The World Bank estimates released in August 2008 show that about 1.4 billion people in the developing world (one in four) were living on less than $1.25 a day in 2005, down from 1.9 billion (one in two) in 1981. About half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. 40,000 people die every hour from easily preventable diseases.

The film “Black Gold” [to be shown on campus on April 22 @ 4pm] is a poignant view of some of the mechanisms that sustain global poverty. It describes the impoverished coffee farmers in Ethiopia, whose poverty results from the impersonal markets: the New York and London commodity exchanges. hundreds of millions of peasants. These markets determine the fate of hundreds of millions of peasants.

The current global development regime of “neo-liberalism” is based on the promotion of such free markets, free trade and free movement of capital. It is a regime comprised of the most powerful multinational institutions: the IMF, World Bank and WTO. (“The Unholy Trinity”). These institutions, linked with the enormous power of financial capital (where trillions of dollars move daily around the world in and out of “emerging markets”), have effective control over global development.

Structural adjustment programs (“conditionality loans”) that have been imposed on more than 150 countries permit the enforcement of free market regimes that promote privatization, reduce social spending, and open up markets to the exports from the industrialized west. Countries of the Global South argue that the world economy is set up to benefit the rich countries of the Global North to the disadvantage of the poor countries. Black Gold reveals this conflict very clearly. Studies have shown that women, although they produce much of the world’s wealth as first providers, suffer the most from these structural adjustment programs. The majority of the world’s poor are women and children.

Industrial development, which has been the main theme of economic development since 1950 has reproduced patterns of “uneven development” similar to those that characterized the early period of colonialism. It has favored the rich industrialized countries, urban elites, and a rich class of multi-billionaires that dominate the landscape of impoverished countries. Export-led industrialization favors the development of a small class of underpaid workers.

The anti-globalization movement challenges this model by offering alternative demands: for fair trade (see the article by Kendra White), sustainable rural development, the creation of regimes that respect indigenous cultures, protect women from violence, and safeguard the environment. We need to focus on alternative measures of development not based on how much MORE stuff is generated every year (GDP), but rather on human and gender development, poverty rates, infant mortality rates, and his quality of life.

The UN Millennium Goals are an ambitious attempt to address critical needs of “severe poverty” and gender equality. As well-meaning as the goals might be (as in the quote below from the World Bank), without fundamental structural changes in the world economy and of the power structure within countries themselves, these goals are unlikely to achieve an end to global poverty. The quote below from the World Bank is an example of a well-intended approach, but does not offer the tools for radical transformation, indeed some argue that the impact of these institutions such as the World Bank is to reinforce a free market regime that may even undermine these goals.

“ Poverty is a call to action — for the poor and the wealthy alike — a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat, adequate shelter, access to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in what happens in their communities.” (World Bank.)

The discourse of development is dominated by patriarchal and capitalist values. There are powerful voices in the anti-globalization movement that call for human, non-patriarchal patterns of development that are based on cooperative and sustainable patterns of development. These can only come for the voices of the Multitude: the majority of the world’s population who are the poor and oppressed.

Suggested reading: Richard Peet, Unholy Trinity. The IMF, World Bank, and WTO (Zed Books, 2009); Maria Mies, Patriarchy and Accumulation
on a World Scale (Zed Books 1986); Vadhana
Shiva and Maria Mies, EcoFeminism (Zed Books, 1993); Michael Hardt & Antonio Negri, Multitude.

Dear Manhattanville Students, Faculty, and Staff,

First and foremost, I would like to extend many thanks on behalf of the Right World View members and myself, to all those who supported Right World View’s bake sale. It was a great success and all the money was donated to the Marissa Pagli Fund.

Also, Right World View’s annual Masquerade Ball will be on April 30th and it will be the last party of the semester. Come out and enjoy a night of dinner and dancing! I am also pleased to inform you, that our prospective Mission Statement has been submitted and we are now waiting to hear back with approval from the deciding committee. Thank you for your patience and continuous support.

Please don’t hesitate to submit any personal work to Right World View as we are always searching for new talent. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. All the support is greatly appreciated
and we here at Right World View look forward to continuing to provide you with a world-class paper! Happy Reading!

