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A Few of My Favorite Things

I've written previously about the surreal nature of Converse's Chuck Taylor All-Stars, the shoes I grew up in, now being owned by Nike and manufactured overseas.

The shoes I wore as a kid were emblazoned with "Made in the U.S.A." -- but then, many things were back then.

Tonight, as I was taking a picture of "some of my favorite things" for an upcoming online project, I realized that NONE of them are made in America.

My Chucks were made in China. My iconic America Levi 501's in Mexico and my Blackberry in...well, it actually isn't branded as coming from anywhere. But parent company Research In Motion is from Canada.

If I'd thought about it for five minutes I guess I would have laid money on all of these products being manufactured elsewhere - but having them all in a pile as things I can't do without and realizing they're all imports...it's a little creepy.

What are your favorite things...and are any of them American?

UPDATE: After reading this entry a co-worker relates the following story:

"I was in Wal-Mart looking for a pair of cargo pants. I picked up two pairs and looked at the labels. One was made in Bangladesh, one in Vietnam. So I'm standing there literally thinking: which one of these countries has worse child labor standards? Which of these pairs of pants makes me a worse person?"

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Tags: Clothes, Gadget Lust, My Favorite Things

Posted by Joe Killian on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 8:29 am

What do you think?

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Brad K. (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 10:40 am EST

I'm still wearing "Made in the USA" Chucks. After the pair I'm currently sporting wears out, I have another pair in the box. Then I'm screwed.

I bought out Blumenthal's in my size after Converse made the announcement.

K. Kennedy (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 2:18 pm EST

I'm reading culture shock at work so I can't check the origin for several of my favorite things. (My iPhone was designed in Cali but made in China.) However, atop my head - as usual - are a beloved pair of sunglasses I've had for over a year.

I only buy sunglasses from Sisters on Tate St. Began the tradition as a freshman at UNCG. I even stop there during visits to Greensboro to peruse their selection. I always felt good about buying them there because I supporting a local business. BUT! I just looked at them closely and on the right stem in delicate cursive script is one ubiquitous word: China.

Joe Killian (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 2:40 pm EST

Yeah -- I don't beat myself up too badly about it simply because it's so hard to buy things that are actually MADE locally or even domestically anymore.

For years I've been telling myself to buy Wrangler jeans -- I can see their headquarters from my office! But I'm not certain that I wouldn't find a "Made in Mexico" tag if I picked up a pair.

I'll have to look into that.

josh (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 3:45 pm EST

miller lite (made in the usa)

Joe Killian (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 3:54 pm EST

Better yet -- on so many levels -- Natty's brews or Red Oak. Made in Greensboro!

josh (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 4:08 pm EST

well thats comparing apples to oranges. i actually only live about 5 minutes from the red oak brewery off 40, i wonder if i can take a tour and drink beer there.

Joe Killian (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 4:47 pm EST

Indeed you can - there are brewery tours every Friday at 3 p.m.

Also, technically, I guess the brewery is in Whitsett, not Greensboro. But it's close enough to feel (and taste) good.

A. Venable (imported)

February 9, 2009 - 7:25 pm EST

It really is unfortunate that most items are made overseas....it is ironic to me that things like chuck taylors and levis that are iconic because they represent the American lifestyle are made somewhere in the middle of nowhere by some kid who will probablly never make enough to own what they are making...

Joe Killian (imported)

February 10, 2009 - 12:09 am EST

On some level it would be less disturbing if they were made in the middle of nowhere by some kid who will probably never make enough to own what they are making.

But if China was ever the middle of nowhere it's now an economic and industrial superpower that is outproducing and outperforming us.