tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post6116126240507633426..comments2023-09-19T07:50:13.308-07:00Comments on Feminary: Dirty MoneyStasihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-33564224223524052082008-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:002008-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:00I work in the labor movement and am also a student...I work in the labor movement and am also a student at Fuller. First of all, it wasn't much of an act of penance on the part of Mr. Chang to pay the back wages--it's required by law and, even if he hadn't "settled" the lawsuit, he would have been required to make the workers "whole" by paying twice their back wages. In my experience, most employers who exploit workers like this continue to do it. In the 20 years I've been doing this work, I've never seen an employer like this do a 180 so, although I can't see into the heart of Mr. Chang, it would be unusual for this to happen.<BR/><BR/>In regards to Fuller's response, or lack thereof, at least they should come clean publicly. If there was remorse on the part of Mr. Chang--wonderful! Then Fuller has nothing to be ashamed of. If not, then Fuller needs to take a hard look at its policies. It seems ironic to me that in an ecclesiology class last quarter, we, as students, were challenged to know the source of gifts to our future churches for this very same reason. "What's good for the goose..."<BR/><BR/>We need to raise this issue with the PJCC...Karleen A. Junghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134562017587964683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-28165875929136273532008-01-09T12:09:00.000-08:002008-01-09T12:09:00.000-08:00That brings up another really interesting point - ...That brings up another really interesting point - when do we forgive? When does "dirty money" get cleaned? Obviously we believe in forgiveness and reconciliation as Christians. But then again, I go back to naming a building in honor of ill-gotten gains. Perhaps removing the name? There is always forgiveness...but there are consequences as well. (can you tell I've been reading the prophets all morning??)Stasihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-78676533941449312752008-01-09T12:03:00.000-08:002008-01-09T12:03:00.000-08:00Thanks for the response. You are right that it sh...Thanks for the response. You are right that it shouldn't take a lawsuit for a company to change their unjust (and sinful) business practices. Although it may be "better" if the money was accepted after the company had "repented", I agree that it is not the "best." But, assuming that there haven't been further infractions, it seems that at some point the company's donations should no longer be seen as 'blood money'...but, I don't know all the details, so who knows? <BR/><BR/>I'd love to go see the movie, but unfortunately I have class that night. <BR/><BR/>Again, thanks for writing about this. It's an important issue that shouldn't be ignored.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16843048231674814585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-79966305627683663472008-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:002008-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:00Dave, my point was more that if it takes legal act...Dave, my point was more that if it takes legal action to get a Christian to change something they shouldn't have allowed in the first place, then that still stinks. I would be glad to hear things have changed, but am still sorry it took so much time and effort especially for the workers who probably didn't have the time or resources! (and they did try to approach him without legal action first - that should have stopped it immediately and there should have been no need for a lawsuit - after the initial contact, ignorance could not be claimed) Offering back wages is a solution that sounds like repentance. I'm sure the filmmakers would know how the conditions may have changed - go to the screening if you can, they will be there! <BR/>I don't know when Fuller accepted the donation, but having worked in development, I know that a donation that size would be courted for several years, and considering the time it took for construction, it was probably around the time of the controversy. Usually a named building is a huge donation and it is not just offered, it is wooed.<BR/><BR/>To Ian, I personally don't have much beef with Larry Flynt (except I don't love exploitation of women, even if they agree to it), I just used him because he's definitely someone Fuller wouldn't take money from. I think!Stasihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10864458542635159512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-29877624330053558132008-01-09T11:18:00.000-08:002008-01-09T11:18:00.000-08:00Larry Flynt is a champion in many ways like Tom Pa...Larry Flynt is a champion in many ways like Tom Paine. I would implore you to check out his non-porn site www.larryflynt.com to see some of the work that he has done.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195272495216186192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428685.post-47690441484229101832008-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00Thanks for posting this. I haven't seen the movie...Thanks for posting this. I haven't seen the movie, so I'm not sure if they offer any updated information on the situation, but the Wikipedia entry for 'Forever 21' says that the lawsuit from 2001 (which appears to be the case documented in the film - let me know if this is incorrect!) was dropped after the company agreed to pay back wages to the workers. Obviously, if the working conditions, benefits, etc. of the workers have not improved, simply offering back wages is not enough to remedy the situation, but I haven't found any information that shows or suggests any documented exploitation after the 2001 incident/boycott. Do you know if there have been any more reported complaints against Forever 21 since 2001? <BR/><BR/>Also, do you know when Fuller accepted the donation for the new building? I'm curious whether it was before or after the 2001 situation...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for asking challenging questions - hopefully dialogue can happen and answers can come into the clear on this issue.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16843048231674814585noreply@blogger.com