Burn the Burnt Orange

In the article “Failing to listen to the echoes of protest,” the author describes how 18 University of Texas students were arrested for protesting in the lobby past 5pm. These college students were protesting the fact that the University of Texas collegiate gear is made in sweatshops. Although I understand the authors argument that the University is technically public property, I am not opposed to the students being arrested.  Although it was a peaceful protest, the University does have rules and regulations and they have to enforce those equally, no matter what their opinion on the subject may be.  My argument focuses more on the shame the University should feel at the reason for the students protest.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of UT.  I grew up in Austin and, if you lived here you’d understand, it’s impossible not to catch the burnt orange fever.  Right now, I cannot decide if I am more saddened or angered by the fact that UT collegiate gear is made in sweatshops, under horrible working conditions, so that they can turn a ridiculously huge profit.  

How can a school that turns out some of the world’s best doctors, lawyers, business men and women and teachers all educated to be compassionate about the world around them, and yet at the same time promote the suffering of those who toil away to survive.  Is it because those in power are so far removed from poverty that they are able to ignore those in need?  Isn’t part of a college education learning to treat others equally, to be unbiased and not prejudice?  Do our university’s leaders believe that those working in the sweatshops are being treated equally or that it is fair to take such advantage of them?

To many who work in sweat shops, it is not as if they have the luxury to quit there job and move on to a new one. This job is their lifeline. They need it to survive.  So, they work the long hours, accepting a ridiculously low wage, because, after all, it is better than no wage at all. These conditions are deplorable and we should be ashamed that we are causing them.  We are directly responsible for the horrible lives those workers face because we buy the merchandise. I have nine UT shirts and two UT dresses in my closet and I don’t ever want to wear them again.  You can be assured that until the shirts are made in a worker friendly manner I will not be expanding my collection.

That may be what it takes to create a change; to make the people in charge of these situations listen. My nine measly t-shirts won’t do the trick but if everybody realizes, as I did today, that The University of Texas promotes sweat shop labor and stops supporting them by buying their merchandise, we can make a real change. As the infamous slogan says “What starts here, changes the world.” I am ready to make a positive change in our world and if it means burning the burnt orange, I am ready to light the match.

Up In Smoke

We are all free to choose what we do with our bodies, in this the author is correct, however the lack of recognition the effects of second hand smoking can have on non-smokers is astounding. While it is true that a person can live a healthy lifestyle and get cancer, I see no reason for that person chances to increase, no matter how slight that increase may be, because someone wants to light up. Even if cigarette smoking only accounts for less than fifty percent of lung cancer in the United States, if my risk of contracting it is raised, even in the slightest, then that is unfair to me.  For as much as smokers have a right to smoke, I have the right to breathe smoke free air.

                Another fact the author fails to realize is that, as citizens of America, we are free to do what we want however, business owners and managers are also free to disallow behavior they dislike on their property.  Bars, schools and churches have recently started voluntarily banning smoking in their establishments.  Because this property is owned or managed by them, they are within their rights to prohibit smoking in or on their establishments.  I appreciate these places taking precautions to protect my health.

                One of the most important things we should remember is that we are completely free.  No one can force us to attend ACC or to patronize a certain business.  If we do not approve of the rules of any establishment, we can choose not to support them.  We can choose not to attend classes at ACC and, instead, to take online classes so that we may smoke at our leisure.  Personally, I am not a smoker.  I am allergic to the smoke in the air and lung cancer runs in my family which makes me more susceptible to  contracting the disease from second hand smoke.  I appreciate that certain businesses value my health and will continue to patronize them to show my support.

                I do agree that this is not a decision that should be made by our legislature; however, the smoking ban in Austin was put on the ballot and passed by 52% of the vote.  While this is not a large percent it is still a majority.  Smoking was not declared illegal by the Texas government.  In fact, just this week, the University of Texas voluntarily banned smoking on their campus.  One of the reasons as quoted by Patt Clubb, vice president of university operations, was "This is an institution of higher education, so it's logical that we emphasize education, awareness..."  I am glad that this university, as well as our own college campus, recognize the effects that second hand smoking can have on non-smokers.

                If one does not agree with the decisions of an establishment, not only can they choose not to patronize said establishment but they can also vote.  If you passionately believe in something, then talk to your representatives and get it put on a ballot.  Find support in others who think as you do and get them to the ballot box. That is the beauty of democracy, if you don’t like something, you can actually do something to change it.