The Declaration of Solidarity for the Globalized World

When you wake up in the morning and you turn on you shower, think about what it’s like when nothing comes out, make a pledge to use less water.

That’s solidarity.

When you get dressed each morning and it’s easy for you to fit into “girl” (or “boy”) clothing, think about those who are excluded by the gender system and make a pledge to challenge your own privilege.

That’s solidarity.

When you get into your car to drive to work, think about what it’s like when gas costs $4.00 a gallon and your daily salary won’t top $5.00 or $6.00, make a pledge to take the bus.

That’s solidarity.

When you spend $1.50 on bottled water think about the people who have dried wells because of agribusiness and have none to drink, make a pledge to use the tap.

That’s solidarity.

When you go grocery shopping and pick the out-of-season fruit, think about the entire family that works 12 hours a day to harvest it, make a pledge to support fair labor laws.

That’s solidarity.

When you drink a cup of coffee with lunch, think about the back-breaking labor and suffocating heat of drying the beans, make a pledge to support fair trade cooperatives.

That’s solidarity.

When you’re at work, sitting at your computer, listening to your iPod and putting information into your PDA, think about the millions who live without electricity, make a pledge to reduce your use.

That’s solidarity.

When you complain about your 8 hour work days at $10.00 an hour, think about those in your own country who work for less than $6.00 and those abroad who might make $2.00 in a day, make a pledge to value your economic comfort and live simply.

That’s solidarity.

When you throw out the leftovers on your plate, think about the millions of people suffering of malnutrition and starving, make a pledge to consume responsibly.

That’s solidarity.

When you hear someone degrade the presence of “new” immigrants in this country, think about how society can dehumanize people; make a pledge to speak out in defense of human, civil and worker rights.

That’s solidarity.

When another news story is about “immoral” prostitutes getting busted, think about the effects of marginalizing women who need/choose/are forced to partake in this form of labor, make a pledge to support their rights as humans and as workers.

That’s solidarity.

When you go to bed completely exhausted, think about the worker who is being forced to labor throughout the night, without any extra pay or benefits, make a pledge to demand employer responsibility.

That’s solidarity.

When you live you life, think about it long and hard, make a pledge to change the unjust practices in the world, to live the best that you can and to live a life sensitive to others.

ESTO ES SOLIDARIDAD!