This is a great story highlighting what needs to be re-evaluated in the fashion supply chain when it comes to equitable practices, worker safety and worker rights. But, I feel like the article title is a little more blame-y than necessary.

I don’t think most people (individuals) “love” cheap clothes. I think it’s more that cheap clothes are what most people can afford. It’s a choice of necessity, not preference. It’s kind of like how I don’t love non-organic foods and want to always buy fair trade, but let’s be real- unless I can find space and time for my own garden or make an extra $5,000 a year, I can’t afford to make those responsible choices. And I think a lot of people make socially irresponsible choices knowing full well the consequences because they also feel they have no choice unless they want to take money away from food or rent.

I’m not trying to minimize the point your article makes, I’m just trying to say that blaming or putting guilt on consumers who don’t have the luxury of making more responsible shopping choices doesn’t address the issues with our local economy that contribute to the competitive lowering of prices and terrible working conditions described.

I applaud your work on this issue of working conditions — this is such an important topic — but think you should give consumers more credit. Many of us want to make better choices.

It would be easy for anyone to say, “Well if you really cared about other people’s well being you would shell out the extra money, or find another option.” But a $5 shirt might be what someone needs to ace an interview that determines whether or not they have somewhere to live. I’m suggesting the problem is broader than just working conditions, and I’m concerned and fascinated with possibilities for addressing all sides of this.

What I’m asking is: what would you say to us- the broke consumers- if we asked you what we should do to help change this situation? How can we be an ally instead of an enemy?