If you're thinking about asking for or giving some books, coffee, chocolate, rugs or clothing for Christmas I have a few recommendations for you. I've also solicited for some ideas from a few of my friends who work in several different area of justice ministries so hopefully over the next few posts I can come up with quite a few resources for you.
Books
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert tops my list this year. I first read this book about a year ago and have been pondering it ever since. This is also a great book for a discussion group. Each chapter has questions to consider and discuss at the end and some group exercises.
Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade - and How we Can Fight It by David Batstone is a informative look at modern slavery.
Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy by Kevin Bales another look at modern global slavery.
Everyday Justice by Julie Clawson. As the title suggests this book is about everyday choices that we make in the marketplace and how those choices effect the lives of the people who make, grow or harvest the goods we consume.
Chocolate
How about something fairly traded or single sourced? Several brands make good and very good chocolate that is also grown and harvested w/o slave labor. Theo Chocolate, Equal Exchange, Divine Chocolate, and Dagoba Chocolate are all commonly available in the US at gourmet shops, Whole Foods and other health food retailers. Trader Joe's also has a fair trade chocolate bar available.
Coffee
The best coffee is locally roasted and fairly traded. Locally roasted, so you know the beans are fresh, you can reduce fuel use in shipping and also to support your local economy. Fairly traded, so you know that not only were the farmers paid a fair price for the coffee but they also reserve their best beans for fair trade buyers. Organic and Shade grown are important too. If you can't find a good fair trade organic, shade grown coffee roaster in your area try some of the brands in your local health food store or an online retailers like Equal Exchange, Larry's Beans or Pura Vida coffee.
Next time: tea, clothing, rugs and jewelry
