 |
|
|
|
Tell us what you think >>
Selected submissions will be posted here regularly, so visit again to read more
comments.
Many people want to help the workers featured in CHINA BLUE. Read why filmmaker Micha Peled will not contact Jasmine and his answer to the question: what can we do to help? >>
4/5/07
Nandini Bajpai
Natick, MA
Hello, I loved China Blue. We are so clueless about what goes on to support our lifestyle.
I grew up in India. I notice that while people there do not wear blue jeans in the
countryside at all (they wear ethnic clothing specially women,saris and salwar kameez and
local tailor made clothes) people in China wear jeans! So I'm curious about why in China
the people in the countryside wear Blue jeans and who makes them and what do they cost?
I'd really love to know what Little Jasmines jeans cost her! Thanks for this wonderful
eyeopener - what we know about we can start to fix.
4/5/07
Evan P.
NY, NY
I'm absolutely appalled at the complete arrogance of these people running these factories.
If I knew had to reach the little girl that was not paid I would pay her way for the year
so she can stay with her family. I can't state my real feelings here but I'm sure you get
the picture. They should all Drop!!!
4/5/07
What happened to Jasmine's letter that she put in the jean's pocket? Did she really do it?
Would it be possible to write to some of these factory workers?
4/5/07
I caught only the last 30 min. of the film and I was hook to it and has alot of sympathy
for those people in china. as for me used to be like one of them in my own country before
I moved to america, I know what it like to lived like that. there are little company to
work in and every company pay cheap. I was very sad to see how these people having to work
so hard for so little money just to earn a living. I would thanks God everyday for what i
have today.
4/5/07
Sahara
There is something wrong with the WORLD'S labor practices! For years, I worked in the
Garment District. At the end of the day, the only people who are making money are the
owners of the companies. A large company stopped flying me overseas to the factories,
after I saw for myself the drama. When I spoke out, a girl was fired. I was reprimanded
for paying girls out of my pocket, to make up for my bosses nonsense. So guess what? The
next time I was sent overseas, I found my office padlocked, as I was fired, with no
notice. It's a good thing I had my own return ticket--and I was a designer. Trust me, I
feel for girls like Jasmin, which is why I'm busting my butt to set up an atelier here,
and train and pay fairly. And yes, it can be done!
This is a cut-throat business, fueled by our insatiable demand to look well, for nothing.
There are sweatshops in New York. I watched young design associates in the office burn out
in two years, working 16 hour days, while the buyers and the bosses left early to catch
their trains, or in the case of one boss, his helicopter.
And while I understand folks here who are poor and have to make ends meet, if you live in
a trailer, and can only afford to shop at Wal-mart, what does that say about your own job?
Can you speak up? It isn't just China, that needs to change. For the thrifty-are you
really saving money, when your clothes are so poorly constructed that they fall apart
while you're wearing them?
4/5/07
Beto Zapien
Salem, OR
I saw the film n it is very touching...
4/5/07
I am disgusted. U.S. Companies are profiting from slave labor. This is clearly wrong and
illegal. The US companies know it. What is that do-nothing Congress of ours doing? They
should enact laws to stop US companies from doing this or ensuring that workers who make
their products get a proper wage.
4/5/07
Daliya Robson
Walnut Creek, Ca
Thank you dear sir Micha x Peled from Israel for your wonderful work on so many valid
important issues. The word of the lord will come forth from the hills of Judea Consider
yourself a prophet of our times by showing us all what the truth of our reality is -and
what needs to be changed. I for one do not buy anything that is not organic . Can you
please do some research on the organic industry and see if we too are breaking the rules
of human decency. Daliya
4/5/07
The CEO s of the company should be completely ashamed of themselves and have things done
to them that is inappropriate to say. SICK _____ fill in the blank.
4/5/07
Jimmy
Vancouver, WA
SAD, SAD, SAD. I was sadden after hearing Jasmine didn't have enough money to go home to
be with her family for the Chinese New Year. Just wanted to punch the owner in the face!!
No children should be working those kind of hours and conditions. Wish Jasmine and her
little friend all the bests.
4/5/07
Jill
Queen Creek, AZ
I knew I boycotted Wal-Mart for good reason and I continue to. However, I know that I
still buy products that are from this form of slavery because they're everywhere - the
grocery store, the mall of course, smaller stores, etc. But boycotting Wal-mart is an
important big step and I encourage everyone to do so. I also was appalled at the corrupt
and selfish attitude of the big boss. What a classist jerk. Corporations need to make
surprise visits. Also, and charging them for food, room and board on top of the already
low wages? that's just insane. if China is becoming the "democracy" that the "big boss"
claims, then major changes need to be implemented. And it starts by making people like him
responsible.
4/5/07
Luis T
El Paso Texas
Extremely disturbing. Makes you wonder what wasn't shown in lieu of confiscation and
censorship. The "withholding" of Jasmine's first month's salary was beyond unspeakable.
