Where Am I Wearing Analysis

Kelsey Timmerman, the author of the book Where am I Wearing? takes the reader through a journey to different parts of the world to try to discover the origins of his favorite clothes. Timmerman’s objective is to bridge the gap between producer and consumer. This disconnect between producer and consumer has become greater do to the globalization of the different markets and in this case, the garment industry. Thus, Timmerman embarks on a quest to show the reader the human side of globalization. Timmerman felt that “the lives, personalities, hopes and dreams of the people who make our clothes were lost among the statistics.” (Timmerman 6)
Timmerman travels to Honduras, Bangladesh, Cambodia and China among other places and through his travels he learns
Learning about the life, struggles, hopes and dreams of these people allows us to see the human side behind this industry. In Bangladesh, a single mom of three named Arifa works for less than $24 a month and is concerned about having to send her child, Abir, to work to a different country. Timmerman explains that he sees the “sadness in her eyes as they drift to Abir…” (Timmerman 60). Arifa explained that where she lives there aren’t other options for the children. “It is not like in the USA or the UK. They don’t have a choice. I would like them to go to school longer but this isn’t possible.” (Timmerman 60). In Cambodia, Nari, a garment worker, had to spend fifty dollars just to bribe a man in order to land a factory job. This man is known as a “labor shark” and he uses his position to take advantage of individuals like Nari who need a job. “Fifty dollars is a month’s wage for Nari and it took her three months to pay him” (Timmerman 122). Furthermore, in China, Dewan and Zu Chun not only have no time off from work for holidays or vacation but