RADICAL ACTIVIST IDEAS REGARDING THIS STUPID CPSIA LAW

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm new here, though I've known about Etsy and handmade for long while [forgive me this may be quite long but please hear me out, it will be worth it I promise]. I have for years made pretty much everything either in my home or for my kids, I do a lot of recycling/reconstructing and dumpster finds/remake, give away, use, etc. I also hand embroidery, my own artwork, and needlepoint as well as sewing.

I went to college and majored in Poli Sci[international/emphasis on Human Rights and Women's Rights]. I was single parent, very low income, dealt with welfare, homelessness once, so, I learned a lot many years. I got involved with some heavy political activism, anti-sweatshop, labor rights, so forth.

Anyway, age discrimination and back injury from job long ago, I couldn't find work so I decided that well, I needed to pay student loans and would combine my hobby, with my political activism [which is somewhat radical/militant esp on Women's Human Rights]. So, I researched, and was AMAZED at the history of exploitation of women's labor, the genocide against women's culture [and don't think this law isn't a genocide against women's art/culture because it IS], the so called liberation by communist Stalin and its Literal wipe out of ancient Textiles by women/cultures all over Asia, to force them into factories as slaves of course.

Then I started reading about the whole Textile industry, child labor, as well as the Resistance movement all across the globe by women, working in Textiles be it sewing or handmade,

fighting for not just environment but for their Own livelihoods, against Violence towards Women, Against Trafficking, micro loans for women in war torn countries to rebuild their communities, etc etc etc...

including women in Palestine doing needlepoint [their ancient Palestinian culture] with Israeli women, they brought back their art and there is even a museum now.

This law is Huge, its not just about lead and the impact [and deliberate impoverishment of women and children by this law] on economy but the Impact on women here, our cultures which are combined/rich with such a rich history,

its about women globally that have fought for so long to one, have their ART recognized as art rather than being demeaned by males [and that world] as petty 'craft',

they have fought to be able to maintain/preserve their cultures by preserving their needle-work, which needlework of all kinds is in itself a language of culture, legend, tradition and hope. They have fought even to preserve entire races from genocide,

using only a needle and thread, for example, in America, the Underground Railroad was very dependent on African Slave women sewing quilts that had designs which were in fact, codes and directions.

For our government to be so Indifferent [and how DARE they do this in the name of Children's Rights &%&%&%$$(&%] to the needs of women and children's economy,

They worry about lead, pass this on and pass it on Loud, to the Government, Tell that to the Homeless children that will increase as a result of this Draconian Law that will be exposed to LEAD in homeless shelters, as well as exposure to TB, and other diseases.

Tell that to the thousands of children and migrant children working in the States as well as globally in sweatshops working with hazardous materials as we know those corporations won't even have a dent by this law.

So, as for activism,

I say the first thing needed is to expose their Hypocrisy, for their so called 'concern for children',

be that they claim that, therefore, they should not only reimburse all mothers who are losing their business due to this law, they should Bail Out until another job can be found for every single expense loss that Would have gone to the care of the children, that will be lost,

Any single mothers that will lose income and lose possible housing, the Government should rather, than Cut daycare assistance [which they did the same day Obama was elected in our state, for those women going to college], they immediately should cover full expense of daycare for every single mother who has to now go look for a job,

as well as utilities and house/apartment rent. FOR THE CHILDREN...

and, AND, they should cover 100% job training with the rest, for every woman who loses her business, because of This law.

Now, not that I concur with the ideology that government should be our parent/caretaker, I do not, However, since they are Creating the conditions deliberately knowing Full well [and there is no way they Don't know] the ramifications of this bill AND since they did this under the Guise of Children's Protection,

like Obama says, THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND IF THAT MEANS CHAINING OURSELVES TO THE CAPITAL SO BE IT.

Obama has come up with all these ideas and jobs that are Traditionally and currently Male Dominated,

at the same time, with the backing of the Same Congress men and women, this CPSIA Law has been passed,

they want to send form letters and they want to 'pass the word on',

fine. Give them more to pass on then,

Naomi Wolf stated that they were a tad disappointed [what a joke seriously] about this ignoring of women's status, etc etc etc

well Gee, ya think?

