Radioheads video for the song, “All I Need” looks at the parallel lives of a boy in a western, comfortable situation, which we would consider normal and healthy, and a boy in a southeast Asian country, making the other boys shoes. It’s incredible to see the many resources available, and the many news articles and web-sites that help raise awareness of this issue. In 2001, when I first learned about this issue, it was much more difficult to find information. How the world has changed! But still human trafficking is the third most lucrative criminal activity in the world, so as wonderful as it is that the word is getting out, there is still a great deal to be done.

This video raises the issue of the production of goods, and that we all unknowingly support human trafficking and slavery in our daily lives. The Sweat Free Communities  web-site gives info about the issue, as well as opportunities to take action, and links as to where you can purchase sweat-free goods. Coffee is a well-known area where people are often not paid fairly for their efforts at producing coffee which we here in the U.S. drink with little awareness of the price paid for that sweet cup o’ joe! This web-site, with basic info about Unfair Trade, gives an idea of the practices of most coffee companies. Even if they company uses fair trade practices, which is determined by the Fair Trade Federation, there is no guarantee that forced labor is not involved in some way. One of my favorite roasters, who I trust because he travels extenstively to the cooperatives from which he purchases the bean’s, is Dean’s Beans, out of Northampton, MA. Tasty!

Back to the video-Danicar’s blog has a bunch of info about the video, as well as other sites that have information about it. To view the video, click on the play button below.