Continuing on the theme of "things you are probably sick of hearing" let's talk about ex ploitation of third worls workers by multinational corporations to nake all those nifty items you and I love to buy at the mall.

Most people don't worry too much about such things. When you read "Made in Taiwan" sticker on your nifty new "Pink Power Ranger Action Figure", for example, do you ever picture in your mind the people who assemble them? When you see signs proclaiming "Free Burma" so you wonder what this Burma stuff might be and how you can get some of it for free? Perhaps you have heard of the Cathy Lee Gifford clothing made by chil dren in Guatamalan sweat shops because it makes for a good tabloid headlione or story on "Hard Copy".

I thought that I was well informed about such things, but since coming to WWC, I've learned a great deal more. Living with Sp@m is a conciousness raising experience unto itself, even if I only read all the material that is plastered on the walls of our room. What I have found, at least in my own life, is that it's much easier to talk the talk than it is to walk the walk. Just try to go shopping without supporting some company that ex ploits someone somewhere. Thoughts of third world workers slaving in sweat shops for pennies a day soon receed into the nether regions of the mind when you finally find that magic pair of jeans which make it look like you might have a halfway decent looking butt. Let's think about a tougher one - should you remove Pepsi products from our Col lege because of human rights abuses by the Burmese government which is supported by Pepsi even though it would mean upsetting the local Pepsi bottler. The same local Pepsi bottler which makes large donations to our college and thus might be helping to pay part of yor tuition. Starts to get sticky, doesn't it? It makes me wonder how much am I really willing to give up in order to be true to my ideals. It reminds me of the bumper sticker "Live simply that others may simply live." I start to think of the impact I, as an individual, make on the world around me. Not only the "stuff" I buy, but the food I eat, the waste I produce, the gas I burn or the electricity I use. These things can be difficult to ponder, but I think we should. It is something that it is perhaps easier for us Wilsonites to ponder because of the plethora of information made available to us. (WARNING- shameless plugs to follow.)

For instance...

A speaker from Witness for Peace will be coming 1 October to speak about the Nicara guan Free Trade Zones (Zonas Francas). "Roberto", who is using a pseudonym for his protection, is a worker in one of the Maquilas and is the founder and leader of the Clan destine Commisions which are working to improve the conditions of workers in the ZF. This could turn out to be really interesting if I can work out staging a demonstration at Wal-mart while he's here. (Wal-mart sells some clothes made in the ZF, including the Cathy Lee Gifford clothing.)

The Wodrow Wilson Fellows, Sally Yudelman and Montague Yudelman, will be visiting WWC from 22 September to 27 September. Sally Yudelman has done extensive work with the Inter-American Foundation, dealing with issues pertaining to Mexico and Cen tral America, and the International Centre for Reasearch on Women. (You should see her resume.) She wishes to discuss the rebellion in Chiapas. (No, I don't have enough room on this sheet to explain what's going on there, so you're going to have to do some research for yourself. Here's a clue - type "Zapatistas" on a "Yahoo" search on the in ternet.) Montague Yudelman, who was the Director of Agriculture and Rural Develop ment at the Wprld Bank would like to speak to students about the world food situation.

And let's not forget about our own campus Free Burma group which is planning to par ticipate in a worldwide hunger strike on 7 Oct 1996. Not to sound flippant, but I think going without Glad. food for a while isn't too much of a hardship. Contact them at Box 5476 if you want more info, on look for Ted Hobart (RD-Sage).

I encourage everyone to take advantage of these oppurtunities to educate yourself about our world and you impact on it and then explore how you can make it a better place.