The following article was written by Rob Everts, Co-President, Equal Exchange
Devastating. Disorienting. Frightening.
There’s no escaping it. Viscerally and pragmatically, the future looks really bleak as we absorb what transpired in this country last Tuesday.
For me, it was a flashback to when Ronald Reagan was elected. It felt unreal, like this could not possibly have happened. But it did happen. Boy did it. He convinced millions of Americans that government could only make their lives worse, not better, and followed through by starving it of funding in every way possible. When he destroyed the air traffic controllers union and declared war on organized labor, it precipitated a decline from which unions have never recovered. And that fact, along with tax policies that hastened the extreme income inequality we live amidst today, have left millions with little hope of ever improving their standard of living. Overseas, he sponsored unspeakable campaigns of torture and assassination of innocents in Central America and elsewhere.
So with this election comes the prospect of things worse than we can imagine. We have to start by acknowledging the pain and fear Trump’s election has triggered. Race-baiting, immigrant bashing and fear-mongering have a long and unfortunate history in our country. But I don’t recall ever seeing the total demonization of so many distinct groups of people who make up the fabric of American society. It seems every demographic absent white males was fair game for threat, humiliation and ridicule.
To cite just two of the constituencies who were targets of Trump’s venom, immigrants and communities of color have very real reasons to fear. Groups and individuals inclined to carry out hate crimes may feel new license to act. We may very well see a dramatic rise in immigration raids in communities and workplaces across the country.
I encountered an extreme example of this fear while canvassing an immigrant neighborhood in Nashua, NH the Saturday before the election. A Brazilian man told me matter-of-factly that if Trump won he would absolutely be returning to Brazil in anticipation of a climate of increased hostility. This man was a U.S. citizen.
Beyond this, we all feel the personal and policy threats that loom. We have a sick feeling about what is in store merely by invoking the words Supreme Court, climate change, health care.
But there is also a lot that we don’t know. Amid the lies, insults, misogyny, narcissism and its corresponding anticipated damage and destruction, are there any reasons for hope on the generally detail and fact-free policy ideas he put out?
- Were his anti-free trade tirades pure protectionist bluster to win votes of the millions who have lost so much, or can we find levers to actually win progressive changes in these deals that have benefited the well-placed and highly educated at the expense of millions here and abroad, including the farming communities we work with?
- Will his talk of paid family leave benefit those who need it the most?
- Will he follow through on his pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare, or throw a bone to his party leaders who are dedicated to shredding those components of the social contract?
Closer to home, we at Equal Exchange are taking stock in what this election means for us. For small scale farmers around the world. For those who are seeking to democratize a corporate controlled food system. For the hundreds of thousands of people who through their purchases and myriad other actions, have contributed to our success.
We are inspired by the millions of people who responded to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ straight talk about re-building our democracy and making it work for the many and not just the few. Many who voted for Sanders—and yes, many who voted for Trump—were rejecting the ruling elite that has long ignored the majority in favor of their corporate patrons.
In moments like this, we take great solace in finding ourselves in alliance with so many remarkable people and organizations. And we want to deepen these ties more than ever. We need to call out injustice where we see it, open ourselves to new alliances, and lend a hand to movements not necessarily central to our mission.
But we need to keep being true to who we are and share our vision for a better world. In fact, we need to rededicate ourselves to our mission of strengthening the position of small farmers and their cooperatives, work every day to be the best example of worker democracy that we can be, and engage “citizen consumers” more deeply than ever before. We know that as individuals, be it as consumers or as citizens, we don’t have a fraction of the power we have as when we organize.
Anticipating his death, that brave IWW organizer and songwriter, Joe Hill said, “Don’t mourn. Organize.” I am more in the mood to do both: Mourn. Then organize.
Si se puede.
I’m saddened by the doom and gloom in most of your message. I’m hoping that these are your own personal opinions and not the opinions of Equal Exchange as an organization. I have been a strong supporter of Equal Exchange, and your letter has shattered my confidence in your organization and you as a leader.
You say, “So with this election comes the prospect of things worse than we can imagine.” On the flip side, with this election also comes the prospect that things may be better than we can imagine.
