On Demand: Blood Sweat & TShirts.

So, Planet Green is one of my favorite channels- if you haven't checked it out yet- you probably should. Currently they are offering a series On Demand called Blood Sweat & Tshirts that originally aired on BBC in 2008. The series involves six young people who harbor qualities like:

1] I wear something once and throw it away.

2] Mom & Dad buy me everything so I value very little of my purchases.

3] I'm a fashion student with tunnel vision who thinks that clothes appear out of thin air.

4] All of the above.

BBC took them out of their comfort zone and planted them in factories that produce cheap clothing for retailers all over the world. They begin in the most humane and legal factories in india, and experience the process of the garment business ending up in fields picking cotton, and sleeping on the floor underneath the very sewing machines they slaved on for 19 straight hours. They are forced to abandon all of their comforts including spending money- they are paid the average wage of a factory worker, and are in turn forced to live off said wage. Their reactions, and total inabilities to cope are incredible. It's an eye opener.

Remember what I said about buying local? Are you doing that yet? Watch Blood Sweat & Tshirts-- you'll see what I mean.