If you are worried about the abuse and exploitation of non-human animals, you can become a vegetarian or a vegan. But if you worry about the abuse and exploitation of humans, there is no morally upright consumer choice you can make, short of growing 100% of your food yourself.
This is the main message of journalist Eric Schlosser in this 4min video produced by BigThink. In it, he summarizes the extent of the exploitation of poor people, mostly immigrants, in the restaurant industry, the meatpacking industry, and the production of fresh fruits and vegetables in the U.S.
Especially for the people who pick our produce, he insists, the working conditions “are more reminiscent of the mid-nineteenth century than they are with the twenty-first century.” It is “literally slavery.”
Watch here:
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 9
Working Conditions in Modern Agriculture - Treat Them Better — January 22, 2015
[…] Working Conditions in Modern Agriculture […]
F — January 22, 2015
Wouldn't say there's no option, maybe not one available to everyone though. You can buy directly from small producers and favor organics. But I'm sorta derailing the main issue here.
Happy Spring! | So Many Books — March 22, 2015
[…] working conditions in moderne agriculture? Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, created a four-minute video not long ago outlining how bad it is for many people working in the fields. It’s eye-opening. […]
Guest99 — January 7, 2016
I think he makes an interesting point. We often forget where our food comes from. We take for granted that the food is on our table and that there are people out there suffering to get us that food. We should be great full for the food and resources that we receive.
Kate Bush — September 16, 2021
Great, thanks. Avenged Sevenfold T-Shirt
Urge Overkill — September 16, 2021
I think he makes an interesting point. We often forget where our food comes from. Thanks. Wolfmother T-Shirt
Weezer — September 16, 2021
Great article, thank you. The Jesus Lizard T-Shirt
jone daily — December 16, 2024
In Brazil, the situation of workers in industries like agriculture, food production, and meatpacking is similarly concerning. Many workers, especially in rural areas, face harsh conditions with low wages and little protection. The exploitation of workers in the agriculture sector, where much of the produce and livestock are grown, is a major issue, with reports of grueling labor, inadequate housing, and lack of basic rights. Advocating for fair labor practices and supporting ethical brands is essential, but as Schlosser points out, the real challenge lies in addressing systemic issues of exploitation that extend beyond individual consumer choices.
To learn more about labor laws in Brazil, visit [Leis Trabalhistas no Brasil](https://calculadoradehora.com.br/leis-trabalhistas-no-brasil/).
kaven — December 16, 2024
In Brazil, the situation of workers in industries like agriculture, food production, and meatpacking is similarly concerning. Many workers, especially in rural areas, face harsh conditions with low wages and little protection. The exploitation of workers in the agriculture sector, where much of the produce and livestock are grown, is a major issue, with reports of grueling labor, inadequate housing, and lack of basic rights. Advocating for fair labor practices and supporting ethical brands is essential, but as Schlosser points out, the real challenge lies in addressing systemic issues of exploitation that extend beyond individual consumer choices.
To learn more about labor laws in Brazil, visit Leis Trabalhistas no Brasil.