Its amazing how in such a progressive Pro-woman nation our government is cutting at the very throat of not just women's economy [and men too who work in hand made] but at the very heart of the culture of this country,

the community.

Our history, including yes, native cultures, and the Spirit of Community, by that I mean, women's contributions to so many social justice causes,

from environmentalism to anti-poverty to human rights.

IF this law is not repealed or changed, it will NOT only destroy thousands of women centered businesses [and there goes Female Empowerment in America, which I believe is a big part of the social engineering taking place in a very fast pace Five year plan, and I speak from some inside knowledge there],

it also sends a very Powerful message to the world's women, including the Textile workers and Women Coops in

Africa, Central America, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Palestine, just to name a few...

if our Government is calloused enough to say to hell with the woman worker and artist, who cares if she's out in the streets, etc.,

THEY SAY IT TO EVERY SINGLE GIRL AND WOMAN IN THE WORLD WHO PICKS UP A NEEDLE AND THREAD TO FIGHT

SEX SLAVERY, TRAFFICKING, WAR, GENOCIDE, POVERTY, AND OPPRESSION.

It will be Hypocrisy for Obama to stand up there and say Change for a better world [and Congress with him] and the need to do something about the Taliban and Afghanistan and so forth,

while at the same time, sending a message much like the Taliban does,

that women are invisible, that their economy and contributions [other than sweatshop workers, brothel workers or baby makers for STATE expansionism] is worth half of a man or less,

that the work women are doing including in Palestine [good example in light of what is going on in our world] is just petty 'mommy work'

that is the message, Congress sends.

I think, when the Congressmen and those who say, we'll pass it along, in regards to this bill,

should be Reminded, just exactly, the full extent of what yes, they are passing on. And we should not let them forget it,

or those, who supported this Law.

This is a time, where we are at a crossroads, like women in Iran, like women in Iraq, Afghanistan, maybe not in actual living in war,

but we believe it or not, are under attack. Let me explain, again, sorry this is so long,

this law, isn't just effecting you and me and all of us just as mothers or our business or even our love of art/craft,

it effects us as women who ARE contributing so much more to our country and the world, than just selling baby booties or blankets or toys.

Every stitch you make, every idea you create, every late night you work, isn't just about selling an item or making some small profit to pay the bills or maybe to support your family,

its a blend and a passing down of your heritage, your language, your influences, your culture and yes,

your nation. They treat women's [mommies, etc] as if, because this isn't CEO 'male defined' economy as if its not as important or that its not as Necessary to the economy or to the world,

that is hardly the case, if Anything, communities and even entire people's don't survive long if the women's contribution through the arts isn't allowed to flourish. All over the world we can see evidence of that.

This law, is so much more than just about ending small business, it is Extremely political, it is Extremely powerful in its message and how this law is enacted/enforced to women, worldwide not just here,

to poor women [globally] and to the children, to those who work to save the environment, the eco-consumer, to new ideas.

I think, its time, we make sure, they know that. They expect, I'm sure, for us to eventually comply or just find something else, move out of the way for progress and become just another cog in the machine,

and those who can't, will fall by the wayside and will be easily exploited. I find it ironic, that recently the violent attacks on girl's schools in Afghanistan and India [where there is conflict] and the

banning children from libraries due to this law, to be very, very similar, in ends.

I am independent politically, but did for years work with the left...I do not concur [and have not for some time once my eyes were opened and saw some agenda's that would make your blood curdle] with a lot of the engineering and it is taking fold,

and it will impact women so much more than many realize, this Law, is just the beginning. Its more than just about small business [please think about it].

And I for one, don't think, especially to those Congresswomen who voted and pushed for this with absolutely NO regard to the ramifications to hundreds of women/children out there and globally,

SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VERY LAST DETAIL.

I had just started to get my small business going, which was going to donate proceeds [percentage] to NGOs working on Women's Human Right issues worldwide, from RAWA to fighting AIDS in Africa to Ending Violence to the Women in the Congo/worldwide to ending global poverty to ending Trafficking of Women/Children, etc.

