#2

I am involved in the place in which I live. Why? Because I'm here. 

Whether I like it or not, or realize it or not, I'm involved. As a pedestrian, when I cross the street, people in cars in the road must react to this, hopefully by stopping. Because they have to stop, they miss the light a couple blocks down, and sitting through another cycle at the intersection may make them late to work for the third time, and their boss gives them the boot. I could continue with this one scenario, but I'll stop there.

We are all so intricately tangled in each other's lives and the well being of Earth because we are social and simply because we live here. The food we eat is it's own kind of politics. For example, where I get my food and where it comes from creates a place of meaning for me. Why does it mean anything to me? Because I need food, and it’s nice to know where it comes from. Do I choose to eat food that does not travel far between the farm and the dining table? Whether or not, I'm supporting some sort of economy. Either I'm buying from a farm 3000 miles away or 3.5 miles down the road. Both are connected to their own local and global economy. Another element of the politics of place (either local or global) is at the farm, are the people and animals treated fairly and humanely? Unfortunately, most large commercial businesses are able to get away with poorer care for their employees and animals because they are powerful enough to do so. As a result, their products are cheaper because they can sell it for less and still make a profit. More customers buy the cheaper product, indirectly supporting poor care for employees and animals. The “fair trade,” “local,” small businesses suffer because they do the morally correct thing, but must sell the same product at a higher price so they too can earn a profit.