My passion for fair trade started even before I knew the term. My desire to obtain just wages for hard workers began when I saw an orange tiger.
During the years I was growing up in China, I would often peruse the market streets for little odds and ends. One particular day I found myself window shopping in the open market, when I stumbled upon an old woman sitting on a little fold out stool. She looked haggard and tired, worn from a life of physical toil. But despite what I imagined her life to have been and currently be, I noticed the items she was proffering to passers by who might just take a quick glance at her craft. They were beautiful, intricately detailed Chinese tigers.
These tigers are a traditional Chinese item, thought to bring good luck and power to a household. Their short stubby bodies were made of bright orange fabric, with artistic touches of floral patterns on the side, bright little button eyes, and carefully threaded faces. Each tiger she offered was magically different in it’s detailing, each one offering a special personality and beauty to the buyer.
Despite the crafted beauty of these little tigers, I’m normally not much of a souvenir person. But as I gazed at this tired, plain looking old woman, sitting on her ragged fold out bench amongst a bright sea of beautiful orange tigers, the friend I was shopping with nudged me. “I just read an article in the newspaper about this woman. Her whole entire family has just abandoned her. She’s been left out in the cold to fend for herself, and these tigers are her only source of income”. I felt an urgent hand tug at my heart, and I kneeled on the ground asking how much the tigers cost. 35 yuan (5 dollars) she said in a quiet raspy voice. I fumbled for the bills, and picked out my very own Chinese tiger.
To this day, that orange tiger sits in my living room, forever reminding me that behind every item you touch, there’s a human being with a life story.