Now, majority of that business because I was planning on sewing/embroidering children's aprons/gowns, I can't, I will now have to modify [and I'm sure they'll be hitting adult items next].

Thats not just my business, thats money that I could have not just paid my student loans, but money I could have sent to so many NGOs and networking with women, some who I have met in my years of activism, several who worked in Sweatshops, one for GAP in particular,

that will end as of Feb 10.

But the WAR has just begun as far as I'm concerned,

this issue is long but over...because its not just us, its women all over the world, children working, even some chained to hell to sew, all over the world, [including China which btw, North Korean women/children were trafficked there And they found one sweatshop where they found dead children chained],

no way, no way in hell will I sit quiet while Congress and all those special Corporate in bed interests, pass such a Draconian law,

in the name of Children's Protection.

Maybe we need, a Handmade/Women/Eco Consumer major wide political protest saying,

NOT IN OUR NAME.

If you agree, email me,

I'll do what I can, to get on it.

Thank you for your time, sorry if I come across a tad militant,

Cecilia
JaneDoeThreads

[Former_Member]

Oh, thank the Goddess. More hate. Just what we needed.

[Former_Member]

Damn, you go girl!

[Former_Member]

i agree that changes need to be made, but let's not get hasty.

[Former_Member]

edit, where I talk about Congresswomen who worked for this law, it should say,

I DO think ....they should be accountable to the last detail, etc.

oh, and my email address: janedoethreads7@hotmail.com

I seriously do believe this protest against this Law should include not just the ramifications towards small business, retailers, etc.,

but the message [and the hypocrisy of the Congress and Special Interest who passed this law] it sends,

to women worldwide. Including several homeless women coops here who make handmade goods to earn money to assist women in getting off the streets,

basically this law, is telling them, "well, there's always prostitution",

and for any Congresswoman do be indifferent to that,

oh Hell NO, I got my marching boots on and I'm ready...got nothing to lose and neither really do you. I will NOT work for a sweatshop NOR will I shop knowing the goods are from sweatshops or that are in nations that terrorize, torture and traffick women, children, men, NO WAY,

and as far as the library books/banning of children, I ask the US Congress, Whats next,

throwing acid in the faces of little girls who want an education, burning down schools? Komiterns? Brothels like in Thailand?

In the interests of children my Ass,

and may they hear me, LOUD AND CLEAR.

May they hear all of us.

Cecilia

[Former_Member]

Right on girl... you have spelled it out even more clearly than I had it in my head. I brought up the issue of Fair Trade a while back as it relates to this law. It absolutely denigrates the initiative and contributions that (mostly) women bring to the handcrafted world market. There is irrefutable evidence that the enactment of this law will strengthen the numbers of children forced into child labor in order to cut costs. I didn't even think of the Native American, Amish, and other populations that support entire communities with their crafts. They are horribly affected by this law as well. I don't see how this message perpetuates any kind of hatred... in fact I see this message as one of love, support and RESPECT for a way of life for thousands of people that could very well be eliminated.

[Former_Member]

Why is it, fighting for Human Rights for women, as women,

thats immediately seen as Hate? IF I was writing about fighting for the rights of nationalism, if I was a man, IF I was writing about fighting for the rights of animals,

that wouldn't even be thought of much less, written out.

Are women, so 'sub-human' that to even Think of any kind of political activism for women, that its

so foreign and unnatural?

And we wonder, why the status of women is what it is in the world? How many more women/children have to be slaughtered and killed before

we begin to see that Yes, We, Women, Mothers, are Just as worth fighting for,

as nations, as animals, as peoples?

Thats not about hate,

that's about knowing that every woman here who is being hurt by this law and those women world over who Have no alternatives but to be exploited due to Economic controls,

is WORTH IT.

BECAUSE THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS...WHO HAVE HUMAN RIGHTS,

I can guarantee you, if I had wrote the above about animal rights, I probably would have had people floor me with requests to talk on t.v.

but mention Women,

its immediate, hate accusations or femi-nazi or what have you,

and this isn't about any of the above.

