Comments on: Taking Action after Black Gold, Part VI: Go see the film, seriously

By: Cristobal

Cristobal — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:25:47 +0000

Hi All,

Great thread! and great website. Cheers to JC for being certified by MOSA!

Personally - I think Fair Trade as is will never be enough to level the playing field. What is needed is real relationships of solidarity with fair trade producers and fair trade roasters that help identify further acts beyond just buying fair trade certified coffee that can help bring about real lasting change in coffee producing communities. Check out our Oromia Photo Project - http://www.highergroundstrading.com/oromia-photo-project.html- for those of you who haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit with growers - there you will see a people quite proud but lacking in many necessities. We are doing the project to raise funds for a school - which was discussed in Black Gold - with OCFCU. So far we’ve raised a bunch!

By: mateotemprano

mateotemprano — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:39:56 +0000

Hey:

Well Heavy Kev, we actually did leave FT certification because TFUSA, as the FLO representative in the US, owns that particular combination of words here in this country. However, our FT practices are audited and verified by MOSA.

With a strange bit of synchronicity, the MOSA inspector actually just left 5 minutes ago with a positively glowing report!

Thanks to all who helped out with Black Gold, especially EE, Oxfam USA, and TFUSA!

-matt

By: Siel

Siel — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 06:46:33 +0000

That link for MOSA doesn’t work –

By: kev

kev — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:23:47 +0000

Just Coffee didn’t leave the fair trade certification roster, it just left Trans Fair. It is now certified fair trade by MOSA.

By: Siel

Siel — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 02:17:37 +0000

Thanks Demian :) And Rodney — Having a list of fair trade coffee shops avaliable’s a really good idea. For those who do make such lists — I’d like to suggest NOT including every single Starbucks in your town on the list — Perhaps just a lil note at the bottom saying Starbucks sez it’ll French-press its one blend of fair trade coffee on demand is enough. We need to give credit to the businesses that’re really committed to fair trade practices –

By: Demian Luper

Demian Luper — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:37:47 +0000

The promotional events that have taken place and will take place later this month are wonderful examples of how many different members of the Fair Trade movement can work together. One person who should be recognized is Al Liu of Alterra Coffee Roasters in Milwaukee WI. Back in June when Al and I were discussing ideas for Fair Trade Month, his company’s sponsorship of the Milwaukee Intl. Film Festival came up. Alterra has sponsored the event over the years and has a close relationship with the organizers. Al mentioned that Black Gold was being considerd as an official selection, and, the festival was hoping to host Tedesse for the screenings.

Several emails and a few conference calls later, a group of individuals came together to contribute their part to what hopes to be the Black Gold phenomenon. Here we are in October and the film is opening up all over the country. The buzz is building and judging from some initial sold-out opening weekends this film should be a hit (very important for all of you to see the film on opening weekend!) This all couldn’t have happened without the tremendous efforts of California Newsreel, International Film Circuit, Oxfam America, Just Coffee, Equal Exchange, Green Fest, NY Fair Trade Coalition, Bioneers, Thanksgiving Coffee, and many others who I’m probably forgetting but well deserve a shout out. I’d like to give a special mention to Jean Walsh and Elisa Baier of TransFair USA for working with many of the people I mentioned above to help make Tedesse’s tour a reality.

I’ve only contributed a drop into the bucket of this effort but it has been a great experience watching the momentum build. Though we have some differences of opinion on Fair Trade, it is awesome to know that we’ve worked together to promote something much bigger than all of us.

Demian Luper
Coffee Account Manager
TransFair USA
dluper@transfairusa.org

p.s. A big round of applause for Siel’s Taking Action after Black Gold series–demonstrating that making a difference is so much more than just seeing the movie.

By: Rodney North

Rodney North — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:46:28 +0000

It was alot of work to promote Black Gold in NYC, but was worth it. I’d encourage others in the movement to do likewise in their communities. Ideally you can work with the theatre operator to have a discussion/Q&A afterwards, as many movie-goers will still be wondering “what now?” after the credits roll.
We (EE & the NY Fair Trade Coalition) did this for 2 screenings in NYC and the audience seemed really engaged (ie no one left, lots of people asked questions & made comments).
I’d also encourage you to have available a list of where people can buy FT products in your town. For ex, volunteers could hand these lists to folks as they leave the theatre.
Note: the film tackles more than just FT-related issues, and FT is just one of many things that need to happen to tackle the situation revealed in Black Gold. BUT it may be the one tangible response that is most available for audience to act on.