One would suspect those smiling while drinking cheap rot-gut out of plastic cups with the
boss (on holiday) are future candidates for supervisor positions. Makes your skin crawl.
4/5/07
After watching the story I thought where was the outrage when the united States garment
industry was going away in the 1980s? I was employed as a presser and a member of the
ILGWU. The same people who complained about the story have never giving any thought to who
or where their clothes are made, just as long that the price is LOW!
4/5/07
Spice
Bay shore, NY
I've never joined a talk forum on the computer before. but i feel like I'm compelled to
voice my opinion. this documentary touched my heart & soul. i feel so guilty for shopping
@ Wal-Mart stores. gosh, my favorite gap jeans because they carry tall sizes. i'm so
####### outraged right now. I'm pissed. The human race is out of control.money is not the
only solution. where the hell is the love!!i can go on and on...I'm a shopaholic and have
jeans in my closet with the tags still attached.trust me they're going back to the store.
Please let me know how I can help this situation.
4/4/07
Julie
Milwaukee, WI
How can I send money to that 1 little girl that never go paid. Oh my Lord this is
horrible! Is this at all possible? That was totally paiful to watch. I am mortified to be
an American. Is there not anythign we can do to help or stop this abuse?
4/4/07
Darryl Nordstrom
Ching Blue...Great Program!!! I hope more people realize the human cost of low priced
merchandise. I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart! Keep up the good work. I hope your efforts help
to enlighten Americans and improve humanity. Aloha, Darryl
4/4/07
Beth Laggan
Stryker, OH
What an eye opener as to how horrible factory workers are treated in China!! But I think
along with showing the reality of the situation, maybe some solutions or suggestions of
how to help could be provided. There are many of us that would like to help, but don't
know how.
4/4/07
Vince Thomas
Rock Island, Illinois
I showed the film to my students studying introduction to sociology at a community
college. They have vowed to change their way of shopping for clothes. Some of them
promised to write to the CEOs of the companies purchasing jeans from China. Perhaps the
owner of the factory needs to visit factories in other countries which are considered to
be more humane. His attitude towards the women is awful-- you would think he would be
compassionate since he ( and his wife) asks for spiritual support and guidance. Our
pocketbooks and the greed of corporations are connected. The CEOs know it and we continue
to behave as if we have no alternatives. The affluence and consumer society are to blame
for legalized slavery there and here as we continue to"look for the best price" in making
our purchases. We are all Wal Mart.
4/4/07
John Howie
Stockton, CA.
I have only read and viewed what was on this pbs site but I am appalled. The US Government
should make the Overpayed CEO pay back money to those laborers.
4/4/07
Tantra Bensko
San Francisco, CA
This beautifully made movie made me cry much of the way through it. I was moved by the
courage of the film makers as well as the factory workers. The fact that the workers
barely slept at all was even worse than I had imagined it would be. Yet they managed to
keep going with the best attitude they could. I already was aware of the problems with
globalization and shopped local when I could, avoiding name brands cheap items made in
china for example, going for hand made, but this pushed me to be more disciplined in my
choices. I know simply not buying the products is not enough, however. I wish I knew what
we could do to improve their lives. I think just working on our own human needs and
behavior and integrity is a start.
4/4/07
Tampa,FL
After watching the China Blue video, I felt bad for the people who had to live and work in
those kinds of conditions and then I started to feel ashame because I wear blue jeans all
the time and I spend a whole lot more money on buying them than what the people make.I
feel like going on a strike by not wearing blue jeans.
4/4/07
Monica Widmar
Thank you so much for putting a face on this scandalous cruelty that we buyers can help to
stop. I am going home tonight and searching my labels and getting rid of all jeans made in
China! I can't stop wars, ethnic cleansing and all this madness, but I can certainly live
without these BLOOD JEANS!!
4/4/07
Ben Merrion
Hyattsville, MD
It was really interesting reading about what struggles the filmmakers went through just to
make this film. In response to those who have been asking about how to get clothes
including jeans that are sweatshop free and/or made by union workers, I would like to
offer some very helpful sites on the web where these products can be found:
www.nosweatapparel.com
www.justiceclothing.com
www.esperanzathreads.com
You can also search a listing of companies/organizations such as these by using Coop
America's Green Pages: www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages They are a non-profit
organization committed to giving information about socially responsible and
environmentally responsible practices, products, organizations and companies. Hope this
helps.
4/4/07
Rick
Irwin, Pennslyvania
Micha Peled and CHINA BLUE slammed me with raw takes of greed and inhumanity that hardened
further my disgust with exploitation consumerism and the parasitic false profits of
corporations. Production contracts must enforce a living wage standard to topple the
Jasmine and Orchid work ethic. On the demand side, consumers should be engaged to practice
'fair-buy' behaviors in direct rejection of exploitation prices and profits. There is hope
in everyone's shopping cart.