Cecilia

[Former_Member]

"There is irrefutable evidence that the enactment of this law will strengthen the numbers of children forced into child labor in order to cut costs. I didn't even think of the Native American, Amish, and other populations that support entire communities with their crafts. They are horribly affected by this law as well. I don't see how this message perpetuates any kind of hatred... in fact I see this message as one of love, support and RESPECT for a way of life for thousands of people that could very well be eliminated."

Exactly, btw, last post was only in regard to the the hate thing,

but yes, you are exactly right and I am seeing it already, just with women right in our own backyard. So many are literally begging just on Craigslist, losing jobs, losing their homes [many of them single parents but many married with children] and they are selling what they can,

and this is only going to get worse, and several women I met are or were planning, especially around Christmas, of going back to sewing, etc.,

now they will be effected too and for so many women that have few resources, this law could thrust them into some horrid horrid living.

What irks me so much about this law is when reading the Congressional write ups for this law [and I wish I had of known about it before], they were so militant in driving this law home and they made if very clear, in their language,

that they were going after the small time business, American made, etc. The one or couple of drafts of the law by, what's their name, Consumer Protection Children, Pirg, ah, can't think of the exact name [I just read over them today] but they were in no doubt, targeting home businesses and small retailers. Its like they blamed them for this lead problem,

not much word in regards to the transnationals [which produce in nation after nation and when their is any laws they just uproot and pull up shop and go elsewhere], there wasn't much even said about them.

Not in the couple of proposed drafts I read on the bill [it was bill then, law now].

AND if the language of those legislative bills is anything to go by,

they are in no way in any mind to compromise with us, no way at all, because they have stated in their own drafts of bill that we are the problem, that manufacturers who aren't quote, "Regulated" are the problem.

The issue with overseas is that this law can't be enforced overseas,

why the Teeth of this law, will be targeted at you, those of you and at the woman knitting hats down the street. That way the heat is off the big retailers, they have a scapegoat now.

And I know, there will Still be lead in products on store shelves, simply because, they can't enforce this law in manufacturing shops in China, those are under China's laws. [same elsewhere too]

I am, come to think of it, going to contact Ralph Nadar on this, the Green Party, because it would be interesting [and needed] to have some thorough investigation on how this Law really is going to protect children/consumers,

they can't even protect imported food, even With laws. I don't know how they plan on enforcing this law with imports,

maybe to some degree but not in the degree in which the public thinks. It would be worth looking into.

Cecilia

[Former_Member]

All I know is that the majority of approved third party labs are IN China. Somehow I highly doubt that questionable imported products are going to be one iota safer. Couple that with the fact that importers are required to have one compliance certificate per shipping carton... which won't EVER get checked. The port system is so unbelieveably understaffed and underfunded (even after 9/11). It would be the easiest thing in the world for lead tainted imports to cross into the US. Unless there is a CPSC worker inspecting every carton, it's a guarantee.

[Former_Member]

Ok, I'm sitting here reading that and nodding my head, "yes" to a lot of it. It really does seem so wrong, more than it just being a law to help keep our kids safe. When I think about the CPSIA and read about it, it strikes something deep in me. Like not just my right to create and earn money with my needle, but part of my light as a mother and woman is in danger of being extinguished. To comply with this (if I had the money) would mean I could no longer used repurposed fabrics. That means all of my embroidered and vintage linens will go unused. I can't use my beautiful old quilts and repurpose them into something useful. In other words, not only can I not be responsible with recycling but I can't use anything with historical relevance. I'm probably not making sense here......

[Former_Member]

This is way, way, way, way, way too long.

And you're taking this to extremes. Just because you can't sew doesn't mean your career's choices are between slavery and prostitution.

This law is horrible, but you're taking it like an Apocalypse.

[DecadenceEmporium]

men/boys make things too.

[DecadenceEmporium]

'its the end of the world as we know it'

c'mon everybody, you know the words, sing along with me!

lol

[Former_Member]

You can tell how I'm feeling about this tonight when I've left a comment here and "This is one of the worst times in my life... from the
TheTutuFairy
I think I need a good dose of prayer and positive thinking.....and maybe some chocolate.