1. We have the lowest labor participation rate (at 63%) since the 70s, in 40 years!
2. The number of Americans on food stamps increased by 13 million in the past 8 years. Increase of 42%!
3. 8 million more people are living in poverty, 17% more!
4. Our national debt has increased 77% in this time.
With staggering statistics like this, how could we possibly continue the way we have been? If we keep doing the same thing, we’re going to keep getting the same results. More and more low income citizens will be trapped in the welfare system, due to lack of jobs, and a significant portion is minorities. Is that what you’re mourning???
Where have you, as a leader, offered a glimmer of hope to your readers –
1. hope that our new president can bring jobs back to our country and create new jobs,
2. hope that our citizens can get off welfare and make a living to feed their families,
3. hope that they can feel good about themselves being productive members of our society again,
4. hope for our children that our country is not saddling them with more and more debt
5. hope that health insurance premiums are truly affordable so that families have money left after premiums to pay for food, clothing, and shelter,
6. hope that we have a lawful country so that my
You said, “Groups and individuals inclined to carry out hate crimes may feel new license to act. We may very well see a dramatic rise in immigration raids in communities and workplaces across the country.” I say “maybe we won’t!” You are giving Mr. Trump entirely too much credit. Because a significant portion of the demonization of groups of people came not from Mr. Trump. It came from media who took statements out of context and committed fear-mongering and race-bashing. Yes, maybe he said something once, but we heard it over and over again from the media. In fact, Hillary Clinton herself did race-bashing. Videos prove it. The misogyny – Mr. Trump employed more women in higher level positions and paid them better than did the Clinton Foundation. I could go on and on, but my point is – let’s not continue the fear-mongering and unfactual information.
Most importantly … WHERE IS OUR HOPE IN GOD??? He is the master controller of this universe! It was His will that Mr. Trump be president, just as it was that Mr. Obama was.
Well said.
Wow! Does this article represent the opinions of Equal Exchange? Our church is new to resaling Equal Exchange products so small farmers have help to make a living. The very left-leaning political stance represented in this letter is astounding for an organization that I would expect to be politically neutral.
Ginny,
Rob has written a personal reply to your comment, but his email was returned. Could you resend us your email address?
Thanks,
Phyllis Robinson
It seems this article has sparked a fear noted from the two responses dated November 14, 2016 that Equal Exchange is filled with “doom and gloom in most of your message” and showing a “very left-leaning political stance.”
As a longtime supporter of Equal Exchange and reading the article in a non-partisan manner based solely on context I see this article a little differently.
On November 8th we elected a President with the goal of placing a person in office who most closely identified with our beliefs. The intrinsic outcome was someone who campaigned on the premise of regaining control and acquisition of lost income through jobs taken by low income foreigners. We also voted to regain lost revenue which supports low or no income individuals who are in our opinion not deserving of such support. This includes but is not limited to abolishing trade deals with other countries.
Under the policies of the incoming administration the American middle and upper class population will reap the rewards of opportunities to have more jobs and fewer taxes which will result in our own increase of wealth.
But this will come at a cost to the poor, the immigrant and those who struggle to make a fair living in other countries who export to the United States. Here we see the fundamental message of the article above.
The higher taxes on imports from other countries will negate the gains promoted and achieved by Equal Exchange to provide a living and fair wage to workers on family farms in poor countries. We in the United States will purchase our coffee and other Equal Exchange goods from large corporations who can mass produce at a much lower cost and not be overly taxed due to domestic production. These large corporations will also be able to drive down the price paid to poorer countries who have no choice but to sell to the highest bidder whose bid will be determined by the cost of trade taxes when imported to the United States.
For those third world countries who have benefited through the Equal Exchange Co-op, the news truly is one of “doom and gloom.” But for those of us who voted for the incoming administration it is truly a message of Boon and Joy as we reap the benefits.
This is the concern I read in the article above on behalf of the writer for Equal Exchange. For their organization which looks out for those struggling to support their families, the change in US trade policies will have a great impact.
For us on the flip side of the coin who have been supporting Equal Exchange, we have to give some thought to the weight we place on personal gain verses the caring and compassion we have afforded the suppliers to Equal Exchange before the election. Have we changed our minds of helping the suppliers of coffee and other products we supported before in order to advance our own causes?