4/4/07
Maggie
Fremont, CA
Cried a lot while watching this film. Really appreciate the film maker's work. Feel sad
that nothing I can do to change those girls' life.
4/4/07
Ruby
C.C., Tx.
I just can not believe American designers and companies (Levi, Walmart, Tommy Hilfiger,
etc.)just to name a few from many other American companies and cooperations which are
multi-millionaires making BILLIONS, could not even give an ounce of concern for the
"slaves" that live dirt poor, don't see their families, work 12-hour days, seven days a
week. Do they not have a conscious(?). These factory workers are LITERALLY, IMPRISONED
just for trying to make a living off of just a few pennies.
4/4/07
Drake
Austin, Tx
I started watching the film at 12am and had to go to work at 5am but I was glued once it
started airing. This is definitely a heart-sinking documentary, that turns every problem
you had to being minuscule. So the big question that everybody thought of after the
film,what can we do? If you think about it, boycotting and putting Walmart in front of the
media does absolutely nothing. Ive already seen a dateline about Walmarts sweatshop but
did it change anything, no. Since Walmart is multi billion dollar company, they can find
ways to cover up things. Shoot, they can make there own documentary and even build a
factory with Chinese workers living in 5 star hotels. And complaining to the supply
manager does nothing, they are corrupt as can be and care only of themselves, he says im
driving a small car, yeah, a small Mercedes. And they to are getting shafted by the buyers
who chalk the price down so low that it causes a ripple effect that hurt poor Jasmin. So
what do we do, ideally i wished that nobody would shop at Walmart so they could go out of
business but thats not going to happen. To tell you the truth, I love shopping at Walmart
because its cheap and im thrifty. No matter how much bad venom you spew on the
internet,news and media about Walmart it wont even put a dent on their pockets,
furthermore, we'll eventually forget the issue as time passes and it'll be like a mist of
water vaporized in thin air. What needs to happen, is our United States government needs
to intervene. If Bush took down Saddam for his acts on persecuting people, he needs to
look under his nose and see Walmart is doing the same dam thing.
We as a people need to constantly harass the governor of our state with this issue.
Eventually it'll lead to the congress, and hopefully we can make more strict rules and
regulations for Walmart to follow. Maybe a law that makes Walmart's having to set a
minimum quoted on products for suppliers and mandating suppliers to set a minimum wage at
their factories. What do you guys think?
4/4/07
Beth Laggan
Stryker, OH
What an eye opener as to how horrible factory workers are treated in China!! But I think
along with showing the reality of the situation, maybe some solutions or suggestions of
how to help could be provided. There are many of us that would like to help, but don't
know how.
4/4/07
Amanda Forneris
Warba, Minnesota
I wasn't planning on watching this show nor do i care much for, let alone have time for
tv. The only reason i had kept watching is because i am young and love fashion. I have
tons of jeans love love love them. But it never occurred to me exactly what i was
overlooking. All throughout school we learned various history about sweatshops and labor
laws (especially child labor). I never realized what people had to go through to make the
jeans i am wearing. Such a simple thing like that we take for granted. I work for minimum
wage and barley make. It;s sick to think that others are living there life for less.
Nobody deserves to be worked and treated like that over such an essential and abundant
product. I guess that's life. I pray for them.
4/4/07
Paula Yenglin
Petoskey, Michigan
Jasmine, wherever you are God Bless You. I find it deplorable young people who could offer
so much have to work in sweat shops like this. The "BOSS", is a real criminal. Former
police chief. He should have gotten paid 3 cents a day... as a police chief. I hate the
fact that everything I look at is made in China. No matter what I purchase look at the
label and it says Made in China. GO FIGURE>>>>>These young kids deserve to go to school
and be happy. God BLESS All OF YOU.
4/4/07
Jay
New Haven, CT
It is my fellow Chinese, most from less developed rural country, that feed people in more
developed cities, inside or outside China. What can I do? To vote with my credit card, to
deliver this video and the message to more people... is it possible that PBS or the author
of this video sets up shows in some community?
4/4/07
Judy Haynes
OKC 73 115
Labor unions in places like America would be well advised to initiate boycott campaigns
against all those retailers here - that's the only way to frighten those over here who
make whopping profits by exploiting the Chinese - and it might save a few jobs in America.
Great documentary - I knew all that, but seeing it is more shocking than just reading
about it.
4/4/07
Nancy D.
Cedarburg, Wisconsin
What has happened? It all started with izod for me. Our insatiable thirst for labels and
flash in the pan fashion trends has become unquenchable.The exterior of many and most
Americans can look deeper and be haunted by their "interior" which exists in Jasmine and
the others. They are the "soul" of our superficial negatively charge consumerism,
ironically veiled in a Communist country. Is anyone afraid of what they see?
|
|
|
