Team Sweat:
I am writing to let you know that the venue for tonight’s “Behind the Swoosh: Sweatshops and Social Justice” lecture at Seattle University has been changed to Wyckoff Auditorium.
I hope many of you will join us.
Peace, Jim Keady
Team Sweat:
Below are comments from students who have recently joined the fight against Nike’s sweatshop abuses.
Peace, Jim Keady
Our relationship to our neighbor is bound up with our relationship to God; our response to the love of God is shown to be effective in his love and service of people. Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be seperated. For love implies an absolute demand for justice, namely a recognition of the dignity and rights of one’s neighbor. Justice … Read Moreattains its inner fullness only in love. Every person is created in the image and likeless of God, and thus God is found is every person and is deserving of justice and love. As humans, this is our responsibility.
- Sara S
I joined TeamSweat because I want to change the innocent factory workers’ lives and make our world a better place.
- Claire Vasiljevich
I joined Team Sweat because I am appalled by the horrible conditions forced upon Nike sweatshop workers. We NEED to act as “Men and Women for Others” and stop Nike!
- Samantha S.
I joined because I watched the video in my justice seminar class, and it made me really want to do something. I do not want to be part of the problem, but rather part of the solution.
- Caitlin Heller
I am a student at Loyola Academy and I am joining Team Sweat because I am applaled at the fact that such a large corporation is so negligent of their employees. They should be able to fight for themselves but because of the things that could happen to them after that, they NEED Loyola students to be men and women for others and fight for them.
- Colette Hankin
I attend Loyola Academy. I want to join Team Sweat because as human beings we are created in the image and likeness of God (Imago Dei) and we should all be entitled to a dignified life. The treatment that the Indonesians are receiving is unjust and immoral. Collectively I think we can make a difference!
- Alexandra Monacelli
I joined Team Sweat because I feel that it is my job as a Catholic girl to be active in the fight against injustice! I was so upset over the truth I recently learned behind NIKE. This is wrong and so inhumane. But I cant just go throughout my life despising the people who run NIKE. WE CAN CHANGE THIS!
- Paige
I am a sophomore from Loyola Academy. I am a hispanic student from the deep west side of Chicago and I reside in a predominantly Puerto Rican community known as Humblolt Park. Yesterday Mr. Keady presented at my school and a few days prior to the presentation my scripture class viewed his documentary “Behind the Swoosh.” When I first saw this I was immediately shocked. I had been completely oblivious to these truths throughout my entire life. I immediately felt obligated to help these people out as much as I can, and was very excited when I was told that Mr. Keady was coming to present. The presentation was truly inspirational to me. Although I was moved I could feel the blunt ignorance of my peers, that realization gave me even more inspiration to take action and to try and do as much as I possibly can to help. I am not from the north shore nor do I own many designer brands or an i-touch. But what I am ensured everyday is a warm bed to sleep in and sufficient meals to get me through everyday. And the fact that many other people in the world never see these simple and often overlooked aspects of life saddens me deeply. I have decided to take a stand and try and get involved as much as I possibly can. I am very good with art and design and want to help this orginaztion get the message across through visual medias. I know that the members are very busy, but if anyone can contact me back and let me know what I can do i would be very willing. Thank you.
- Luis Marin
I joined Team Sweat because I currently attend a Jesuit high school and I have been taught to give every person on this planet the same chance at a life with dignity that I have been given. Nike and other companies take advantage of those who have no voice in this world and I hope they can have the oppurtunity to earn a living wage that can help them live their life with ease.
- Will Abraham
I can’t wait to be apart of Team Sweat and helping out in what ever ways I can. No person should be treated like filth. I will gladly spread the word and hope that a large enough mass of people join Team Sweat so that Nike will take a more significant step towards fixing the living conditions in Indonesia. Mr. Keady really inspired me with his words today in our assembly at Loyola Academy ,a Jesuit high school. His use of “Men and Women for Others,” really hit me because that is also our school motto.
