Name

Eric Bomblatus

School

St. Edward's University

City or Town

Austin, Texas

Graduation Year
2012

How many hours are you able to commit to USFT weekly during the 2009/2010 school year?

10

Please summarize your experience in the Fair Trade movement.
I am a student at St. Edward’s University majoring in global studies with a focus on Latin America. To understand the region requires knowledge of economics, specifically related to trade issues. I am continuing to learn about the complexities of the region, including the impact of NAFTA on small farmers. There is also the fact a large volume of FT goods are produced in Latin America, such as coffee from Costa Rica or Bananas from Ecuador.  My sister is the general manager of the Community Mercantile, a cooperative grocery store in Lawrence, Kansas. She works closely with Fair Trade companies and has explained to me how the industry works. The rest of my knowledge comes from independent study, including a comprehensive thesis on the social and economic dynamics of fair trade and organic certifications in the coffee industry. In January, I helped coordinate a student convergence for the United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) in Austin. I worked with Terri Dove, the former southwest coordinator. I first learned of the USFT from Equal Exchange, so I was very excited to get involved. I have recently joined the steering committee for Fair Trade Towns-Austin. This was one outcome of the USFT convergence. Austin is sweat-shop free, which was largely supported by the Texas Fair Trade Coalition. So, beginning this project got off the ground quickly. In about two months, we planned a film festival to bring awareness of Fair Trade and certifying Austin as a FT town. It was held on World Fair Trade Day. Three films were shown, including informative panel discussions for each. There was also an outdoor event with vendors, art demonstrations and organization promoters. It was a huge success and personally, a learning experience. Last, I am a member of Fair Food Austin (FFA), a branch of the Student Farmworker Alliance (SFA). I am sure you know that the SFA works in solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). I have been very active in supporting their campaigns and was involved in the recent victory with Aramark. I was also in Florida last month during the Publix march. Part of the duty for the Domestic Fair Trade Coordinator requires organizing in support of the SFA and CIW. I would be best for this position, given my involvement and that I know the SFA steering committee (SC) member in Texas personally. 

What is your understanding of anti-oppression and anti-racism?

Anti-oppression means to not exploit or target an individual or group. To understand anti-oppression is to understand what it is not. Oppression is to impose beliefs, to impose cruelty (such as in labor) or to impose an ideology. Oppression takes many forms, such as one’s ethnicity, religion, gender or class. Racism is a form of ethnic oppression, which leads to prejudice. I prefer to use the word “ethnicity” because “race” is an illusion. It is a construct of society and does not exist, except on legal documents. Ethnicity is more respectful to the country an individual or group come from.

Why would you like to be on the Coordinating Committee?
I mentioned I know the SC in Texas for the SFA. His name is Cristian. He and I have started a student activist group at St. Edward’s (its name is pending). We are going to organize next semester. The group has several goals under the umbrella of social justice, including labor rights, immigrant solidarity and environmentalism. In addition to working with the SFA and CIW, we have made allies within the Austin community, such as the United Students against Sweatshops and the Workers Defense Project. By being on the Coordinating Committee, I can bring Fair Trade to the table. The group would act as a bridge by linking students to many other organizations, including of course the USTF. Yet we need the support of established organizations to create change. Last, I mentioned that I am an SC for Fair Trade Towns-Austin. As a Coordinator, I would serve as a representative for the USFT. Since the project is supported by Ten Thousand Villages and several other FT companies in Austin, I would also be a valuable candidate for the industry liaison.

What do you think you can bring to the CC?

I would apply the values of the USTF to the CC. I relate its values in my everyday life. I have local knowledge because of my involvement in the SFA, FT Towns and connection to social justice groups. These would be indispensable resources. I am also organized and dedicated. I enjoy working with others and using our passion and activism to evoke social change. Oftentimes, collaboration requires listening to understand when creating solutions and avoiding conflict. Diversity and creating a non-hierarchical student group is essential to avoiding oppression. Everyone is in this together and is equal; no one’s input should be ignored because of ethnicity, gender or status.

What is your vision for the position(s) you are applying for?

I am applying for these positions because of several reasons: To expand my knowledge of Fair Trade and social justice in general, to make new connections and alliances and to improve my organizing skills. Also, an important value of Fair Trade is the cooperative. What this means to me, and in relation to my vision, is to work as a community in which everyone has an equal say in the direction of the group. It works toward ending oppression by being an example of anti-oppression, with mutual understanding and respect among students.

What does Fair Trade mean to you?

Fair Trade is about working directly with small farmers in developing countries, and building a just economic model. It is an expedient for developed and developing nations to create equal opportunity in our globalized world. Fair Trade is a model that cuts out plantations, brokers, corporate exporters, and multinational corporations. Not only does it work to get cash into the hands of the people who need it most – the millions of small farmers around the world – it supports grassroots economic development. It keeps that money out of the neo-colonial agro-industrial complex, but also promotes environmental sustainability, community and empowerment.

Who are you, really? What are you passionate about?

I firmly believe that we are all connected, no one is separate. Nothing stands alone and we must work together. I have learned that the struggle of those less fortunate cannot be ignored. In other words, I cannot be apathetic, complacent or oppressive. That is why I love activism. It is an outlet to express myself and to help bring awareness of issues often below the public radar. I value respect, transparency, community and integrity – its part of my life. Since the Fair Trade movement shares these values, then Fair Trade is part of my life. I will continue to do this work well into the foreseeable future.