greater things

Being White. 2

The topic of gentrification reminds me that in general, there are ramifications for everything we do. I think this is particularly challenging for privileged people, because even if we live in a poor or under-resourced neighborhood, we can often afford the drive to another neighborhood to buy nicer things. I'm leaning over and over again from the people who inspire me that the vehicle for gentrification is money.

My friend (and co-worker) (and neighbor! she lives two blocks away) Rachel has inspired me to think deeper about the impact of our daily lives. I really love talking with her because she's been thinking in this direction much longer than I have, and she has the heart to see things through.

I'll always remember hearing the Walmart reps in Food Inc. say that it's not hard for them to decide to sell organic products if that's what the customers want. We truly are voting every time we make a purchase. Any purchase! So I'm voting local, organic, and pro labor rights.


Now is a really good time for Jake and I to start practicing ethical consumption,  because our budget is so simple. Here's where our money goes monthly: - rent - donations/ tithing - groceries - public transportation - car insurance - gas - cell phones - health insurance
The basics. Right? So before we get too grown up and have too many more complicated bills, we want to begin practicing ethical principles for buying.

Something new that I've been convicted about is how many resources I waste on clothes. I don't buy many new clothes, but it still seems silly to buy so many new things when there are great second hand stores to be found. I'm committing to not buying any retail clothing until the end of the year, it's very liberating to think about all of the resources we can save by recycling clothes!

Now about groceries ... our biggest opportunity to choose between local and non-local. Here's where I admit that I'm really spoiled and I have an awesome local grocery store where I can buy everything except underwear, clothes hangers, and beer. I've thought it through. We are committed to supporting them, so we've had to switch some of the brands we usually buy. I know everyone doesn't have this option, so I'm really thankful.

That's her on the left in all her glory. The most complicated line in our budget is definitely groceries. This is where we have the most freedom to support I've written before about how we decide to buy organic or non-organic produce.

I appreciate your feedback on this little journey of mine. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I'd love to hear more about what your neighborhood is like and if you have a resource like my heavily grocery store or not. Honesty, I don't know what I'd do without that place.

There's more to be said about gentrification, being white, and advocating for your neighborhood. Particularly when it comes to buying a home, I hear. But I'm keeping these thoughts within the realms of my experience.

What do you think about all of this? 
Am I off my rocker? 
Do you have a community that encourages you to invest in your neighborhood?

Resources:
Organic Buying
Labor rights
Why Humane is more important than organic milk.