A good kind of tension?

In our office as in most offices tension will come up. We’ve had many team discussions on what “good” tension and what “unhealthy” tension is. For the U.S. Love146 office we have defined good tension as tension that is brought up by work issues. So even if we disagree on different methods, programs, approaches etc. the tension exists because we think certain things will end child sex slavery and exploitation more effectively than others. An unhealthy tension comes if things get personal (like when Ben attacks my exquisite taste in music:). I held off writing this blog for a few days because I thought it could create tension. But I hope this tension is the good kind.

For a couple of years I have carried The Better World Shopping Guide with me. The guide is a pocket-sized book that can help change the world. It is a comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers. The guide “grades” companies on Human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. I was flipping through the book again a few nights ago and I noticed several companies that have been involved in child slavery lawsuits or have documented exploitation of child labor. A couple of examples:

Chocolate:

Nestle Grade – F Involved in child slavery lawsuit

Alternatives: Cadbury, Grade – B- Newman’s own, Grade – B+ Green & Black, Grade – A- Equal Exchange, Grade – A+

Supermarkets:

Walmart Grade – F Documented exploitation of child labor

Alternatives: Target, Grade – C- Shaws, Grade – C Albertsons, Grade – C Stop N Shop, Grade – C Trader Joes, Grade – A- Whole Foods/Wild Oats – A

Ice Cream:

Haagen Daz (Nestle)

Grade – F Involved in child slavery lawsuit

Alternatives: Breyers, Grade – C+ Starbucks, Grade – B Ben & Jerry’s, Grade – A Stoneyfield Farm, Grade – A

The ice cream is why I brought out the book the other night. After my husband and I enjoyed a purely delicious bite of ice cream on a steamy summer night, I decided to look it up in the book. The kind we were eating (as well as my husband’s favorite)…yep, Haagan Daz. Can anyone say Cherry Garcia here we come? Ending child sex slavery and exploitation will take a while but the good news is that we can actually make a difference by decisions such as which ice cream we buy. That is really amazing! We have so much power.

Want more info?

www.betterworldshopper.com You can order a book from their website ($10, free shipping) or if you have a fancy phone you can buy their app which is awesome.

Tense anyone? What do you think?

Desirea