Why Have I Wallowed In Ignorance For So Long? From This Day Forward, I Will Sell My Coffee At A Fair Trade Price
I am a poor coffee farmer. Years ago, the sale of my crop provided me with enough money to provide a good life for my family. In recent time, however, the supply of coffee has gone up, and, of course with an increased supply comes a decreased demand. I used to sell coffee beans for over a dollar a pound. Now I am lucky if I get 40 cents for the same amount.
My family is in poverty. Many times I am forced to sell the next year's crop months in advance to pay my debts. My employees are little more than slaves. This crisis, which has enslaved me to my debtors, has in turn forced me to enslave my workers.
I feel, though, that there is hope. There is a movement—small now—it will grow. Members of the movement hope to sell their coffee beans for a fair price. By selling their crop for over a dollar a pound, they are able to feed and clothe their families. They can build schools for their children and roads for their towns. Adequate medical care, clean water, suitable living conditions: these are all possible if coffee growers can get more money for their crops.
From now on, I will no longer sell my coffee beans for 40 cents a pound. I will sell my crop for $1.26 a pound.
It is so simple. . . . so clear. Why was it not clear before? If I want more money for my family, I will simply sell my crop for a higher price, a fair price, a price that respects the dignity of each and every human person and acknowledges the gifts and talents that each person can, in his or her own way, contribute to the human race.
Why have I wallowed in ignorance for so long? From this day forward, I will sell my coffee at a fair trade price.
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*And by Jorge Rodriguez, we mean Daniel Riehs.
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