Lacoste L27
Summer is close to being over, alas, but it’s not too late to get in on some Lacoste L27 action. Perfect for any casual occasion, especially if that casual occasion involves yachts or a polo match. The L27 is your very basic low canvas kick a la Chuck Taylor, but with that fancy little gator on the side that puts it in a different price range. But gotta be fresh eyyday. Available in white, navy, and black.
Cop at Zappos.
Tags: Lacoste
7. August 2010 at 18:58
Lesser known but easily accessible by a simple Google search: Lacoste, like Nike and many other brands, still use sweathshop labor. I see your “mea culpa” (http://vegankicks.com/2010/06/mea-culpa-to-my-socially-conscious-readers/) was an empty promise.
Pretty disappointing, to be honest, that “cool” looking shoes should so easily redirect a moral compass. I don’t think quality over quantity is necessarily cliché, or inapplicable.
Best of luck with your blog.
8. August 2010 at 13:11
Hey Nick,
I am sorry that you are disappointed about my blog content. I am a little puzzled, however, about the harshness of your tone. I don’t really know what I did wrong. I wrote that I would make an effort to promote socially responsible businesses, not that I would do so exclusively. So while I’m glad you are informing me and everyone else that certain brands do use sweatshop labor, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop posting about them. I can’t really promise that. I hope you keep reading, thanks for your interest.
Peace,
Henry
9. August 2010 at 21:24
Henry,
I suppose that I take issue with the fact that in your “About” section for your blog you state clearly that you are a “concerned vegetarian trying to discover and spread the good word on fresh, cruelty-free footwear,” though you seem to be pointing away from animal-cruelty with one hand while pointing—quite directly I might add—at human-cruelty with the other. I’m having a difficult time comprehending your motives for trading one form of oppression for another; I don’t entirely understand the detachment.
Now, I understand that you also state that, though “what you will see is mostly sneakers… I am liable to post about anything that pops into my scatterbrain,” but that seems like a cheap disclaimer to explain away this discrepancy.
The harshness of my tone is aimed at your influential position, coupled with a dizzyingly confusing standard of morals. As evidenced by your comments, you have a decent basis of regular subscribers that read your blog, many of whom most likely utilize your research into ‘vegan footwear’ as a vantage for deciding which shoes to purchase, and many of whom I would assume subscribe also to the vegan ethics that condemn animal-cruelty. I know that when I first stumbled upon your blog, I made the assumption that “vegan-kicks” would share a similar standard of ethics that most “vegans” maintain. Much to my chagrin, I was wrong. But that doesn’t mean that many people take the time to do the research that I have, because many may take it upon your good-graces and afford you benefit-of-the-doubt in thinking that “vegan” means free of oppressive manufacturing.
Now, whether or not you feel like you’re being influential, you’re providing a service that said subscribers may also assume is sufficient and thorough. I feel, however, that you greatly neglect the vast majority of vegan footwear and aim at many companies whom you are entirely aware are responsible for terrbile and reprehensible human rights violations, simply because they look cool. Your own morals are no concern of mine; if being kind to animals by being horrible to humans is your end-goal, that’s your prerogative—deplorable though it may be, you’re a step above the majority. But, when you start providing a service that is potentially misleading, than yes, I have a problem, and excuse my harsh tone.
I really have to ask, though: from what angle do you view animal cruelty as a serious problem that not only trumps human rights, but can exploit the latter in order to somehow correct the former? I am genuinely puzzled.
—Nick
10. August 2010 at 19:09
Nick,
First of all, I want to thank you for compliment about me being in an “influential position.” No one has ever said that about me in my life, and it feels pretty good. While I’m very flattered, I think that may be overstating it. We have some readers, but not that many. We’re not about to make it on Ellen or Oprah. I blog about sneakers, man.
But onto your concerns. If I’m understanding you correctly, you think that I am inconsistent in my ethical code, condemning one type of cruelty (towards animals) while condoning another (towards laborers). In short, you think I’m a hypocrite.
First, let me repeat that this is a vegan-centric blog, not a human rights centric one. If it were, I’d say so. But I don’t. And when I say “cruelty free” I mean animals. I don’t think there is any confusion there. So, basically, I am not being misleading. Misleading would be saying “these shoes are sweatshop free” if I know they aren’t. As to the whole “vegan ethics” point, I think you’re generalizing and trying to speak for the entire vegan community. There’s no vegan standard of ethics. It’s absurd to even say such a thing. I’ve met vegans who don’t eat meat because they are weirded out by it, not because of any compassion towards animals. Certainly there are many an asshole vegan who doesn’t do right by anyone in their life. I’m not their voice, neither are you, and to assume that there is such a vegan code is false. Moreover, I would add that from my observations, other vegan bloggers and spokespeople don’t emphasize human rights – we are animal people. That, methinks, is a fair generalization.