[Former_Member]

Celia , you are right on the money in your observations about the world, whether they are radical, I think they are accurate and I share alot of the same observations and think I weigh in as a conservative. The demographics of who this law will effectively shut down are primarily women doing heritage and traditional work, many times as a way of avoiding being oppressed. The law will not , I repeat will not in any way shut down or harm production for the origonal source of unsafe toys. They are even starting a co to produce spectrometers,ie xrfguns. That might drive the cost of the equipment down for a few thousand. Since I'm a recycler and my initial layout for materials is ridiculously low, I can afford to go the route of competing with them as far as knowing what my materials have in them and beating them at this game cause ya know what? A spectrometer can test for things like chronium too. Big deal , $390.00 for renting the xrfgun and sticking it to them at their own game. I may offer to do the children's section at the local library too if I have additional time. In order to fight the constitutionality of this law we need proof that our materials are safe ,and I just thought of this, has anyone sued the factories in China for selling lead infested toys which may or may not be accidentally introduced into our country and the world? They knew what they were selling. They should be totally out of buisness. Which brings me back to how I plan to get through this. Maybe I watch too much TV, but I have always wanted my own spectrometer and now I get to test my recycled materials not just for lead but probably arsenic, definately chromium and two other nasty things. Of coursse the law does not require me to do this additional testing. But if I choose to be non-compliant and challenge the constitutionality of this law, I'm ready with the facts ,just the facts.

[Former_Member]

I was acctually waiting for a thread like this, since ive heard about the whole issue for the first time!

well, done, i think, this whole law is a lot of bs, coz most of the companies who can afford the testing get their stuff done and imported from china anyways, thats where the whole lead issue started.
its not about kids, really, imo, coz its pretty obvious that small and handmade business get kicked out of competition and suffer first when it come to expensive testing.

it makes me sick really, i wonder what is really behind all this 'protecting the kids stuff'
obviously most handmade stuff is made under far better and environmentally conscious conditions.
anyways, i didnt read all ur comments, but i definitely aggree with most of them.
whats ur email?
u can convo me too!:)

[Former_Member]

How can any of you be so snotty and discouraging to a person who puts their thoughts, feelings, passion for what they belive on a topic as meaningful as the political machine slowy and systematically taking away the beautiful things in life.

Saying that it's "way way way way to long"...you represent a lot of dickheads in the world who are too lazy and too institutionalized to think for themselves, to write the long letters, to have the long in depth conversations, to fight the good fight, to go out on a limb for a cause, to be the one in the office who stands up for what they believe while everyone rolls their eyes and makes fun of them behind their backs....yea, trying to edit or abridge someone's thoughts about what they truly believe in is incredibly offensive, and makes the original poster's point even more clear. That it's acceptable to squash the inspiration and creativity and heart out of everyone so we can be complacent and easily manipulated.

(Don't get your dander up, I'm not calling you a dickhead, just that what you said is sooooooo simple and sadly represents a mass view point.)

It's like you want to tame an amazing, uplifting, stimulating, human being who is brave and confident and gives us all something important to think about.

I agree with every word, every moment taken to put those thoughts, research, and feelings in writing!!!

Now I'll go research the topic myself and find out more.

Don't give up!! Don't be discouraged!! Don't let people wear you down!! That's the tactic in our world, to suck the life and inspiration out of people so we become consumers, afraid, controlled, zombies....

Thank you ever so much for sparking my own interest in this subject and the truth that surrounds it.

[Former_Member]

"The risk takers,the doers, the makers of things. Some celebrated but more often, men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom"

Barack Obama

[Former_Member]

Thank you, janedoethreads, for your passionate plea. I, for one, respect your voice and will not silence you.

"Feminism:

The collective empowerment of women grounded in connection to each other, to men, and to their children, honoring the preciousness of all life. Women shall have at least as much to say as men about everything--everything--in the arrangement of human affairs."

