Principles and Pocketbooks

Today, I read an article, How many U.S. schoolchildren will learn that 14 U.S. presidents trafficked and enslave people for profit?, that got me thinking. As I read the article, it became apparent to me that many of the Presidents mentioned in the article displayed a behavior that is still with us today: “I have Principles. Until I have to pay for them.”

Frankly, everyone I know displays this behavior, myself included.

I abhor unfair labor practices and believe that everyone deserves the dignity of a job that pays a living wage, but I shop at Walmart and eat at fast-food restaurants.

I know, based on scientific evidence, that Climate Change is real and most likely driven by human behavior, including carbon pollution, but I still drive a gas-fueled car and use an air conditioner in the summer.

I know that our food chain depends on the labor of people who are exploited and severely underpaid, but I continue to buy cheap food and produce, because I can stretch my small food budget farther.

I know that the inexpensive production of meat, eggs, and dairy products depend on inhumane, cruel and unhealthful farming practices, but I don’t buy local, humanely-raised and slaughtered meat, eggs, and dairy products.

I know that the pharmaceutical industry preys on the desperate and dying, charging thousands of dollars for relatively inexpensive life-saving medications and making research decisions based on possible profit, not the needs of the ill, but I still buy my prescriptions and support this corrupt industry.

I know that China is one of the leading nations in pollution, but I still buy products from China.

The truth is, when living on the margins (a fancy way of saying I am genuinely POOR), sometimes principles have to yield to the pocketbook.

But I don’t try to hide from reality, or pretend that I am not a hypocrite.

And there are some areas where principles can triumph over the pocketbook.

For me, that area is clothes. I know that most clothing is produced in factories staffed by exploited and under-paid laborers who are forced to work in unsafe conditions. Because of this, I do not buy new clothes. I am 1.5 years into this resolution, and I have suffered no lack. I buy clothes on the second-hand market and alter them as needed, I make new clothes myself, I repair what I already own. So far, my decision has been good for both my principles and my pocketbook.

Nonetheless, I am saddened by the fact that I simply can’t afford to correct all my behavior in this way.

Happily, I will be planting a garden again this year, and so will be able to depend less on food produced via the exploitation of the vulnerable. I also hope to add chickens to my life this year. Not sure if that will work out, but we’ll see.

My recent projects

Well, now that the Solstice gifts have all been given, I can finally show you what I’ve been up to for the past few months! This year, I went all hand-made for my gifts to those family members who celebrate the season. And here they are!

This hat and neck-warmer set was a gift for a woman who likes bright colors and whimsical things. I believe this was the 3rd hat I made, and I followed the pattern pretty faithfully.

This hat and scarf set was given to my brother-in-law. It’s the first gift I’ve given him – acknowledgement that he’s here to stay, and not so bad. Still following the hat pattern pretty closely…

This set went to Niece #1 – Purple is her favorite color. I’ve left patterns far behind at this point, and the hat is my first attempt at my own design. I’m now making textile art!

This set went to my nephew – orange and brown are some of his favorite colors right now. The hat is my own design, showing off my newly-learned ability to switch colors without fastening off. All the scarves are my own “designs” as well, and I’m especially pleased with how this one turned out.

This set went to Niece # 2. I call it the Lollipop set, because the medallions in the scarf look like lollipops. All my own design, including the flowers. Everyone who saw this set loved it, and I will probably make more of these scarves in the future.

This hat went to my sister. I have a similar hat in different colors, and she liked it, so I made her one. This is my own design and wears really nicely. I’ve made three hats in this design and will probably make many more.

So there’s a quick sampling of what I’ve been making lately.