Second, your moral absolutism is troubling. It is impossible this day and age to entirely avoid unscrupulous corporate behavior when promoting consumerism. First they say human rights, next it’s the environment. That’s a big one that we all missed. No matter how nice the factory is, the raw materials are still being dug out of an exploited community in an undeveloped country. The cotton is filled with pesticides, the other materials made out of god knows what. Eventually, it will all end up in a landfill somewhere, leaching harmful chemicals into the groundwater supply. By your reasoning, I should also look into the environmental practices of each shoe company I blog about. And then? There are surely other things I should keep an eye on. The more you pull the thread, the more the sweater comes apart, and this is the slippery slope you tread.
The fact of the matter is, we are all unwitting participants in the globalized economy. When you go to the store and walk away with something in your hand, you are potentially subsidizing human rights abuses. This goes for about ANYTHING YOU BUY. This is fact. So while we can argue all day about moral hypocrisy, we have to stop agonizing and make peace with some of the evils of this world. Of course, I think that sweatshop labor is a terrible product of our globalized society. Should we condemn the worst perpetrators of sweatshop labor? Yes. But am I going to stop buying stuff? No, I’m sorry. I can’t buy everything at American Apparel (their jeans are too skinny). It is noble undertaking to try and be good to everyone all of the time, but it’s just not possible. At least it’s not possible for me. So I apologize for that.
But Nick, I hear you brotha, and I am the choir. As I pledged before, I will try to shine a light on non-evil companies. I know they are out there. But I don’t necessarily know who they are. It is not my intention to ignore “the vast majority of vegan footwear.” My knowledge is limited. So this is why I posted on Jinga right after you told me about them. I’m not saying it’s your responsibility to feed me information, but it would be helpful. I can only say that I will try. Make an effort. It probably won’t satisfy you, but hey, you can’t make everyone happy right?
Hope this finds you in good spirits. I love the debate, and your passion gives me hope about the world.
-Henry
10. August 2010 at 22:57
Henry,
I believe you’re blowing my intentions out of proportion; when I say influential, I am by no means implying that you are primed for a talk show, as you put it, but that your blog likely reaches more readers than you may otherwise assume. There are blogs I check multiple times a day that I’ve never once posted a comment to. The same goes for many people. I only commented to address a concern, and my subsequent posts have merely built off of the original. However, many people liklye browse your website when searching for “vegan options” for shoes daily.
Now, I’m not making assumptions about your ethical code, persay. What I am doing is trying to extrapolate some sort of justification for your ethics. I know many people as well who don’t eat meat and are ostensibly vegan, though not for moral reasons. But your “About” section does tout this blog as being about products that are cruelty-free. Generally, I would indeed make the assumption that vegans who are “animal-people” because they are appalled at the oppression and exploitation of animals—as the aforementioned statement implies of you as well—share a similar sentiment with human oppression. I didn’t realize that there was such a huge disconnect between the two. I agree that it is unrealistic to believe that every effort made towards non-participation in human rights abuses is successful, just as it is unrealistic to believe that, as a vegan, one has never accidentally eaten an animal product. But, if you have the power of will enough to change your life drastically to stand up for your morals, though the fight may not always be successful, I don’t think it’s unrealistic to chooses more than one battle at a time.
Consumerism is a problem for animal and human rights abuses alike. The vast majoirty of food as well as clothing and most all other products are fabricated by means of some sort of oppression, factory, sweatshop, slaughterhouse, dairy-farm, etc.. To be vegan for the intention of lessening the abuse of animals in the world may not stop the problem in its tracks, but every person who chooses not to participate is helping in some way, big or small. It’s the collectivity that allows a movement such as “veganism” to be as effective as it is, even if that isn’t very much. By shoo-shooing human rights abuses as something that is unstoppable, and willingly participating because, well, ‘out of sight, out of mind’—it is easy to just say, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” However, I staunchly disagree. I think that human rights abuses are equally as pertinent an issue, and—to run the risk of repeating myself—I don’t understand the disconnect between animal compassion and human compassion.
I agree that exploitation—animal, human, environment—is a slippery slope when choosing products to purchase. It’s seldom that one can find a product free of all three, let alone something that one may actually find appealing; thusly, I understand the intention of your blog. But there are a GREAT number of companies that take every precaution possible to make sure none of these occur that I have yet to see you highlight, save for Jinga of course. Inversely, there is a vastly greater number of companies who couldn’t possibly care less about all three, Nike for one huge example, whom you seem to highlight frequently. If Nike makes a “vegan” shoe, it’s coincidental, and the same goes for most of the big companies. They have no intention of making a “cruelty-free” shoe.
I would ague that it is indeed difficult to live in such a way that all of your purchases are as free from all forms of oppression as possible, but I would argue that it is not impossible. Even PETA acknowledges that a true vegan diet is almost impossible since you can’t oversee the production of every step of your food at every restaurant and every facility. But that doesn’t deter people from being vegan, it just makes people work harder. If everyone adopted the mentality of “it’s hard, so I’m just not going to try,” there would be no vegans searching for “cruelty-free” shoes, and you’d likely be out of a blog.
