The Shein hauls on Tik Tok are never-ending. How is this so popular?
I know it’s not just ignorance. Most of the people I know seem to understand all the problems with fast-fashion and just don’t really think the effects because it’s an issue that is far away – all the damage is happening in other countries and we don’t see it so much in the US.
I have noticed a lot of social media hype about this issue lately to raise awareness and that’s a good start. More and more people are talking about making better choices and want to make conscious decisions to take care of the environment, which is a huge step in the right direction. I hear a lot from my friends about boycotting companies like Shein, H&M, and many other brands – but I know there needs to be more we can do to make a difference. Boycotting is something we can do on a very small scale – but there has to be more.
I wish there was a way to boycott with a voice – rather than just simply boycott a company in silence, how do we put a voice to our decision and let the companies know that we are boycotting (and why we are boycotting)?
We all know that purchasing clothing that is made in unsafe factory conditions supports exploitative practices and endangers workers’ lives. Fast-fashion clothing purchases are harmful to the disadvantaged workers in the clothing factories.
If we as consumers decide to boycott fast fashion to help factory workers this means that the workers would be hurt in the process so it’s probably not the ONE answer to support these fast fashion companies. Also, it doesn’t seem fair for us to simply boycott because it is kind of a silent act (nobody knows your reasons or intent except for you and whoever you explain it to). Companies do not hear your voice if you silently stop buying their products. Boycotting alone is a starting point – but the act alone moves too slowly and we end up just waiting for change.
Boycotts are one way to put pressure on companies to make changes. Some of my friends would support absolute boycotts as the best way to move forward, but it’s also important to raise consumer awareness, put more pressure on brands, unionize the workers, etc.
There is better potential for change that can be made with advocacy – if we combine boycotts with advocacy to help make meaningful improvements in the fashion industry. Boycotts and advocacy actions paired together can help send a message to companies that we will not stand for their unethical practices. Adding advocacy is a way to have a voice to say that the unethical practices are unacceptable and this will help motivate the company leaders to improve conditions so that they can keep their customers.
Check out the Clean Clothes Campaign for a good place to start. It’s really interesting to see what this group has done to give voices to factory workers and make changes for good in the world of fast-fashion.
