Chocolate, Roses and Diamonds-- Symbols of love or symbols of exploitation?

     In light of the holiday season of giving it has come across my attention that everyday consumer items meant to symbolize love and affection are troubled by roots of exploitation and greed.  Items such as chocolate, roses and diamonds are purchased and presented to our loved ones as tokens of our affection and esteem. But what is the true cost? Is it really worth it?
       Globalization aims to establish a world market through the elimination of borders by means of communication, trade and transportation. While globalization does offer an integration of economic, social, and cultural entities, the effects can be devastating rather than uplifting to many less developed countries and their native peoples. Chocolate for instance is a consumer item found on the shelf of every grocery store and supermarket. This item is incredibly tasty (as most people will agree) and yet affordable to most consumers within the industrialized nations. Chocolate is marketed to everyone based on its appeal and availability, whether it be premium chocolates (e.g.,Godiva) or mass marketed chocolates (e.g., Hershey's Chocolates). However, this item is primarily produced in the Ivory Coast of Africa, which is characterized for its exploitative labor practices, including the utilization of child/youth slavery. Roses are also an item that many consumers dont even consider to be exploitive. We think that every local nursery grows their own roses but in fact, this product is usually extracted from African and South American countries which are all well known to be lax on their labor laws and often mistreat or provide unsatisfactory working conditions and unlivable working wages to their employees. In Kenya, workers are exposed to pesticides while picking roses and are also subject to poor working conditions and wages that fail to meet the cost of living. Lastly, as many people are well aware, the diamond industry is marked by blood, greed, and exploitation. Conflict diamonds finance wars and insurgencies, yet for Americans, these diamonds are viewed as luxuries and symbols of love.
   So my question is...how do we make it right? Do we boycott these items?  Do we ensure fair trade and sacrifice low prices? Do we look the other way and simply conform to the idea that ignorance is bliss or do we make people more aware that there is tragedy behind these profitable consumer items?

This topic may seem very overwhelming and as individuals we often feel hopeless that we can do anything to change this vicious cycle of greed and exploitation. However, we can make a difference by becoming smart and aware consumers (USE YOUR CONSCIOUS AND RESEARCH ITEMS INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING BLIND AND RABID CONSUMERISM) and maybe sacrificing a little by differentiating want and need.

--Sophie Gardner