Dumpster Hell !

blog post #5

"Where Sweatshops are a Dream" is an article written by Nicholas D. Kristof, published in the New York Times on January 15, 2009. He argues that sweatshops are not the cause of poverty it is only a symptom. In other words, there are more severe issues involving poverty in these poor countries such as Africa and China. He begins his article by inviting our former president Barack Obama to a tour of the garbage dump in Phnom Penh. Although, Obama probably isn't going to respond to his message, he made a great point. The government loves to talk about "labor standards" but does not take initiative to actually make a change. He refutes his argument by stating," Mr. Obama and the democrats who favor labor standards in trade agreements mean well for they intend to fight back oppressive sweatshops abroad". But little do they know, sweatshops aren’t the worst focal point in the poorest countries, the garbage dump is!

Nicholas uses awesome figurative language such as metaphors, imagery, similes, and allusion to describe the dirty dumps in Phnom Penh. For example, he says “this is a Dante-like vision of hell (simile & allusion). It’s a mountain of festering refuse, a half-hour hike across, emitting clouds of clouds of smoke from subterranean." for those who don't know, "Dante's Inferno" is not only an epic poem but also a game about the journeys Dante took through the stages of hell and Nicholas was comparing the dumps to hell. He then goes into further details using imagery by stating," The miasma of toxic stink leaves you gasping, breezes batter you with filth, and even the rats look forlorn". Not only does this make me want to throw up, but i feel bad for the civilians who slave every day in these dumps collecting recycle for only one cent per pound. 

Nicholas is credible due to the fact that he personally experienced the living standards in East Asia as well as his wife who lived in a village in Southern China. He states that "in the hierarchy of jobs in poor countries, sweltering at a sewing machine isn't the bottom". He also talks to victims of the garbage dumps who claim that they rather be working in the factory. Pim Srey Rath, a 19-year-old woman, states that "at least that work has shade, here is where its hot". Not only is working outside in the heat stressful, but it’s also extremely dangerous. Nicholas seeks further information by talking to Vath Sam Oeun who hopes that her 10-year-old son grows up to work in a factory due to her encounters of seeing other children getting ran over by dumpster trucks or loosing limbs. By the use of pathos, Nicholas appeals to his audience profoundly creating a disturbing image in the minds of others. 

Many Americans go against sweatshops because we live in a society that has more appropriate working and living environments compared to other poor countries but to them a sweatshop is high class. overall, Nicholas does a magnificent job portraying his message and defending his argument. he uses a great amount of figurative language, the rhetorical triangle and evidence to help support his argument. His purpose is to bring to light a situation that many misinterpret. As a former civilian living in the poorest country, Nicholas knows the sorrows faced by many in his country and he simply wants Americans to be informed. Instead of protesting against sweatshops, Americans should help promote manufacturing.