Sincerely,
Monique E. Hardy
Editor-in-Chief

As we approach the end of the Spring Semester, many of us have lost the drive that is needed to carry us across that finish line. It is important to remember when we are sitting in front of the television, surfing Facebook and Twitter, or just taking one of our many “much needed breaks” on the quad, these leisurely activities will always be there. It is time to put our priorities in order! Think of how much more relaxed your mind will be when all of your responsibilities are fulfilled. Here’s the plan: create a “To-Do” list with all the assignments and duties that you have to complete. In big bold red ink, put the deadlines right next to it, and post your list where you are sure to see it everyday. This will serve as a constant visible reminder if you become sidetracked by a party going on in the suite next door to you. As you begin to cross off items that you have completed on your list, this will ignite the drive you need to gracefully run across the finish line. Stay focused! You can do it!

“What is Fair Trade?” This is a question my geography teacher asked my 5th grade class in my home country, Switzerland, back in 2001. That year we learned all about the concept of Fair Trade and the benefits it had for the local farmers involved. Not only did we learn about Fair Trade in school, but Fair Trade products were and still are common in our supermarkets
in Europe. Most people opt for Fair Trade bananas, sugar, and coffee instead of the regular free trade products.

This is why when one of my professors showed my “Introduction to Global Studies” class the documentary “Black Gold” and only a few students knew what Fair Trade was, I was shocked. After a long discussion with the class, I realized that Fair Trade is not a widespread phenomenon here in the USA the same way it is back in Europe.

I decided to take my investigation outstide of the classroom and sure enough my observation was confirmed. Although many of my friends had learned about Fair Trade in one way or another, they did not feel personally concerned by it. Of course, why would they be? Most people hear about Fair Trade through different classes or newspaper articles, and only see it as a system that benefits poor farmers. Most people do not understand how the system works and as a result, they do not realize that Fair Trade is something each and every one of us can participate in, and that through it, we can make a difference.

The problem is that coffee farmers in under-developed countries are becoming even more impoverished, going further into debt and losing their land because of the extremely low world coffee prices. For instance, according to Tadesse Meskela, the representative for the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union in Ethiopia, big companies such as Starbucks sells Ethiopian coffee for $14.00 per pound, but only pays $1.20 per pound, which does not even cover the cost of production. The idea of Fair Trade is to offer local farmers an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in more developed parts of the world, such as Europe or North America, and producers in
Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Fair Trade guarantees to poor farmers organized in cooperatives around the world a living wage, credit at fair prices, and a long term relationship. Although the idea is becoming more popular, according to the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International, still only 20% of Fair Trade Farmer’s coffee is sold at Fair Trade. The reason for this is that there is not enough demand for Fair Trade coffee.

So what can we do as individual consumers in the United States? Fair Trade certified coffee is slowly making its way to the US and the only way for the movement to grow is to get involved. Although it is not well publicized, there is already Fair Trade Coffee around Manhattanville College. For instance, the coffee sold in the library Café is “Pura Vida Coffee,” which is part of the Union de Ejidos Professor Otillio Montano (UDEPOM) “which is a cooperative of farmers in Chiapas, Mexico, focused since 1995 on producing the highest quality Fair Trade and organic coffee while contributing to the preservation of the natural resources of the Mescamerica biodiversity hotspot (www.puravidacoffee.com).”

Also, since 2000, Starbucks has offered Brewed Fair Trade coffee as well as whole bean. Yet the only way Starbucks will make Fair Trade coffee is if you ask for it specifically. So if you are a Starbucks customer, buy Fair Trade. Furthermore, let your friends and family know about the concept of Fair Trade. It is only by spreading the word that the movement will be able to grow. Such little effort on one person’s part can go a long way.

What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Fair Trade also includes Fair Price, Fair Labor Conditions, Direct Trade, Democratic and transparent organizations, Community development, and Environmental sustainability.
(www.transfairusa.org)

European Fair Trade Association:
The European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) is an association of eleven Fair Trade importers in nine European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). EFTA was established informally in 1987 by some of the oldest and largest Fair Trade importers. It gained formal status in 1990.The aim of EFTA is to support its member organizations in their work and to encourage them to cooperate and coordinate. It facilitates the exchange of information and networking, it creates conditions for labour division and it identifies and develops joint projects. (www.european-fair-trade-association.org)

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (oil is the first.) (www.blackgoldmovie.com/economics.php)

Fair Trade labeling Organization International:
Fair Trade Labeling Organization International (FLO) is the organization that coordinates Fairtrade labeling at an international level. A key part of FLO’s role is to develop and review the Fairtrade standards. These standards apply to all Fairtrade producers. They also apply to the companies who market Fairtrade products, such as importers, exporters and licensees.(www.fairtrade.net)