Sorry for the long winded response.
Best,
—Nick
11. August 2010 at 18:27
[...] my blogging energy to a spirited debate with one of my readers – see the comment section of this recent post. This is an ongoing and interesting conversation we’re having, and I will dedicate a post [...]
13. August 2010 at 00:50
“Should we condemn the worst perpetrators of sweatshop labor? Yes.”
The embedded link is:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/06/are-these-unethical-fashion-brands-hiding-in-your-closet.php#ch05
The list of unethical fashion brands from that article are:
1) H&M
2) Abercrombie & Fitch
3) The Gap (Old Navy & Banana Republic)
4) Nike
5) Limited Brands
6) Calvin Klein
7) Wal-Mart
You haven’t been following your own advice, because instead of condemning Nike, you’ve been promoting their shoes.
Check out a spoken word CD by Angela Davis called The Prison Industrial Complex. She talks about Nike factory workers who were forced to run laps around a factory as a form of punishment. Real stomach turning material.
Aside from the Nike/Converse posts, I enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
Ben
vegan for 16 years, Nike-free for 18 years
13. August 2010 at 19:23
Nick,
No need to apologize. Your comments are really good. Usually when I read blog comments (on other blogs, all our readers rule) they don’t seem to take the time to capitalize or check their spelling, and here you are with such well thought out and articulated insights.
Anyway, I think we are reaching the point of the discussion where we will reach a consensus or agree to disagree. I think we agree on most things. I nod to your argument about the gap between animals and people not being so far apart. Yes, it shouldn’t be a stretch to think that we as vegans/vegetarians should show some compassion to exploited people as well. And you’re right about effort; I think that if people are making the effort to find vegan shoes, they are probably willing to make the effort to find sweatshop free ones as well. I guess the upshot is to try your best with what you know. Unfortunately Nike is such a monster with sneakers that they gobble up all the interesting artists, and their releases get the most attention. It sucks admitting it as a fan of their stuff, but it’s true, which is why I guess I have a hard time ignoring them.
Ben – touche. You make a good point. Although I don’t know too many details about Nike factories, isn’t it true that these factories are non-exclusive? By that I mean you have a shoe factory that contracts out to Nike, Converse, Puma, etc.? They aren’t owned by the brand right? That is how I understand the system to work. Correct me if I’m wrong. If that is the case then we need to look into which companies buy from the worst factories. Any ideas?
14. August 2010 at 00:05
Henry,
You are correct that the factories are independently owned, and they take contract work from the major shoe brands. However, it is the responsibility of those brands to know if the workers are being treated fairly at these places, and sever ties with a given factory if need be. So you are correct when you say that the task at hand is to figure out which companies buy from the worst factories. Nike is at or near the top of that list, STILL.
Check out this article from April of this year:
http://labornotes.org/blogs/2010/04/nikes-love-affair-sweatshops-still-doing-it
- 1,700 workers owed $2.2 million in severance pay
- denial of healthcare to workers who were still paying their premiums
- unpaid overtime
- Nike’s denial that most of the product made at these factories were for their brand (which is untrue)
Look at how Nike outright lies instead of admitting any wrongdoing.
At the VERY least, vegans and anyone else who cares about human rights should not be buying and not be promoting Nike in any way. At the most, we should be taking direct action against Nike.
14. August 2010 at 12:58
Nick,
“But there are a GREAT number of companies that take every precaution possible to make sure none of these occur…”
Can you link to some companies you’re talking about? Just curious. Always on the lookout for more ethical wearables/etc.
14. August 2010 at 21:23
Sure thing Dave! I’m pressed for time right now, but heres a bunch off the top of my head:
Jinga: http://www.jingashop.com/
Ethletic Footwear: http://www.fairdealtrading.com/footwear_7_low+cut+sneakers.htm
Novacas: http://www.novacas.com/
No Sweat footwear (can’t find a link right now, but you can buy them/view an example here: http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/casual_-_sports_-_skate/no_sweat_hi_top_hemp_natural/12117_p.html)
Terra Plana (makes shoes from non-vegan/though recycled/repurposed materials, but has a large line of vegan shoes as well, and has an amazing business model: http://www.terraplana.com/mens-vegan-range-c-153_243.html)
There’s a couple for now. If I have time to come back and post more, I will soon.
Best,
—Nick
16. August 2010 at 18:10
[...] A few posts ago, a reader brought to our attention the issue regarding our promotion of certain companies that treated their workers badly (i.e. Nike, Lacoste). This led to an interesting (and often heated) back and forth on our positions. I really enjoyed the debate. I love hearing from our readers, and this discussion wanted to share it with everyone else. I’m sure that a lot of people might have an opinion, so feel free to let yourselves be heard. Below is the “transcript,” see the original post here. [...]
17. August 2010 at 13:25
thanks for these nick! and any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!