Most Ethical Olympics

"The Most Ethical Games Ever" - a slogan coined by the Commission for a Sustainable London, an organization promoting morality and ethical behavior during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Well, the games may not be as ethical as they had hoped.
Independendent News recently released an expose claiming that Adidas, the company behind the uniforms of the London team is utilizing sweatshops in Indonesia to make the uniforms.
Adidas released statements claiming that they are "investigating" the situation, but if their company is being accused of using sweatshops, what is there to investigate? Shouldn't they know what's happening within their company or at least be able to readily supply information about who is creating the uniforms they were so excited about (they were designed by Stella McCartney)? Addidas is definitely going to need to come up with something better than that.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-the-battle-for-the-soul-of-the-olympic-games-7643868.html

Environmental Crime

     In one of my classes we have been discussing environmental crime. I felt that this issue ties in with this class because environmental crime is hugely influenced by ethics. When considering white-collar crime, one rarely considers that it could be associated with environmental crime.  Edwin Sutherland defined white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.”  Generally, the widespread perception of white-collar crime is that it is committed in the corporate world, therefore, it only affects the corporate world; many fail to think of the different types of white-collar crimes committed or the secondary consequences these felonies cause. 
     In the instances of environmental white-collar crime, these crimes can do more than affect the monetary state of people in the workforce. Not only do these crimes continuously generate billions of dollars towards the profits of unlawful businesses and enterprises, but they are also harmful to the environment and as a result, harmful to the people living in it - triggering deficient health conditions or even death.
    The foundational attribute of environmental white-collar crimes is that they are committed for financial gain by well-informed and educated parties who try to find ways around the law.  It is essential that the general public becomes aware of the ramifications of the crimes committed by environmental white-collar offenders. The consequences of environmental white-collar crime are not oblique by any means; everyone is directly affected by the actions of these fraudulent corporations and businesses.
      I think that when considering these crimes, we need to take on a much less ignorant stance.  These crimes are committed by companies and organizations that we assist with funding. Without us, they have nowhere to stand.  It is our responsibility to watch and monitor what these companies are doing.  

Miss Universe 2012 pt. 2

According to the Miss Universe organization and Donald Trump, Jenna Talacknova is back in. 
Talacknova is back in the running for miss universe "provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions."
I think that for the organization, this is a great move.  They have proven that their case with Talacknova does not lie within the issue of her being transgender, but with simply with the fact that they want to ensure rules are being followed.

Talcknova said she's "confused" and would just like for the organization to make a clear statement which I can understand. She was exposed to the public.... the last thing anyone would want. I think
that it is amazing that the Miss Universe organization decided to continue to let Talacknova continue on with the competition, but maybe for the sake of Talacknova, they should consider making a public apology as well for the distress they may have put her under. But with that being said, bravo Miss Universe Organization!

Miss Universe 2012 Scandal

Should you be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe pageant even though you were accepted under the pretense of a lie? Jenna Talackova thinks so. And I would have to say in her case I agree. Jenna was born as a male, and later had reconstructive surgery to physically become a woman. The issue with Jenna's case is that she stated on a form that she was born female. I think that yes, Jenna did lie, but really who does this lie hurt? Jenna identifies herself as woman, yes it is crucial to follow the rules, but we live in a world so biased, and full of judgmental people that Jenna was probably afraid to come out to the whole world as a transgender individual - and put herself under the media's "microscope" (which ended up happening anyways). I feel that if Jenna has the traits thats the Miss Universe organization looks for in a "natural-born" woman then she should most definitely be allowed to compete. Who are we to judge what encompasses a true woman? She looks like a woman, she feels like a woman, and she wants to represent women... let the girl compete.

Continuation of Thoughts on TM Case

Still have thoughts on the Trayvon Martin case. It coerced me to truly look at the big picture when it comes to our race and society. I used to be discriminated against because I didn’t “act black enough” and some students within my race felt that I had no self-awareness or identity because I didn’t have the same interests as them; however, I was fully accepted by others outside of my race. I remember being told that unlike other black students, I wasn’t “scary or threatening”. Then there’s Trayvon who was discriminated against simply for “walking while black”.

There are some people in our own race who tell us that we should act a certain way and if we decide not do so we are alienated. The there are people who are not outside our race that tell us that if we do not act like them, we should be feared. Where do we fit?

Trayvon Martin Case

Upon first hearing about what happened to Trayvon, I honestly felt a deep connection to the case as many others have. I felt a surge of sympathy for his family and friends; I felt anger towards George Zimmerman and his idiotic decision, and finally disappointment in the fact that we are still dealing with racially charged issues such as this one.  What made the connection to this case so much more significant for me, however, was the fact that I have dealt with racial profiling as well, both from people within and outside of my race, and this case drove me to thinking about how unfair all of these racially charged issues are. 

The Trayvon Martin case has been one of the most followed stories in the media lately. His death has evoked such a huge response from the American people. This case just showed me that although we have evolved so much as a nation, there is still so much that we still have yet to improve on.  

Meat... to Eat or Not to Eat?

Ignorance is bliss.
That is the saying that kept repeating in my head as I read "Defending Your Dinner: An Open Contest For Hungry Ethicists"
I am a meat eater. I love meat and I am not going to lie about it. But despite my love for it, is it ethical? We're are all familiar with pamphlets promoting a vegan lifestyle. We know about the animal cruelty that takes place during the process of animal slaughtering. So why do we continue to eat meat?
I think, at least in my case, we opt for ignorance. We know that our sources for meat products, may also be utilize animal cruelty, but we choose to tell ourselves that since we don't know... it's ok.