{"id":1838,"date":"2014-02-10T07:36:04","date_gmt":"2014-02-10T15:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/awitchsashram\/?p=1838"},"modified":"2014-02-09T15:14:45","modified_gmt":"2014-02-09T23:14:45","slug":"maxim-monday-gain-possessions-justly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/awitchsashram\/2014\/02\/10\/maxim-monday-gain-possessions-justly\/","title":{"rendered":"Maxim Monday: Gain Possessions Justly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Oh wow. Is this Maxim ever a knot to untangle.<\/p>\n

Of course I agree. Everything we gain should be done justly. I\u2019d like to think that I do so: I do not steal, I pay for what I purchase. I\u2019m in the clear, right?<\/p>\n

Argh, not so quickly. I think on the easiest level, the one over which I have most control, yes: I do gain possessions justly. But on a larger, macro level, so much of what we, in the Western world, possess is purchased at the expense of others, and if not our environment, then environments elsewhere. Those facts do not embrace what I believe is just. So what are we to do?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By Andrea Westmoreland. Bald Eagle at Tomoka Landfill, via Wikimedia Commons. The patriotism of waste.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My family reduces, reuses, recycles. We purchase much of our goods used, accept hand-me-downs, and try to limit our consumption. We do our best to shop the farmer\u2019s market, support local businesses and farmers, and make what we can. I\u2019m good at cooking, but can\u2019t sew. I breast feed and cloth diaper, reducing the environmental impact and need for goods that come with having babies.<\/p>\n

And yet, it\u2019s never enough. There are no trophies for being 100% off the grid (nor is it completely possible) or for being the most fair-trade purchasing, minimalist consumer. I don\u2019t think we can ever be completely, absolutely just in our gaining of things. The fuel I put in my used car is not just. The laptop on which I do my writing is not just. The packaging in which I find most of my organic food is not just. Most food is not just. It\u2019s overwhelming to realize this.<\/p>\n

I press on. I do what I can. Most of us could take more and greater steps towards deeper justice in our purchasing. But let us not be guilt-tripped by marketing that individual purchases will bring greater justice \u2013 whether it\u2019s buying something pink for breast cancer research funding, fair-trade chocolate or coffee to support farmers in developing nations, or getting our clothes at Goodwill. Sure, these things are helpful, but by placing the onus on consumers (as if we can buy our way to justice at all) corporations and governments can pretend that offering one or two \u2018more just\u2019 products absolves them of the large scale contributions to vast injustice \u2013 environmental, civic, and human rights based.<\/p>\n

On the surface this Maxim asks us to pay for what want, not to swindle others, and to think about justice in all of purchasing. Some us need shoes and don\u2019t have the luxury of hunting down the most eco-friendly options. Some of us are hungry and don\u2019t have the choice of organic, unionized farm-picked strawberries \u2013 or the option of strawberries at all. So press on in the ways that you can. Each of us can do our part to gain our possessions justly. And let us all advocate for the just attainment of possessions for all.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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