[PEN-L:9585] Re: Michael Jordan and the global economy

[Michael Yates <mikey+@xxxxxxxx>]

I am teaching a course in global political economy this coming fall with
an anthropologist friend of mine.  In the textbook, "Global Problems and
the Culture of Capitalism," the author (Richard Robbins) citing William
Waits, argues that Santa Claus's major role was to "decontaminate"
Christmas gifts, removing the stigma of factory labor.  So in a question
list I am preparing for the students, I asked them if this is what
Michael Jordan does for the products he advertises.  Here is a
description of factory labor in Indonesia, quoted in a very good article
by David Harvey ("The Geography of Class Power" in Socialist Register,
1998):

"We are regularly insulted, as a matter of course.  When the boss gets
angry he calls the women dogs, pigs, sluts, all of which we have to
endure patiently without reacting....We work officially from seven in
the morning until three (salary less than $2 per day), but there is
often compulsory overtime, sometimes-especially if there is an urgent
order to be delivered-until nine.  However tired we are, we are not
allowed to go home. We get an extra 200 rupiah (10 cents U.S.)...We go
on foot to the factory from where we live.  Inside it is very hot.  The
building has a metal roof, and there is not much space for all of the
workers.  It is very cramped.  There are over 200 people working there,
mostly women, but there is only one toilet for th ewhole factory...when
we come home from work, we have no energy left to do anything but eat
and sleep."

Such is the misery that Jordan and those who do what he does
"decontaminate."

michael yates

Louis Proyect wrote:
>
> Atlantic Monthly, http://www.theatlantic.com
>
> A new book examines the economic impact of Michael Jordan and shows why his
> Airness represents globalism at its most powerful
>
> by Jack Beatty
snip