Comments on: Is Fair Trade Rock and Roll? http://fairtrade.us/2011/04/is-fair-trade-rock-and-roll/ Seeing the world from a fair trade perspective. Thu, 09 May 2013 14:37:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Joseph Steel http://fairtrade.us/2011/04/is-fair-trade-rock-and-roll/#comment-441 Joseph Steel Tue, 31 May 2011 01:16:58 +0000 http://fairtrade.us/?p=1706#comment-441 I wonder how the artisan in India (or any other country) would respond to this topic?

“Fair trade is completely rock ‘n roll” … does it even matter? And which genre of rock ‘n roll are we talking about — ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s…. or are all the genres rebellious?

Rock and roll has actually been big business for a long time. Very corporate, very big money. The “rebellion” aspect is for the most part a superficial facade that helps sell more product to targeted consumers.

The problem with the canceled order is all about your typical psychographic variables. And until businesses make fair trade about people-to-people, and not about some institution/product titled Fair Trade, there will continually be rejections like this.

Rock ‘n roll music came out of multiple other music types, including Appalachian folk music, i.e. music created by people that could easily be termed … artisan. Additionally, many of the instruments rock ‘n roll artists use are based on instruments developed by artisans. I’d say that, far more than songs that become sound tracks for a social movement, or a shout out on support of one, one could say, no artisan no rock ‘n roll.

Which kind of sounds like rock ‘n roll owes artisans some payback.

How about this for a protest/uprising … boycott rock ‘n roll music until those that produce it really support the worldwide artisan redevelopment movement.

— Joseph

]]> By: Megy Karydes http://fairtrade.us/2011/04/is-fair-trade-rock-and-roll/#comment-317 Megy Karydes Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:06:54 +0000 http://fairtrade.us/?p=1706#comment-317 I knew some of these celebs were advocates of fair trade but I never really thought of fair trade and rock and roll in the same sentence. But it totally makes sense. If you think about it, rockers and celebs have the unique privilege of traveling all over the world to share their art. Granted, most of those trips are not exactly to developing countries but they do get the chance to see that part of the world through some of their travels or involvement in charities they support. The exciting thing is that when they speak up on issues like fair trade, many people listen. Or, at the very least, will learn a little bit more about the subject.

I’m sorry the store canceled their order. It seems their vision is a little short sighted and what a shame they didn’t use this opportunity to showcase how cool and fashion-forward fair trade products can be and ARE. I hope they’ll come around. And, if not, there are plenty other hipster, rock & rollers out there who would love to carry more fashionable fair trade items!

-Megy

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