In the midst of the toxic fumes and rapid industrialization characteristic of South Central Los Angeles, a community garden bloomed and flourished. With its inception in 1994, the South Central Farm supported low-income farmers, fed their families and provided green space for an otherwise completely urban area.
Sadly, the farm no longer exists. Bulldozed in 2006, the former site of the South Central Farm is currently in the process of being turned into a warehouse and distribution center for retail giant Forever 21, known for its colorful masses of cheaply manufactured clothing, shoes and accessories trendy enough for the most fabulous and frugal fashionista. The destruction of the farm, and thus the livelihoods of low-income farmers, is being replaced by another injustice ““ the advancement of a corporation with a history of churning out poor-quality, low-cost clothes and exploiting its workers.
Championed by surrounding communities and the likes of Joan Baez, Darryl Hannah and Danny Glover, the South Central Farm was once one of the largest urban farms in the United States. At 14 acres, it supported over 350 low-income families, a large number of them immigrant Latino farmers. The farm began operating in July 1994 when the L.A. Harbor Department granted a revocable permit to the L.A. Regional Food Bank. This nonprofit food-distribution network used the site as a community garden. Farmers from the neighboring community banded together as the South Central Farmers Feeding Families and became politically active when developer Ralph Horowitz sought to repurchase the property and succeeded in 2004.
The farmers were forcibly evicted, and the farm itself no longer exists. Despite the fact that the South Central Farm has peaceably provided a livelihood for these farmers for over a decade, it is now being replaced by the facilities of a corporation with an infamous history of labor exploitation.
In 2001, a worker’s advocacy group, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, filed a lawsuit against Forever 21, alleging that the company grossly underpaid and overworked its garment workers.
Both parties reached an agreement in 2004 “to promote greater worker protection in the local garment industry,” according to the settlement.
UCLA students were once actively engaged in the national movement, not only boycotting Forever 21, but also raising awareness of the company’s unfair labor practices and protesting alongside workers. According to the Daily Bruin archives, one employee at a 2004 protest who was interviewed said she had worked 50-hour weeks and earned unlawful wages ““ about $180 to $200 a week, or $3.60 to $4 an hour.
Though Forever 21 agreed to promote greater worker protection, eight years later, the prices of Forever 21’s impossibly large diversity of clothing, shoes and accessories have still remained low and irresistible, especially to trendy and frugal students. It is hard to believe their labor practices have improved.
We’ve all been to Forever 21, or are at least aware of its existence. Their bright yellow bags are hard to miss, and their shockingly affordable prices make it appealing to mall-goers nationwide.
I find it ironic that Forever 21 founders Don and Jin-Sook Chang are devout Christians, to the point where each Forever 21 plastic bag is written with “John 3:16″ ““ a passage from the New Testament that states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is a shame that the corporation’s adherence to their faith is not reflected in their labor policies.
It’s also a shame that Mayor Villaraigosa withdrew his support for the South Central Farm. He once promoted the idea of a “green LA.” I suppose receiving nearly $1.3 million in contributions and commitments over two years from Forever 21 for many projects, including his own reelection campaign, explains his sudden inaction and silence.
People started demonstrating against the building of this warehouse and distribution center last year. On Feb. 21, a rally was held in Old Pasadena by South Central Farm advocates calling for the boycott of Forever 21. Representatives of the chain play the employment card and insist the new warehouse would create around 1,000 new jobs, as well as preserve 1,500 existing Forever 21 jobs in the area. But the retail chain has a terrible track record regarding its treatment of workers and also its penchant for allegedly stealing the designs of high-end designers such as Gwen Stefani and Diane von Furstenberg, It remains doubtful whether these new jobs will be economically sustainable for its employees.
It is difficult to resist the low prices and cheap designer knockoffs that Forever 21 is famous for. But there are other options. Shopping at thrift stores can be challenging but also altruistic, environmentally friendly and fun. Saving for that more expensive but well-made dress or shirt is another alternative.
With the new economic burdens we face, we must curb our enthusiasm for consumption and be conscientious shoppers. We may be suffering, but there are others who are far more affected by the recession. We may have a right to fashionable, inexpensive clothing, but the Forever 21 garment workers have a right to fair working conditions, the South Central Farmers a right to their livelihood, and the community to their garden, too.
E-mail Do at ndo@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.