- J.P. Skowron
I learned about TEAM SWEAT at Loyola Academy and think that sweatshops are completely wrong. I would like to help to fight this.
- Matt Wojkowski
(I joined Team Sweat) to improve the condition of exploited Nike workers.
- Nikhil Pillai
After hearing Keady talk, it made me realize that there are a lot more problems out there then my own dealing with money. I wanted to join that I support what Keady is doing and I hope he makes a difference or more to help other people’s lives be better.
- Stephanie Koenig
I just saw Keady’s presentation at my school and it had a strong impact on me. I study sociology here at Shippensburg University and I already knew some of these problems that exist but not to the extent. Activisim is a wonderful thing and I admire the dedication. Keep it up!
- Gina Sciabarassi
I’m sick and tired of not being heard. What Nike is doing is disgusting and we, as leaders of the future, should be helping to stop the wrong doing.
- Lauren Rojas-Castillo
I am a devout Christian, and I am a university student from Shippensburg University. I am an education major, and it pains me to see people working so hard, with no hope of an education or better life because companies like Nike feel they can control them and keep them low enough to stay alive but have no hope of changing their lifestyle. I would like to help those workers in sweatshops get that hope that they, like all humankind, deserves. These people should be granted the necessities in life of food, water and shelter, and the most important- a family.
- Casey Atkins
I don’t understand why humans should have to suffer by putting all their time and energy into a job that doesn’t even allow them to live properly just so consumers like us can feed into our shallow images and purchase pricey products. It’s not fair to allow human rights to be discarded so corporate leaders can overcharge for scraps of rubber that are assembled. I hope to find any way I can to participate in fighting for these workers.
- Krista MacBain
I am a student at Loyola Academy and I think what Nike is doing is wrong and these people in Indonesia can not survive off $1.50 a day. So i joined Team Sweat to stop this and help raise awareness about the cause.
- Brittany Ruh
I go to Loyola Academy and I don’t believe that what Nike is doing is moral. I think that the workers should be paid fair wages and that the sports people should send some of their money to the workers. I will be spending the postcards in to Phil Knight and Tiger Woods sometime today.
- Caitlin Bohling
Because there are people in the world facing injustices and it is our job, people who are part of the human race, to stand up and fight for others.
- Fawn Johnstin
I am a student at Loyola Academy, and after hearing about the terrible and horrifying working conditions the Nike workers face, I knew it was my duty as a woman for others to somehow stop this injustice.
- Chloe Micek
I joined Team Sweat because, I saw Jim Keady’s documentary, I also saw a presentation he gave, and he inspired me to join this cause. I want to help this workers!
- Arthur Stone
I’m a conservative, and even I recognize that paying workers a dollar or two a day to produce $100 products is dangerous abuse. We have a responsibility as consumers to demand that Nike conduct its business ethically.
- Ron Sommers
I went to a lecture about the sweatshops, the lies, and the way Nike handles its factories in Indonesia. It broke my heart to hear these stories and the facts. I want to let Nike/Mr. Phil Knight know that what he is doing by ignoring the travesty and tradegy going on in HIS sweatshops is the most IRRESPONSIBLE and most heartless thing I’ve ever heard. I have no idea how he can sleep at night knowing he has the power to make millions of peoples lives better, yet he does NOTHING.
- Eric Wolfe
I joined Team Sweat because as a fifteen year old girl I would like to wear my clothes and shoes with dignity. Knowing that girls my age are working more overtime then I ever will in my life makes me sick. I want those girls and all the rest of the workers to work with dignity too. Dignify yourself. - Isabel Brooks As a consumer, I feel that I have the responsibility to pay attention to the various items I purchase. To know that what I may purchase was made in a sweatshop in which the employees are walked all over and treated barbarically is not something that I support. Especially to know that Nike tolerates such behavior, considering that I come from a family of athletes, disturbs me.
- Kaitlynn Forde
(I joined Team Sweat because) I saw the movie and the presentation, and it just clicked with me.
