iProtest

Behind every brand-new, shiny product in the shops is a story. Sometimes these stories might be uplifting and awe-inspiring, but oftentimes these stories are painful and depressing. And although we would much rather just shut our eyes and go on enjoying our new toys, some stories just need to be told.

Everyone who has spent any time around me recently knows that I am practically surgically attached to my iPhone, that I work on MacBook Pros and that I rely on an iPod Classic for my tunes. I might not be a voracious fangirl, but I am a fairly dedicated Apple consumer.

I didn’t get to go on the shoot (although my location proved useful when things got awkward in Chengdu for the team) but being involved in this documentary has given me a peek into the origins of my sleek, stylish gadgets.

After the making of this documentary, I admit that I am still using my iPhone and working on my MacBook Pro, singing along on my iPod. I don’t know if I can swear to never buy anything from Apple ever again. In a world where big companies and corporations always seem to be trampling on the little people, I don’t know if there is any product out there that we can use without guilt. Calling for boycotts probably won’t work, because you can’t boycott everything.

But that’s not to say that there is no hope for these campaigns. These stories still need to be told. Awareness still needs to be raised. Consumers still need to know about what is going on behind the scenes, and have the right to voice out their dissatisfaction. People still need to make these companies know that it is not okay, and to lobby governments to do more to protect labour rights.

There is no easy fix, and no one has all the answers. But thanks to amazing, inspiring activists like Debby and her friends in SACOM, there will always be hope.