# 1 Brands & Logos

I agree with Klein's argument that we cannot simply choose to ignore brands. Daily life in most of America includes an attack of advertisements, logos, and brands. This attack is more than just images on a screen; like Klein pointed out in the documentary No Logo, these companies are not only selling us their product but they are selling an idea, dream, or and an image that associates with, and gives value to their brand.

The majority of brands I came across while walking around campus included Coca-Cola, Doritos, Gatorade, Subway, and of course the biggest beast of them all Nike.

 Like many other students I see, I am wearing a pair of Nike sneakers to class. After lunch I walked back up to campus and noted seeing the "Swoosh" more than any other logo.

 This seems very casual on a college campus. Nike's logo is present on more shoes, t-shirts, shorts, and jerseys than any other brand. I think this is partially because of Nike's quality but also the terrific job of bombing their logo across the American public. As a Nike consumer myself, I feel the American public enjoys the products they produce but dose not realize the injustice their labor practices create globally.

This summer I traveled to Belize and noticed many locals walking the streets, mostly dirt roads, barefoot. I began to think about how common it is for people in other areas of the world to live without shoes at all. As I continued to roam the streets I saw people selling loads of shoes. The Nike logo instantly stood out, but the shoes sold on the street were not of the quality I would find at home. A few days later I was shopping at a corner store when a man approached me and asked me if he could buy the Nikes I was wearing. I was surprised, but refused to sell them. I knew Nike was  I now realize that Nike has created such a strong brand that it holds value around the world. Even people in Central America have been "bombed" by Nike.

To think of a world without the Swoosh, Adidas logo, or any other brand name seems unreal. I wonder what it was like in Pullman before Nikes, Reeboks, and Vans? I can't even imagine Edward Murrow wearing Nike shoes to class, or a Nike basketball jersey on a hot day.

As long as I have been alive Nike has been advertising their brand and logo. I think this goes for most of the young adults from my generation It's no surprise I have mostly Nike shoes in my closet. I think most Americans enjoy Nike products but the way they are made oversees is a world wide social justice issue.

I came across this video online, which highlights some of the injustice... 

Human trafficking in Nike's sweatshop factory in Malaysia - YouTube

This Australian news report illustrates some of the power Nike's international factories hold over the employees creating their products. This power includes using contracts and passports to trap workers. Living conditions as well as working conditions are horrible, and they have been for years. I think that globalization is negatively affected by Nike's international business because it is causing so much injustice for those who work in their factories. I think practices like this are also affecting the notion of post-democracy because even though the work is being done oversees America benefits from factories like these. It should be our duty as a democracy to insure that workers at our factories are given employment rights and decent wages.

Some possible response questions:

How can Americans change the practices of Nike's oversees practices?

What ways could employees at the Malaysian factory disrupt "Business as usual"?

If there were disruption, like a strike, from the employees at this factory how would the management at these factories react? What tactics would be likely used?