Bettina Aptheker, Professor at University of California, Santa Cruz
----------------
http://www.introtofem.org/Definition-of-Feminism-high.mp4

http://www.introtofem.org/

[Former_Member]

Although i am not an artisan, that has not precluded me from reading this discussion with interest. Much of what janedothreads has to say is very insightful and to the heart of the matter. Its very much about maintaining (and in the case of you small artisans) re-establishing big business hegemony. One of you is no threat to big business, but hey, get a multitude of you to come together to form a co-op in an organised way - now we have to put a stop to that.

I have one question to ask of those who are quite au fait with this new law: does the prescribed testing apply only to production and consumption within the US market and to imports into the US? Or does it also apply to exporting "contaminated" product from the US? That is, is testing mandatory for exports out of the US? I mean, really - what level of hypocrisy are we talking about here?

Keep fighting!
Immi

[Former_Member]

I'll be honest: I have a short attention span and a 3YO on my lap. I can't do more than skim it.

I also tend to be long-winded when I do get the chance to sit down and put my thoughts in writing, though, so I can't knock anyone for doing the same. :-)

Rabbithorns, I didn't see "hate." I saw upset, I saw seeing a sort of Global karma in all of this. I saw the view that this is merely one aspect of a complicated, convoluted world. I saw the idea that our government and the world have in the past and do in the present often treat the "little people" (and "little countries") like total cr@p, as if we have the right to trample them - and this is just one more example.

Maybe it's the 3YO wiggling around on my lap in a chilly basement with her head in my face, but I think janedoe has a point.

[NotMyTreeStore]

I love your passion, janedoethreads. Your post is inspiring. This law is so half-assed on so many levels that I've been looking at it from a practical, inc-the-moment perspective, but you're right that it threatens the craft heritage that has spanned generations. Even now, living in suburban United States where I don't *have* to sew for a living, my 5-year-old daughter loves to sew with me, watch me sew, use my scrap fabric to make things for her dolls. The other day, she proudly told my husband, "Mommy is teaching me how to sew." Of course, that could still happen without me selling online, but I think it's an amazing thing she's picking up just by watching me craft and then sell my creations here: independence, self-sufficiency, creativity, determination.

Perhaps this issue needs more than we've been giving it. More than letter-writing and phone calls and polite e-mails. Maybe it's time we question the Constitutionality of it and *really* call to the carpet the politicians who have pushed it in all its messed-up, illogical glory.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Marking

[littledebrarae]

WEll said. Fighting for our own rights is not HATE, it's SURVIVAL.

Sillyturnip, you're making PERFECT SENSE.

[Former_Member]

Standing up for rights is a necessary, courageous, and honorable calling. Fighting and blaming other people for what's happening in our lives is not.

It's a philosophical difference. But that difference affects your mind and the minds of those with whom we speak.

I'm not perfect at it, I admit. But I would have loved to hear what janedoethreads had to say without all the blame and with facts and actionable suggestions. Call this person, write this person, gather these people together and help, make a microloan to a poor country today, learn about existing U/S. lead safety laws that you already must comply with and remind the CPSC we already have these laws we are in compliance with....

Because she's right in that there is tremendous imbalance for both men and women. Beatniks of the 40s and 50s (yes, they were actually around in the 40s) were men's response to feeling stuck in their traditional roles as feminism was women's. Men don't want to grow up, go to college, work for other people in a factory or office 5 days a week for 50 years and then die. And women don't want to scrape by while they offer goods and services that are the backbone of the world.

I love radical. But activism as it is most often expressed - angry and blaming - is not my cup of tea.

Greenpeace came up to Alaska where oil companies were required to fund independent citizen's monitoring groups. The groups tested the land and water to make sure oil companies were in compliance with EPA standards.

They came to our area yelling and screaming that because we were funded by the oil companies, it was all crooked and our claims that in our area, the tests showed even better than EPA standards, were false.

They did their own tests after making a big stink. Two days later the papers published their tests and Greenpeace slunk away in the night, because their tests showed the same thing as ours....

You can keep activism. And give me radical, old-fashioned revolutionary American action any day.