YOUR AD HERE »

Slaughter: Mardi Gras: Made in China

Kathryn Slaughter, Silverthorne

Is it not ironic that our culture is morally against acts such as slave camps and horrible working conditions and yet we support them in lieu of Mardi Gras season?

Many, if not most, of the beads that are purchased come from China. Many, if not most, of the workers are paid less than a dollar an hour – try around ten cents – for their labor. Many, if not most, workers are over-worked in producing our precious, shiny plastic beads.

Why bring conscious in when there is much fun to be had, though? And, perhaps, much money to be made.



Our society is mostly one that embraces principles of utility. That is, a society that tries to maximize well-being and happiness for the greater good. In this theory, anything, or anyone for that matter, can be seen as an instrumental good so long as it promotes well-being and happiness for the greater good. The greater good, I guess, is that of the U.S. China’s population far exceeds ours, though.

Kathryn Slaughter, Silverthorne


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.

Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.