Yesterday for my last day of Public Speaking, I had to go to a showcase where the best student in each class gave their speech. There were 10 speakers who gave their speeches on finance, killer whales, keeping the sabbath day holy, animal rights, and so on. Since all I had to do for that was show up and stay, I took a program and began to do some doodling (like always). But there was one speech, one that really caught my attention. He began by talking about chocolate. Who doesn't love chocolate? It's by far my favorite. But when he said the words that came to his mind when he thought of chocolate, he said "Slavery. Children. Suffering. Pain." Hmm, did I mishear him and think he said Chocolate when he said something else? That maybe "Cho-clot" is what he said, and that had to do with little children being slaves?
No.
He then went on to give this amazing informative speech how large Chocolate companies like Nestle and Hershey and so on use children in places like Ivory and other parts of Africa as slaves for their chocolate production. Years ago in 2005, people found out and were outraged, demanding for change. The companies said they would, but nothing has happened since then much different. Watch this video please:
How can this be ok? I listened to the speech, the entire time my jaw dropped to the floor. When learning in American Heritage last year about humans rights and how some have been so violated, I just wondered how if we are all people of God, anyone can be ok with slavery. And to children? How cruel. I was disgusted with the new found information that this young man was presenting.
But now what? I love chocolate. So when I see it, I'm torn apart. Do I just say "ignorance is bliss" and eat away, or do I make a change. If I make a change though, who is gonna care? I'm just one person, I'm not going to end Childhood Slavery. But what if I can. What if my influence can help stop this malicious activity going on.
Here is what I am going to do about this topic. They are going to be hard for me to follow, but I want to be the start of a change:
1. Go without Chocolate from those high brands--for at least a month to start. It will be my progressive boycott. I have to start somewhere, so no more candy chocolates for me--I don't want to think about how I am promoting any negative cause.
2. Soon, maybe sometime, send an email to the companies. I'm sure they get a lot, but I want them to fear me too. I want them to know I don't think that is ok at all.
Oh and last, the kid mentioned there are chocolate bars out there which do not use child slaves and compensate their employees fairly. I found these are the brands of chocolates that do NOT use slavery:
Chuao
Denman Island Chocolate
Divine Chocolate Co.
The Endangered Species Chocolate Company
Equal Exchange
Green and Black's
Health by Chocolate
Ithaca Fine Chocolates
Lake Champlain
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
La Siembra Cooperative
Malagasy
Max Havelaar
Mayordomo
Montezuma's Chocolates
Newman's Own Organics
Omanahene Cocoa Bean Company
Original Hawaiian Chocolate
Plamil Organic Chocolate
Rapunzel Pure Organics
San Francisco Chocolate Factory
Shaman Chocolates
Sweet Earth Chocolates
Terra Nostra Organic
Theo Chocolate
Tony Chocolonely
Trader Joe's Organic Chocolate Bars
Yachana Gourmet3. Blog about it to tell all! (Or the few who visit and read my posts)
Just a little cool thing I learned in school today.
Wow. That's insane. Thanks for the heads up, Hilly.
ReplyDeletehilary. this is so horrible.
ReplyDeletehorrible.
i love chocolate.
but i love humans more.
obviously i have to choose humans, right?
well duh.
but still.
gahhhh.
this might take a few tries.
and maybe i'm going to stop reading your blog.
next thing i know you're going to be telling me something awful about the process of making frozen yogurt.
i love you.
bye.
What's sad, is that I probably won't stop too...it is so hard. but seriously, it is so sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd frozen yogurt is pure love, nothing bad. Ice cream is what kills you (if you are lactose like me...boo...)
love you bulth
First of all, I remember when you were "Girl". That was pretty funny/
ReplyDeleteSecondly, My one true love Peanut Butter M&Ms are made by The Man so it looks like I'm supporting child slavery. Great. But I have to say that Lake Champlain Chocolates are so fantastic.
Thirdly, did you know that people didn't start running until ipods were invented? It's true. Running and exercise in general simply weren't possible when people couldn't listen to music. Kidding. But still boring without music.