Comments on: Is the ‘Made In China’ Backlash Racist?

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:10:21 +0000

I work in the apparel business and I can tell you that there absolutely IS a racist connotation to the attitudes people have towards chinese made goods. Its my firm belief that if all the same environmental conditions were the same but China was a country of poor ass WHITE people there wouldn’t be nearly the backlash.

By: Elly D.

Elly D. — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Thank you Alice for sending a clearer message about Chinese manufacturing. I guess it isn’t fair to judge everyone the same way. If China grows a greener textile garden, then the seeds that were planted by sustainable conscious designers were worth the effort.

By: Vinny

Vinny — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:56:00 +0000

The other comments are very good. I don’t boycott Made in China just for ecological and safety reasons but also as protest to American companies outsourcing jobs. I realize a large part of the outsourcing problem is the consumer; as long as consumers buy the cheaper made elsewhere products, companies will continue to not provide domestic employment.

By: Luanne

Luanne — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:52:00 +0000

Interesting angle, Amy, and I agree we can’t be biased against China without solid evidence – such as the tainted milk and market fish that swim in polluted waters. But I do think we could make clothes here without outsourcing. It isn’t a given that designers must turn to China.

By: Mswandas

Mswandas — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:16:00 +0000

I don’t think it’s racist at all to approach Chinese manufacture with caution. First of all there is the air miles to consider. Also it is well known that Chinese manufacturing has had problems with human rights abuses. Of course not all companies exploit workers, but it’s something that needs to be taken into consideration. Even the biggest companies are struggling with maintaining standards, so it will be even harder for smaller ones.

By: Amytropolis

Amytropolis — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:42:00 +0000

I agree Elton and Sara. Everyone wants a quick buck but I am hoping that with an elevated consciousness about what we’re wearing and even eating, we’ll start changing the way by which we consume.
That would mean holding the people (and ourselves) who clothe and feed us more accountable. This isn’t as easy as it sounds obviously.

By: Elton Sites

Elton Sites — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:03:00 +0000

Of course, China companies are not all the same. There are a few good ones out there who adhere to international standards but these few ones were overwhelmed by majority of companies who are just in business for a quick buck.

By: Sara Ost

Sara Ost — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:33:00 +0000

Guilt, NIMBYism, nationalism, too. We are naturally drawn to simplistic notions as humans – they’re appealingly easy to grasp and deal with. It’s the same with the locavore movement and the vegan movement. These are complex issues. It’s convenient to say “screw China” or “I’ll eat locally only” or “No more meat”…and overlook the fact that a particular fashion designer may be more green by manufacturing in China, or that a locally-produced food product may be more energy intensive to make than something carted in from another place, or that the vegan mock meat is a highly processed monocropped protein from half a world away where a big swatch of rainforest was chopped down to grow it.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Alice.