- Griffin Hull
God is love and we must show our love for one anoher by giving people what they deserve. I believe everyone deserves living wage for their hard work and they deserve respect as equal human beings.
- Kawthar Rkein
I joined Team Sweat because I strongly want to help change the injustices these workers suffer.
- Joanna P.
(I joined Team Sweat) to help put collective pressure on corporations to grant their workers with the basic human rights they all deserve.
- Taylor C.
I joined Team Sweat because I believe that sweatshop conditions are a disgrace and if the people running them have so much money what is it to them to give some back?
- Mary Clare Eisinger
Jim Keady came and spoke at Marian College, Indianapolis, where I am earning my degree. He educated me so much and influenced me to want to learn more and become a part of this myself.
- Jesse Kirkwood
I joined Team Sweat because I believe they are treating the hard workers in the sweatshops in a dehumanizing way. I have grown up knowing that everyone regardless of nationality, race, creed, religion, etc. is entitled to human rights. Treating someone as though they are just another worker “lucky” to have a job and just because they are from a third world country they do not need as much is WRONG! I would love to see ALL the employees/executives to know what it feels like to not have your own baby not able to live with you, not be able to eat all 3 meals in a day without having to beg, being able to to have a decent bathroom, etc. I do not believe anyone should have to go through what those people are going through. I think Nike needs to step up and take some accountablity for their actions, get their stories straight, and just as their slogan says “Just Do It.”
- Aubrey Rinkert
(I joined Team Sweat) to respect human rights and fight against (Nike). Have a good day.
- Mohd Fikry Bin Mishan
I joined Team Sweat because you came to my school (Loyola Academy) and I have decided to take this a step further. By joining this group and help stop this cruel treatment towards people. I do not think people should be treated like an item. I will do anything I can to help every person that deserves to have a respected life.
- Jina Kim
I joined Team Sweat because I value human dignity. Additionally, I feel that exploiting the rights of overseas workers to further American economic prosperity is a violation of the American spirit of equality, freedom, and justice.
- Chris Hauser
(I joined Team Sweat because) I want to help.
- Caroline Williams
WHEN WILL YOU JOIN THE FIGHT?
Below are comments from students at Loyola University and Loyola Academy. They are truly living the Jesuit motto of being “men and women for others” by joining the fight against Nike’s sweatshop abuses.
Peace, Jim Keady
I want to fight to end the injustices in Nike’s sweatshops!
- Felicia Shapiro
(I want) to help in the fight to end injustices any way that I can.
- Veronica Policht
I was at your talk at Loyola last night (colored/striped sweater in the middle) and I’m really sorry that I had to leave right when it was over… I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming! I first saw you, and I believe Leslie, too, talk at a summer program at Yale that I attended probably 5 or 6 years ago. Since then I’ve always been interested in seeing you again and hearing about updates to the entire situation (I have been receiving the EFJ e-mail updates) … I live in the Silicon Valley, CA and I know you’ve been to Bellarmine and other places around there to speak and I always tell all my friends/family to go. So anyway, thank you again for coming here and good luck in all your efforts! Hope to see you again sometime in the future.
- Jordan Micek
Jim Keady came to my high school and really inspired me to stick up and be a women for others (which so happens to be Loyola’s motto). I’m also ready to stop talking about making a difference, but really taking and accomplishing one quote from the Dalai Lama that Mr. Keady used in his video, “It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act.” I really want to be a part of a cause that’s sticking up for what’s right one step at a time. Thank you again for visiting Mr. Keady! It was a pleasure!
- Teddi Weigel
I joined Team Sweat because I don’t think the price of a human life and dignity is even close to being comparable to that of a product. I think the world should make human rights for all a top priority, before animal rights or capitalistic pursuits. I joined Team Sweat because I truly live by the Golden Rule, to treat others as I would like to be treated. If everyone would consider this principle of supporting the lives of people before supporting their pocket books, the world would be a better place.