For me personally, I don’t mind paying a little extra for these products to ensure the farmers are getting a better profit for their work. As an American on the lower middle class rung of society, I understand I have much more to give because of the great wealth I have compared to those farmers.
In response to ‘Virgil’ I wish to point out this article isn’t about us Americans who have plenty and throw away 40% of our food each year. The article concerns those who work hard to seek a better life and for our sake we have made decisions to make their work harder but valued less.
As a Christian, I don’t believe it was God’s will for Trump or Obama to be President; it was the will of the people who voted for them. It is not God’s will for people to sin, that is our choice as we follow the world’s call for self instead of Christ’s call for others. Our HOPE IN GOD is for His Spirit to turn our hearts away from the world and self, to Christ and our neighbors who we are called to love. Amen
The Products I purchase from equal exchange are top quality. I am grateful for the people who make them and who make them available while adhering to such high standards of concern for the workers. It’s Noble.
However – this letter seems a bit hysterical, and while Reagan was not a saint, there were a few accomplishments that you seem to ignore in your editorial.
If you’re angry, I understand; you did not get what you wanted, But maybe close your eyes and take a deep breath (“Yah-Weh”) before writing such inflammatory things.
Everyone can share a story of wanting to “get away” as your Brazilian encounter in NH.
So – How can we avoid the downside you see from Reagan, if you consider Trump to be his second coming?
The letter you wrote won’t accomplish that.
Your cause is greater than either political party (I HOPE), and with hundreds of thousands of customers, you have begun the process of democratizing the food chain. Your success lies not in affecting the outcome of the political process, but rather in growing your market share.
You must attract customers and Farmers and shippers and everything needed in the supply chain. The Condemning Rhetoric above limits the people you can attract.to your cause. Growing your market IS Organizing.
Note also that all your customers won’t see IT the way you expressed your beliefs. I guess they are sinners too and deserve prayer
Thanks for sharing Rob. I too felt devastated that our country made such a poor choice at the ballot box last Tuesday. I supported Bernie in the primary and felt that his vision for America was definitely the best of the options.
The best we can do is do the best we can moving forward. Put our support and dollars behind organizations like EE that work to truly improve the lives of people, and keep working to change people’s minds one at a time.
I am so bothered by your letter that I wrestle with continuing to be a customer of yours (of which I have been for many years). You sell a good product, but I disagree with your politics and am offended by your need to preach to me. Get off your high horse Rob. Your arrogance is the reason Trump was elected. Btw…. I didn’t vote for him, or Hillary, as neither earned my vote. I wrote in the name of a former President I respect- Ronald Reagan.
Thanks to all who have shared their thoughts on my post-election reflections. The engagement (vs. apathy) is encouraging. I will just share this one brief reply, not seeking to touch on all points made by commenters.
While the opinions are mine alone, I would not have chosen this forum to share them if I believed they were inconsistent with the broad prevailing sentiment within our cooperative. I was moved to write because I know that the election results are extremely troubling to millions of Americans. The words and deeds toward women that surfaced in the campaign were unconscionable and unacceptable, especially from someone seeking the presidency. The increase in alleged hate crimes since November 8th does in fact have many communities now more fearful than ever before. In addition, I am alarmed by the many departures from truth during the campaign and the casual nature with which the President-elect spoke of such grave matters as the use of nuclear weapons.
Finally, rather than placing these thoughts somewhere on the left-right political spectrum, I believe they are simply responses to what may lie ahead based on what we all heard and saw in the months that preceded.
Rob, I appreciate your letter. While I have become convinced that all who voted for Trump were not misogynist and racist, I am convinced that all who voted for Trump were tolerant of misogyny, racism, name-calling, and ridicule. I hope that the writers who believe good will come from a Trump presidency are right, but his appointment of Steve Bannon as chief strategist and Myron Ebell, a climate-change skeptic, to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency have strengthened the worst of my fears. We shall have to wait and see, but what I have seen so far terrifies me.
Janna, what you say may be true, or, it may simply be the voters chose the rude candidate over the corrupt candidate, and corrupt system. As you say, we will have to wait and see. I hope and pray that President-elect Trump has a successful Presidency and that one day we can look back be glad that we worried for no reason. Happy Thanksgiving.