I firmly believe that if you are going to drastically change your views on something, you have to be able to admit where you have been wrong in the past. So, in alignment with that belief system, I will be the first to admit my lack of prior knowledge on the fast fashion industry.
Just a few months ago, if you had asked me where my Shein top came from, I wouldn’t have truly been able to tell you. I definitely knew that fast fashion was considered bad, but to be completely honest, that was the extent of my knowledge. Despite my growing understanding of punk politics, this topic is one that I have been painfully unaware of for far too long. Although I do not consider myself ‘punk’, my respect for the subculture is what sent me down this rabbit hole.
Over 75 million factory workers worldwide are employed by fast fashion companies. Of that 75 million, only less than 2% earn a living wage. The conditions under which these people, including children, have to work is absolutely insane. I’m talking 14-16 hours, seven days a week, for less than minimum wage. These brands do this because they are money hungry, and because legally they can, regardless of how unethical it is.
Do you see why punks don’t support this? Two major pillars of the sect are antiauthoritarianism; the rejection of any central power; and anarchy. If being punk is to be “for the people”, then not supporting fast fashion seems to be a no-brainer. In addition to that point, another ideal of punk culture would be anticonsumerism– the reason being that over consumption only feeds the beast that is greed, systemic power, and the social hierarchy. By under consuming, punk people help the growing clothing waste problem and do not support the unjust labor.
Fast fashion may be cheap, but if money was really the problem, why not buy second-hand? This was the eye opener for me. I realized that by turning a blind eye to the wrongdoings of the industry, I was directly supporting the villains behind it. I truly believe you should listen to punks- don’t give these companies your money and support.