- Angela Wells
I saw the presentation at Loyola Academy, in Wilmette, Illinois. Nike must act now to do what is right morally!
- Gineen Hecht
I believe in the dignity of all people, and their right to be able to work so as to support themselves, their families and their communities. I do not see consistent, concrete evidence that Nike and many other large corporations share my beliefs, or practice them world-wide. Social justice is everyone’s business. Social justice is actually good for business — even though it does not concentrate the wealth in the hands of a minority of entrepreneurs. If our world is to survive, and its people to flourish, we must address these issues.
- Rosanne Coury
(I want) to help people earn enough money to get by.
-Sam Retzky
(I want) to prove Phil Knight wrong.
- Franco Capitanini
I thought nike was the perfect athletic company ever but now that I know about their sweatshops I want to fix the problem. I feel that it is morally wrong to treat people that way and I want to fix the perfect company that I looked up to.
- William Hague
I joined Team Sweat because I go to a Jesuit school that teaches us the principles of being men and women for others. How can I live out this motto if I know corporations like Nike are causing HUGE injustices across the world?
- Jackie Boratyn
I joined Team Sweat because I think it is a shame that fellow people have to live in the conditions that the Nike Indonsion workers are focred to live under, and becaue I attend at Jesuit High School where I am told to live for a “Man For Others”.
- Evan Fay
As I Christian this issue is very important to me since we are made in the image and likeness of God; Christ taught us to love and care for our neighbors.
- Mary
Mr. Keady came to speak to us at Loyola Academy today and I want to tell Nike that what they are doing is terrible and, although I like their products, I am offended by the way they treat their sweat shop workers. This needs to stop NIKE!
- Joey Dudzik
There was a presentation at our high school earlier in the week and it moved me. i would donate, but being a teenager, I’m short on cash, so i will do the next best thing.
- Mike D
I attended a presentation at my school today and i think that what NIKE is doing is outrageous, and i’m out of money, so I’ve decided to do the next best thing.
- Michael
I joined team sweat because I don’t like how Nike is treating their workers. I want to help solve this problem.
- Alena Dowdle
I want to join Team Sweat because I believe in this cause. I find it repulsive to know that Mr. Knight and all of Nike is fully aware of what is going on in those sweat shops in Asia and not doing anything to try and change, because it’s “cheap” labor. I want to become part of the community of Team Sweat to fight against this and to show those who tell us we can’t that we CAN just do it.
- Chessy Gortzounian
I’m joining Team Sweat because I’m disgusted that an American company can allow their employees to work under such bad conditions and with as little pay as they are getting. We need to change things!
- Jamie Fox
I am appalled to find out that my favorite shoe company has lied to me, telling me that they had dealt with the labor problems. I am joining Team Sweat to support all of the hard working people in the numerous countries around the world that hold sweatshops.
- Will Cushwa
I joined Team Sweat because I believe that Nike workers should receive what is fair, not the bare minimum. If acting against any company can facilitate change, Nike would be that company.
- Phillip Henry
There was a presentation at my school, Loyola Academy, and I was previously ignorant about the subject, but I strongly sympathize with the workers, as everyone should have a living wage, good conditions, and be able to keep their dignity.
-Ryan McShane
I joined because it is not morally right to have this happen to people and us just sit here ignoring the problem.
- Meredith Cerney
I heard about this issue at a school assembly and what Nike is doing goes against all my morals.
- Lauren Marino
How can you be Christian or any other religion, and allow other human beings suffer like this?
- Joe Sommers
You visited my high school (Loyola Academy) and really challenged my view towards Nike. I appreciate your strong will and passion for giving deserving people their deserved human dignity.
- Mia Casey
My name is Vanesa Rivera. I joined Team Sweat because no one should live under the conditions that the factory workers live under. The workers are human beings and should not be treated that way. It is disgusting and Phil Knight should care and do something about it.
- Vanesa Rivera
I go to a Jesuit high school and I want to be a “woman for others.” Learning about the conditions people live in really disgusted me. I believe in people over profit.
