Terms do not apply to organizations

After following the letters to the editor for the past two years, I feel I too must throw my two cents into the mix.

While reading the many letters relating to the sweatshop issue I have realized that many do not understand the meaning of the words communist and fascist. These two terms are often used as intended slurs, but rarely is thought given to their actual meanings. Communism is a theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage. While fascism is a system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

I do not believe Purdue Students Against Sweatshops (PSAS) or the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) promote either of these systems. PSAS is simply a student organization centered on bringing Purdue’s involvement in the abuse of human lives to the attention of the student body and the administration. Meanwhile, the executive summary for the WRC states it is a body organized "to establish a system of licensee verification that maximizes the respect of human rights and accountability to their constituents." Also, "the WRC seeks to open up conditions in the apparel industry to public scrutiny and respond to the needs of the workers sewing licensed products for institutions of higher education."

While you may not agree with their missions, I think it is apparent that neither the collectivizing of property nor any of the fascist descriptive characterize PSAS or the WRC. If the purpose of this forum is to inform readers, then it is in the best interest of all involved to eliminate the dispraise and to adhere to the discussion of sweatshops.

Sean Nowling

Senior, School of Science

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