As the year is coming to a close, the nation is still feeling the economic squeeze. Unemployment is high, people are tired and becoming politically involved, and Europe is spiraling down into a financial disaster. Out of all of this, we question what we as individuals can do to help the situation. After all the business models currently in function, we always have to remember the dignity of the workers. That’s where our beloved bookstore comes into play, featuring the new brand Alta Gracia.

What is Alta Gracia? Alta Gracia is a project by the Knight’s Apparel, one of the largest college apparel suppliers, who decided to undertake the creation of the “model factory” based in social justice that would pay its workers a living wage, embrace a strong workers union, have safe factory conditions, and be monitored by the Workers’ Rights Consortium.

So how’s it possible for them to compete with other apparel giants like Nike? They change their corporate focus from all the advertising and endorsement deals to relying on the college students, faculty and administration who understand the impact that their choices as consumers can have on other people. Therefore, they choose the caring and socially responsible path of fair trade clothing. So far, Alta Gracia has been quite successful.

So what can you do? Start by joining Students for Social Justice this Friday Dec. 9th to completely buy out Alta Gracia from the bookstore along with numerous other students and faculty! Not only will  you be supporting the fair labor practices of the clothing industry, showing the administration that we are socially conscious individuals who care about the products we buy and their effect on others, but you can also buy yourself, your family and friends a gift for Christmas! Talk about killing three birds with one stone.

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