- Leigh Agombar
(I joined Team Sweat because of a) presentation today at my school. This needs to stop and something needs to be done.
- Mo
I am joining Team Sweat because I think these workers have a right to their dignity, and by paying them wages that do not give them enough food for the day or to take care of their families is absurd. Every human has dignity and we should start caring about those people whose dignity is being taken away.
- Caitlin Desmond
I am a student at Loyola Academy and today, Jim Keady gave a great presentation. It was insightful and eye-opening. I want to do what I can to help those who are put down by the oppressiveness in Indonesia, and everywhere that these problems exist.
- Brigid Murray
I joined Team Sweat because I was really inspired to strive for change when Jim Keady came to our school today. As a member of a Jesuit School Community, I feel a responsibility to serve others and try to gain equality on the world. I feel that Team Sweat embodies all of those characteristics and I want to be a part of the change.
- Maggie Kollar
(I joined) to give voice to the voiceless.
-Paul Clarke
I joined Team Sweat because I want to help make these workers’ lives better. It is so ridiculously unjust that Nike (and all other corporations with factories in countries like Indonesia) are allowed to use policies that dehumanize their workers. All people have the right to be able to earn enough money to support themselves and their families and to retain their human dignity in the process. I have joined Team Sweat because I believe that collectively we can make a difference for the workers at the Nike factories, and that these changes will help to improve the lives of the impoverished across the globe.
- Nicole Michels
I joined Team Sweat to bring awareness to people around me the circumstances Nike workers live in. Nike should think about the children their workers must support. Those children are our future and we must do everything we can to give them a proper life.
- Julia Coffou
The work you do is truly amazing. I can’t wait to be apart of it. No person should be treated like filth. Given enough for 2 meals every day is simply not enough. I will gladly spread the word and hope that a large enough mass of people join Team Sweat so that Nike will take a more significant step towards fixing the living conditions in Indonesia.
- Maggie Mullen
I like Nike and their products but the people who are making these products are people too and they deserve to recieve their rights.
- Lizzie Sirput
I joined Team Sweat because, as a fan of Nike products, I am disappointed and appalled by the conditions forced upon Nike factory workers. The Nike Corporation needs to set an example and pay the people whom they have identified as their “employee,” a living wage in which they can experience human progress and flourishing.
- Wynn Coughlin
I joined after hearing a presentation at my high school, Loyola Academy, and am in shock at what is going on around the world. I want to be part of bringing justice to the thousands of people who are being unfairly treated by major companies. If people who hold an executive position are not being treated like this, then why is the labor force?? It’s just not right!
- Kelly Donahue
After hearing Mr. Keady speak at my high school I became appalled, ashamed and inspired. I can not believe that this type of injustice is still occurring in our world. I can not believe that so many people sit back and watch but don’t take action. And I can not believe that not only do we do nothing but we are the cause of it and we benefit from so many people suffering. I hope that through my school I am able to help in the fight toward justice and living wages for these sweatshop workers. As I attend college and grow up I know will continue to fight for a change for all people in the world who suffer because of consumers, factory owners, and companies like NIKE.
- Stefani Jerger
I joined Team Sweat because as a student at a Jesuit high school I believe that I have a responsibility to help people less fortunate than I am.
- Ted Hocter
I joined Team Sweat because this social rights issue affects me the most. Nike sweatshops and all other major corporation sweat shops are so involved in our pop culture and the best part about it is that WE, the public can control this issue to a certain extent. WE are the ones that choose to buy these sweatshop made products. WE can say no.
- Pilar
I’m a high school athlete that just found out about whats going on when Jim Keady came to our school. It’s horrible what they do to these workers. Its not right and it’s just disgusting. I NEED to do something, I don’t want to watch this and not have said or done anything. Things need to change.
- Grace
I joined Team Sweat because I believe the Nike corporation completely violates human rights. It disgusts me to hear about the workers in Indonesia living in such poor conditions and I recognize the need for change.
