The business the United States does overseas has dire consequences for our local communities. When companies send work to countries across the globe, it affects the economic wellbeing of individuals all over the world. Citizens in this country lose their jobs since companies can feel they can pay employees lower wages in other countries. This creates even a larger divide between the have's and the have-not's in this country. It also puts social workers at the forefront of the negative effects globalization can have. Community practice can be a powerful force in working to create new opportunities for our citizens. Social workers not only protect people in our country but can work to advocate for workers' rights in countries being industrialized.
Locally, in thinking about the city of Portland and more broadly the state of Maine, there is a big push to "Buy Local" and support the local economy. Though it is on a much smaller scale than what one usually thinks of hearing "globalization," there is a strong correlation. Where individuals spend their money is a social justice issue. Money is kept in the community, locals are employed, locals purchase from local businesses, and the cycle continues. Though there have been positive effects of globalization, one cannot ignore the negative consequences. When communities are self-sustaining, everyone benefits. Social work and economics are not mutually exclusive.
Hey Kate, thanks for your thoughts on this! Your post got me thinking about a book I read this summer. It was called "The End of Food," and was focused on food economics (a real page turner, but I slowly chipped away at it). It gave a realist perspective on food sustainability, and delved into the benefits and draw backs of the buy local movement - a lot of the negativity I was uncomfortable with, but really pushed my thinking to a broader scale of what is sustainable, and what it takes to feed the world - which definitely requires a balance of sustainable large scale practices (globalization) coupled with localized production and education. One of our other classmates (Ann Malin - you might have a class with her) is really interested in nutrition, and it's role in social work, and this connection to global practice that you wrote about jumped out at me!
ReplyDeleteThe culture in Portland, and the rest of Southern Maine, to keep things local is one of the pieces I love about this community. There is a sense that we should support each other by supporting our neighbor's business that is I feel is genuine and personal. The world tries to swallow us up with everything going on everywhere all the time, but when you go to the local farmer's market time seems to slow down a bit. It helps keep things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteI read something recently which addressed the major issue of supermarkets (locally) throwing away SO MUCH perfectly edible food. Unfortunately I couldn't locate the article but I did come across an article from last year. It is now illegal, in France, for supermarkets or grocery stores in general to throw away edible food. Interestingly enough, this article touches on how supermarkets in the United States throw away unbelievable amounts of food. I've included a link...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eater.com/2015/5/26/8663151/its-now-illegal-in-france-for-grocery-stores-to-throw-away-edible-food
I feel as though if communities were able to provide for their neighborhoods on smaller scales then we would be able to better gauge how much food will suffice. With a better understanding of how much a community can produce versus consume, I feel as though communities could organize the distribution of excess food to those who need it more efficiently.
Thanks for posting this article! I know.. it is crazy how much food gets tossed when it could be feeding hungry people...
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