs better.

[vpendse]

These guys seem like losers.

[Jannell]

i prefer a good pie to face. BSU!

[gorgias5]

on one level this is hilarious, and on another its despicable

[markmccormick]

alex you are such a stud, way to be man!!