2008 Woodie Awards
Product (RED) a savvy solution
Dylan Kingsley Guest Columnist
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Opinion
Lisa Norris' column, "Product Red raises red flag" (1/24/08), has got it wrong.
I, too, have done a little research of my own on Product (RED), and can proudly say that I am an avid supporter.
When I read this column, I was sincerely appalled by the rejection of this effective and inspiring charity. Although Norris has a point when it comes to child labor possibly being used to produce the (RED) tennis shoes, I feel it is irrelevant to her argument. To say that she will not support a business that has quite possibly made one of the biggest impacts on the fight against AIDS in Africa because child labor may "possibly" be a factor is absurd. Would Norris also reject a charity that raised money for survivors of September 11th, simply because there are soldiers overseas still fighting and dying to protect the United States from a reoccurrence such as the terrorist attack on that day?
Doubtful.
Product (RED), as stated before, is supported and endorsed by celebrities, the wealthy and the average citizen. Bono has created a business plan and charity that I feel is more effective than Norris gave it credit for. As college students, we are limited by monetary restrictions or busy schedules, and cannot always help in areas in which we hold fervent convictions.
That said, instead of pretending that we have money and trying to encourage our peers to donate $160 to a non-profit organization, why not ask for a (RED) Apple i-Pod for our birthdays, considering the avenue is already established? In other words, why not make it a win-win situation?
Many people are worried when donating by phone or online to an organization that their contributions will not live up to expectations. When buying products from familiar brands such as Apple, The Gap and Converse, we are assured that our money is being used as promised, thanks to that trust and the relationships we have already built with these companies.
So, I leave Norris with this: There are far too many problems in our world, so many in fact that it is nearly impossible to even conceive of the idea that we can solve them all, at least not at once. But as educated individuals and tasteful consumers we can all do our part in making a difference for the better.
I am definitely Inspi(RED).
Dylan Kingsley is an undeclared freshman.
I, too, have done a little research of my own on Product (RED), and can proudly say that I am an avid supporter.
When I read this column, I was sincerely appalled by the rejection of this effective and inspiring charity. Although Norris has a point when it comes to child labor possibly being used to produce the (RED) tennis shoes, I feel it is irrelevant to her argument. To say that she will not support a business that has quite possibly made one of the biggest impacts on the fight against AIDS in Africa because child labor may "possibly" be a factor is absurd. Would Norris also reject a charity that raised money for survivors of September 11th, simply because there are soldiers overseas still fighting and dying to protect the United States from a reoccurrence such as the terrorist attack on that day?
Doubtful.
Product (RED), as stated before, is supported and endorsed by celebrities, the wealthy and the average citizen. Bono has created a business plan and charity that I feel is more effective than Norris gave it credit for. As college students, we are limited by monetary restrictions or busy schedules, and cannot always help in areas in which we hold fervent convictions.
That said, instead of pretending that we have money and trying to encourage our peers to donate $160 to a non-profit organization, why not ask for a (RED) Apple i-Pod for our birthdays, considering the avenue is already established? In other words, why not make it a win-win situation?
Many people are worried when donating by phone or online to an organization that their contributions will not live up to expectations. When buying products from familiar brands such as Apple, The Gap and Converse, we are assured that our money is being used as promised, thanks to that trust and the relationships we have already built with these companies.
So, I leave Norris with this: There are far too many problems in our world, so many in fact that it is nearly impossible to even conceive of the idea that we can solve them all, at least not at once. But as educated individuals and tasteful consumers we can all do our part in making a difference for the better.
I am definitely Inspi(RED).
Dylan Kingsley is an undeclared freshman.
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