- Kim Elkayam
Today at Loyola Academy Jim Keady kicked off our annual Peace and Justice week. HUNDREDS of students were presented with a serious justice issue that they found themselves WEARING. Team Sweat of course is awesome because of what it is trying to achieve, and also becaue it gives kids a way to help the situation –instead of just doing the usual “raising awareness”. The feedback from the students at the Academy over the past few hours has been fantastic and makes progress seem achievable. As a student of Jesuit education I am encouraged to be “a women for others”. I feel that working to protect the human dignity of these people is my responsibility now that I know about Nike’s sweat shops.
- Emily Picchietti
I joined Team Sweat because I am a strong believer in equal rights for all people. I believe that more awareness needs to be created and I think that if it is it can be a catalyst for change, and I believe that this is a good way to start doing it.
- Sam Hysell
(I joined Team Sweat because) I wanted to give back.
- Sarah
I joined Team Sweat because I think how companies treat their workers is wrong and I think it is even worse for consumers to be ignorant and/or not care where their products are coming from and how they are made. I think as consumers we should take responsibility for where our products come from and how they are made. I think it is wrong for any human being to be able to decide how someone else lives especially when they are living in such bad conditions.
- Michela
I am a student at a Jesuit high school, Loyola Academy and your speech really inspired me. Something needs to be done about these injustices.
- Susan Nichols
I thought Jim Keady brought up some excellent points about Nike in his presentation at our school. There obviously need to be some changes with the way Nike as well as other major sporting brands operate in regards to their labor wages.
- Sean Hipskind
I am a freshman at Loyola Academy and today saw a presentation by Jim Keady. This year we focussed alot on Catholic Social Teaching, therefore i had a good sense about what Mr.Keady was referring to when he was speaking about how it is our role as Catholics to stop this. Sweat shops are wrong. Ok, sure, Nike is giving jobs to these people but they aren’t doing their workers any favors. If it wasn’t for their workers, they wouldn’t have any product to sell. Sweatshops are wrong, JUST DON’T DO IT.
- Meredith Abrahamson
I love Nike and Adidas cuz they have comfy and nice clothes but i am really disappointed that they have these horrible sweatshops even tho i may realized it since long time ago. Well. this Jim guy visited my school for justice and peace week speech and presentation. I was moved. even tho I got tired and bored at the very last. However, i like this guy. This guy is nice, motivated, has sympathy, and brave enough to spend his valuable time in just investigate and help labors in sweatshops.
- Aidan Lee
I joined Team Sweat because of the undeniable fact that the people of Indonesia are real people like us, with families, hopes, and dreams, and thus they deserve a living wage.
- Sarah Thomas
I attend a Catholic high school. The motto of the school is “Men and Women for Others.” It is my duty as a privileged citizen to help those who cannot speak for themselves. I want to do my part.
- Grace Bowen
Others need our help, I want to do my small part to do something about that. - Sara
Team Sweat:
Below are comments from students that have recently joined the fight against Nike’s sweatshop abuses.
Peace, Jim Keady
I joined Team Sweat after viewing a presentation put on by Umass Lowell about the injustices in the nike sweatshops around the world. I was disgusted at how poorly these workers were treated and how impossible it is for them to meet their basic needs. It is amazing that these workers are paid so little while the athletes endorsing the clothes that they wear are being paid millions. Nike has lost a customer in me until they change their unfair practices.
-Stephen A. Silvar, Jr.
I saw your presnetation at my school, Wheelok College, tonight. While we are a small school, we are comitted to improving the lives of chidldren and families worldwide and I know this will start a rallying cry. I know there will be much discussion of the issue to come, including in my social work class among many other classes. the awareness and knowldege you have brought will spread throughout the school, neighboring schools, and the city of Boston. Thank you for your time, and thank you for bringing this issue to our school.
-Nicholas McRae
Empathy.
-Donny Saputra
Visit Team Sweat on Facebook!
Visit Team Sweat on MySpace!
Visit Team Sweat on Twitter!