My World Vision

This week, World Vision, one of the sponsor a child organizations, announced that it would hire married gay people.  And then a lot of people freaked out and threatened to pull their support of children.  So World Vision recanted and decided not to hire married gay people. 
It never occurred to me that a business would have such a policy.  I knew that my catholic school had such a policy because the gym teacher was fired for moving in with a divorced women.  It was shocking.  Not really, as we were all almost adults and didn't really care who the gym teacher was banging. 
Anyway, this World Vision debacle has made me think about how little I know about the businesses that I may or may not do business with.  I didn't do business with World Vision as Danny and I sponsor a child through Upbound.  So I don't have to get up in arms over this, though it makes me sad. 
I am not an informed shopper and I really need to start.  Working in retail, I have noticed a few practices that I am not keen on.  Revlon sends their lip liner in a box.  The lip liner is already carded and is then shipped in a box.  One liner per box.  The other companies are not much better, putting two eye liners in a box.  Garnier shrink wraps many of its hair sprays together and then puts them in a cardboard box. 
I recently expressed interest in a company that sells bags, jewelry and accessories.  I searched their website to find out where the products are made and could not find anything.  I have made the personal pledge to only buy things I don't need from local or fairtrade.  Needless to say, I won't be buying from them.  I have to make the better choice with my dollar so that someone can have the opportunity to make choices with their dollars. 
In my bathroom I have started the switch from mass produced heath and beauty products to more natural ones.  The first switch was from drugstore body wash to all natural soap from New Zealand.  In the future, I won't buy New Zealand soaps, I just happened to be there.  But I will continue to buy the most natural of products.
Educating myself is going to be a long process.  I don't think the information is going to be easy to access.  The companies that are proud of their record will promote their record.  The companies that aren't will have broad stroke statements about their commitment to fair trade, fair wages and the environment.  This ought to be fun.
Years from now I hope to have a cabinet filled with the best that I can buy.  The best for me and you and the earth.  I hope that I can be living a smaller life.  I hope that I can minimize the kick in the face that I am giving the earth.  I hope that I am buying from and supporting companies that are stewards of the earth and friends of their fellow man.