Sadly, all is not fair trade in love and war.

Today I declined a piece of Hershey's chocolate, explaining that I do occasionally eat brands that aren't strictly fair trade, but I don't make exceptions for Hershey's. The response? "You know, one person not eating chocolate won't change the world." 


Over three years of pondering the subject of fair trade has indeed led me to the conclusion that I alone will not "change the world" though my choices. Yet, my decisions do result in positive change, however minute. Considering how to respond, I amused myself envisioning the reaction if I were to tell the starfish story. You remember the starfish story: hoards of starfish are strewn across a beach, stranded by a storm. A man is plodding  along the shoreline, bending down periodically to pick up a starfish and throw it back in the water. Inevitably, a naysayer shows up at the scene and is askance! "Why are you wasting your time? You're not going to be able to help all of them. What difference are you making?" The starfish savior patiently throws another creature back in the ocean as he continues: "It made a difference to that one."


Needless to say, I didn't share the starfish story because it has become cliche, and I thought a serious response would be more appropriate than seizing the moment for self-amusement. Essentially, my response was that I do care deeply about affecting change. However, my primary motivation is that we are called to do what is right. I stand before the Lord, not other people's opinions or even my own lofty dreams. In moments when there is no clear, "Thou shalt not" governing an action, I abide by my conscience.


After the conversation ended, I wondered what people would say if I cited dieting as the motivation behind refusing chocolate. Would people find it commendable? If so, why would the personal goal receive more support than the altruistic goal? Speaking of social perception, many of my peers find voting a waste of time, but they are eager to support social justice through commerce. Think of the Tom's Shoes phenomenon, for example. (Not the most efficient way to conduct aid work, by the way.) Middle-aged people seem to think voting is a citizen's duty but are not interested in being part of social movements. I think of every dollar as a vote. Does that make me a young visionary with a middle-aged soul? Well, I do hope to see the day when requesting the fair trade Estima brand at Starbucks is just as natural to people as checking for a blue recycling bin when they finish their Cokes.


These are the topics that occupy my mind as I click through Excel and weave my way down the 101 freeway.