Renee and I watched this film. It moved us. It’s on Netflix. Now, before we buy something new to wear, we’re going to find out how and where it’s made. Because as this great film so well lays out, there’s big costs to cheap clothing.

If we need new socks, we’ll buy from this company. They’re right here in America, their socks are all made from organic cotton.

The Sock Queen of Alabama

If we’re going to buy something new, we’re committed to finding a company that’s here in America. Where Americans going to work each day — not to operate robots, to make stuff. If whatever we’re buying isn’t made here in America, by Americans, we don’t need it. If new clothing we’re buying isn’t made from organic cotton, we’re not buying it. Renee just scored some great stuff from a consignment store yesterday. She went with her two gal friends, they talked about stuff on the way. From now on, if the company we’re buying from can’t prove to us how their stuff is made, we’re not buying from them.

Here’s a letter I sent to Patagonia. It’s a little over the top, I agree. But the problems were facing are dire. I don’t care if I piss a few people off when I speak out and take action.

Howdy,

I have closets full of Patagonia.

I’ve decided that neither I nor anyone else in my family will buy another…thing from you until you can prove how it’s made. 

I’ve read all your “Corporate Responsibility” stuff on your website. How do I know it’s true? Tracking down what you say is like trying to find out who’s funding Super PAC’s. Or trying to decipher Terms and Conditions on a tech site. You know that no one can do it, or will do it. You know they’ll click “I agree”. You know it, you plan for it. 

For years, I’ve trusted you. Because I thought you deserved it. I was wrong. Trust is earned. Its occurred to me you haven’t done a damn thing to earn my trust — and I’ve been buying from you for years.

You have pictures of workers at sewing machines. How do I know the pictures are real? How do I know the pictures weren’t staged? You say you’re “ethical”. Well then take me through your supply chain starting where the cotton is grown all the way to the store. C’mon, lets go. Let me ask my questions and film it all. 

If what you’re saying is true then you should have no proving it to someone like me. It should be easy to prove that workers making your clothing are not just earning a “fair wage”, that they’re actually thriving. It should be simple to prove that you’re not doing damage to our planet. 

If you can’t or your answer is “read our website”, then don’t bitch at me for accusing you of green washing. 

Pictures, marketing mumbo jumbo and clever hook statements such as “Don’t buy this jacket”, are no longer enough. No. Plenty of corporations have lied to me. Now, I’m simply asking you to prove to me that you’re not one more. It ought to be easy.

And I’d also like to know what exactly is a “living wage”? Or what does “fair trade” really mean? If you’re saying people who make your clothes do better than others, that’s like saying you’re the best of the worst. That’s like saying, “Well, it used to be that everyone who worked for us died of cancer. Now, only half of them do. Aren’t we grand!”. Hillary Clinton is probably going to be President. Not because she’s what our country really needs — because she’s the best of the worst. 

Sorry man. Fancy catch phrases, pictures, videos and webpages don’t mean bleep to me now. I demand more. Now, if you want me as a customer you’re going to have to prove you’re in alignment with what I believe and stand for. Nothing else will do. 

Maybe what you’re doing is good enough for the rest of your customers? Maybe they trust you? Maybe you think what you’re doing is good enough, that it’s the best you can do? Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not good enough for me. That I demand more. You want me as a customer? You’re going to have to earn it. Because the planet, my neighbors, and our future is at stake here. There’s no compromising what that means to me.

Sincerely,