Amber Randolph
By Amber Randolph
I recently found myself rummaging through my vast and overstuffed closet. Looking over an assortment of tags, I found that I had shirts from Mexico, shoes from Brazil, and accessories from China. I was beginning to feel like an experienced world traveler.
With one last glimmer of hope of finding a product made in my homeland, I turned to my “American Eagle” shirt. Ironically, it said, “Made in Pakistan.” I had always felt like a good citizen, faithfully contributing to the economy through after-Thanksgiving-Day sales and buy-two-get-one-free jewelry specials.
But sitting in my closest, glaring over my assortment of clothes, shoes and other apparel, I no longer felt like a contributing member of society. I felt guilty. The money I spent on products made in Mexico, Indonesia and various countries around the world may not have contributed to the American economy. I began to question the outsourcing of American jobs and the effects of globalization on our national economy.
What brought this change of heart? The answer is my participation in Virginia Wesleyan College’s “Journey Towards Democracy.” As a student topic developer and facilitator, I was charged to discuss the relevancy of democracy with fellow students, staff and faculty and community members.
Through hours of reading and the informed and enthusiastic guidance of my faculty partner, Dr. Dan Margolies, I found that democracy was not only relevant, but also essential to practically every aspect of my life. After contemplating the relevancy of democracy pertaining to the issues of national security, technology, environmentalism and globalization, I can no longer perform many daily tasks without thinking of their political implications.
When I pump gas into my car, I think about oil drilling and the destruction of wildlife habitats in Alaska. I can no longer walk down the Virginia Beach ocean front strip without searching for face-recognition cameras and questioning my privacy. I am unable to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes, shopping, without considering the possible sweatshop labor used to manufacture my shoes. The democracy dialogues have turned my world upside down.
Even though I can never shop in peace again, I think that the perspectives and knowledge gained through this process were an important, if not essential, revelation. Every citizen should know and consider the political implications of their actions. My experience has taught me that democracy goes much farther than voting. It permeates every action and decision that I make.