New Year's Resolutions
Every January 1 rolls by and I make New Year's resolutions, and like most people I can't keep them. Last year I told myself that I would swear less, but swearing is just too deeply embedded into my personality. I grew up riding horses at a barn where everyone swore like a sailor and it didn't take long for me to adopt the same dirty mouth. Needless to say, I have continued to use whatever vocabulary I prefer.
This year I wanted it to be different. For one, I was going to make everything qualitative. I would only choose resolutions that had obvious checkpoints, so I could track myself. Second, with the impending inauguration of a certain orange toad, I wanted to do things that were part of the rebellion against him. With those two things in mind, here are my resolutions.
1. Buy only used clothing (except for socks and underwear)
Fast fashion has become part of our culture, and it's not good. Thousands of tons of clothes are produced then thrown away in just a week's time. There used to be just two seasons of fashion -- summer and winter. Then there were four. Now there are fifteen or more, not including some of the brands like Forever 21 or H&M that produce new clothing every week and then dispose of whatever hasn't sold. Some stores slash holes in clothes so that when they are tossed, homeless and disadvantaged people cannot take them and wear them. Then, inevitably, the clothes end up in a landfill. This additional waste is a huge burden on not just our environment but on second hand stores. Instead of being able to sell quality, used clothes for a fraction of the cost, second hand stores like Goodwill or Savers have to sell cheap clothes close to the same price of retail. These garments wear out quickly, and even those end up in landfills. Here is a great article from NPR to learn more.
So I have decided to shop only second hand stores this year, and shop as little as possible. I will only choose garments that are from quality brands that will last. I will not throw any clothes away but choose more environmentally friendly ways of disposing them, either by donating to thrift stores, upcycling them for a new use or donating them to businesses that can use them for rags.
2. Donate $10 a month to Planned Parenthood
This is an easy one. I've already signed myself up for monthly donation, so this resolution is complete. I made the donation in Mike Pence's name, as is the trend currently, and I'm hoping once I have a job and steady income I can increase this amount. PP is at risk of getting defunded this year, which would take away health services from millions of people. It will be more important than ever to financially support them so they can continue their life-saving services.
3. Become an active member of Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
SURJ is an organization that trains white people on how to protest racial injustice and be an effective member in the fight against racial injustice. My goal is to attend at least one event a month, and hopefully more. SURJ also organizes protests or makes their members aware of significant protests in the Bay Area so we can go and flex our constitutional right to protest. Learn more here: http://www.surjbayarea.org/
What are your resolutions this year? How do you plan to follow through on them?
