Consumer Freedom



 After analyzing the clip “What is The Center for Consumer Freedom,” I have found that this video is essentially implying that organizations such as PETA and the Humane Society don’t build public awareness, but instead are very deceptive and conceiving.  This clip also addressed the issue of the government’s involvement with the choice in what Americans should eat.  They believe that these organizations shouldn’t become a factor into the choices one makes on how healthy their diet is.  The “bottleneck corporations” are truly the ones who hold the power in what we eat.  The accessibility and media advertisements of the foods sold in stores and in restaurants by these large corporations is what has sent our nation into the obese epidemic we are facing today.  They are targeting families in the middle class and lower income housing with cheaper processed foods that are more accessible and extremely subdued in preservatives.   We have fallen under the spell of their marketing scheme. 

We can’t help but consume these products because it is all we know.  We can’t change the way we live just to “fix” the problem.  Instead, we have become complacent and show empathy about what is happening, but will never take the initial steps to start a movement.  Cost of all natural foods in comparison to these cheap processed foods that produced by these “bottleneck corporations” keep us all from making any progress.  It is difficult especially in times of economic distress to make a full lifestyle change.  We can say we will no longer consume these products due to personal values and beliefs, but how long does this last when facing the other challenges life has to offer. Consumption can be a playing factor in facing these markets in the sense we are in control of their revenue, but how much of the population has decided to rebel.  The constraint of time has also become an issue when being the provider of your family conflicts with your profession.  It is inevitable that you will gear towards those quick restaurants that serve these unhealthy foods, or buy groceries that are sponsored by these larger corporations to make your “life that much easier.”   It is difficult to take the several hours of food preparation to provide a healthy good quality meal for your family.  It has become this ongoing self-dialogue that will never be faced until these markets are challenged.  

Internationalism is the basis and principle of cooperation among the nations, as well as the promotion of the common good and the devotion of interest to each nation.  In this video clip provided by the “center of consumer freedom” I have found that it neglects any sense of the definition of this concept.  This video is implying that these organizations are not providing honest information, but instead are using sympathetic tactics to draw attention to their foundations.  By attacking these organizations the center of consumer freedom is going against the greater good.  This also insists that these corporations should be in control when in all reality they are the ones who are outsourcing their products to third world countries for the cheapest production.  This ties into the contradiction of labor laws and slavery that is occurring within these factories and plantations.  Internationalism is not being addressed because these larger corporations have created a gap between powers among these countries facing economic depressions taking advantage of their service and resources. 

How this ties into the issues of racism, sexism, class, and location is when consumer markets are targeting demographic groups that fit into these stereotypes.  For an example they are marketing towards lower class minority families through accessibility and cost.   Class and racism occurs when the corporations marketing tactics are geared towards Mexican and African American families who can’t afford anything else but their products. Sexism occurs when these goods revolve around “what men are supposed to eat” while watching the big game and what is considered to be the savory foods and sweets that are most commonly consumed by females.  Children are also targeted when the unhealthiest products are framed around what is most desirable for youth, placing such items at eye level with bright colors and identifiable media figures, playing into the location and placement of these products.  All of these discriminatory actions are taken in consideration when producing these goods, but are purposely done to receive the most income.    

As Patel has addressed in his book “Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System,” we are blinded by what these corporations have provided in our supermarkets.  Even though it may seem like we have plenty of options, we driven towards the appeal of the products that are controlled by these larger corporations.  There may be hundreds of types of apples, but in reality we only buy about five of them due to the marketing strategies led by these corporations.  They are truly in control of human consumption and are making it so their product is what is in highest demand.  We no longer have a voice and the power of our consumption has become invisible. 

ARE WE AT FAULT TOO?