Ethiopia’s labor force is 85% agriculture, 5% Industry and 10% services. (www.cia.gov)

United Students Against Fair Trade:
USFT is a collaboration of students and youth working in solidarity
with cooperative communities to promote fair trade principles, products and policies. Consciousness raising, leadership development and capacity building stand at the core of our grassroots organizing. (www.usft.org)

In a ranking of 177 countries and territories, Human Development
Index (HDI) places Ethiopia in the low human development category, near the bottom of the list at 169th place.(www.cia.gov)

Fair Trade Federation:
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade. The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty. (www.fairtradefederation.org)

42.7% of the population over the age of 15 years old is literate. Out of that 42.7%, 50.3% are males, while 35.1% are females. (www.cbsnews.com)

TransFair USA:
TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products.(www.transfairusa.org)

More than 20 million people worldwide work in the coffee industry.(
www.blackgoldmovie.com/economics.php)

United Students Against Sweatshops:
Formed in 1997, United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) is a grassroots organization of youth and students who believe that a powerful and dynamic labor movement will ensure greater justice for all people. The association uses its unique roles of students as consumers, workers, and members of the campus community to win victories that set precedents in the struggle for self-determination of working people everywhere, particularly campus workers and garment workers who make collegiate licensed apparel. (www.usas.org)

In 2003, coffee was the world’s sixth-largest legal agricultural export in value (www.coffeefacts.com)

To be a man
is to accept the duty of a man.
It’s an unpaid occupation with benefits
like respect, leadership, & maturity.
Some are obliged to the job
others follow the trendline
Taking the position as an adolescence
the way samba did
seems like a punishment,
but its a life lesson.
It’s a premium to be ripe
Bright and Early since it grants
liability, dignity, & tranquility
From experience a man
learns to be a man.
Able to depict his future
draw his inner circle & satellites,
create the blueprint of his dream girl, and
parley with Girls with Dem Sugar until
The Truth fits the prescription.
To be a man one needs to
Scan people like Best Buy to
see their worth
either counterfeit or authentic
Gotta be a man for himself
before being a man for others
Inaugurate an infrastructure enough for him
and Fab Five
The starter of the family
generating petroleum for the tribe
To be a man
he must
Hug his losess
Salute the errors
sponge all mistakes made
to avoid reruns.
Thru people’s collapses,
transcripts are saved and analyzed
Shoving what’s RIGHT from wrong
Induce a recycling system to being a better man
Learning early, makes life yoga
The ability to flex his knowledge to his peers
Strength to dodge ill-vibration
colliding with so many observations
Its safe to say He is a man.

Thick gold hoops and fingers waves
Block parties and rap battles
Were what I knew
I wore bright colored jumpers
And answered to guys who called
“Yo ma, lemme talk to you for a minute”
Licking their lips like LL Cool J
With the mellowed stance of Snoop Dog
Talked to guys with gold teeth,
And rings that spelled their names over three fingers
I remember Friday nights
I’d just got paid
And had a basement party to attend
Those crowded parties
Vibrated by a bass from stacked speakers
And turntables where stars were discovered
Those crowded parties
Where we could all escape from reality
For at least one night
I danced to Slick Rick
Bounced to the rhythms of that Old Dirty Bastard
Grinded to the slow jams of Bell Biv Devoe
And supported all the brothers
Who promised to rock up on that mic
And rock the mic right
I was in dark clubs
When bullets were sprayed
I was in my room
When lead death came through the windows
My projects was a tomb
With no way out but in a pine chariot
I didn’t listen when Lauryn cried
“Girl you better watch out.
Some guys are only about that thing”
I looked to love to be my way out
Swayed by the lies and the sweet voices of Boys II Men
I listened to them when they promised me the world
Knowing they only had one block
I thought I knew passion
Believed I’d found and lost love
Listened to Mary J who promised to mend my heart
Swore I wasn’t gon cry
Shed no tears
I joined the line of single black mothers
Waiting for their baby’s father to come around
I joined in the chorus of
“It’s so hard to say goodbye…”
For friends, taken by a three letters
I joined the rare few who vowed to go on
Never bowing to the street medicine
That promised to make the pain go away
Those who denied an early grave
Those who denied defeat
I shed myself of the
Thick gold hoops, fingers waves
The bright colored jumpers
I left those men with their gold
Who played Boys II Men
Those false romantics
Who promised me the world
But could only offer me this tomb
Those men of false promises
I removed myself from
The block parties and rap battles
The dark clubs and the world I knew
I wanted to know more