Eric Schlosser on Food Justice

Eric Schlosser spoke for Tufts Hillel's Moral Voices Merrin Distinguished Lecture Series on food justice, their 2012-2013 theme. Schlosser is an investigative journalist and author of best-selling book "Fast Food Nation." In his lecture, he focused on the human injustices behind the food industry.

  1. Eric Schlosser finally takes the stage! "It's an honor to be considered a moral voice... I am far from morally pure or perfect."
  2. Tonight, Schlosser will discuss, "some of the biggest problems we face in this country today: racism, poverty, & unchecked corporate power."
  3. Schlosser explains how his interest in food began: looking into the economic impact of illegal immigrants in 1994.
  4. "Almost every fruit and vegetable... is carefully picked by hand," Schlosser. 90% of the people who pick these are illegal immigrants.
  5. Schlosser detailed the terrible living and working conditions of illegal immigrants, from earning less than the minimum wage to living outdoors.
  6. "The only explanation I can come up for this is racism," Schlosser.
  7. Schlosser's aim in writing fast food nation was to reveal changes within the food system that were hidden, since the food looks the same.
  8. Schlosser structured his entire book so that all roads led to the slaughterhouse and to the mistreatment of workers.
  9. Schlosser says "it's sad that there is more public outrage at the industry for the mistreatment of cows than for that of workers."
  10. "The fast food industry is targeting low income communities & people of color the way tobacco advertisers targeted children" #EricSchlosser
  11. But don't worry, guys. Schlosser isn't depressed about all of this. He's pissed off.
  12. "A food system based on racism and exploitation of the weak can never be sustainable." Eric Schlosser
  13. "We need to increase the minimum wage in this country, to make a living wage & we need to fight against racism & intolerance" -Schlosser
  14. "There will never be food justice in this country as long as there is injustice," #EricSchlosser
  15. Eric Schlosser leaves the podium, a member of Moral Voices wraps up the event. Want to join them next semester? http://www.tuftshillel.org/jl-sg-Moralvoices.asp?ID=31
  16. I went in expecting a speech about food, and I got a rant about social justice and the value of community organizing. Couldn't be happier.

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