Sweatshop at WSHS

The teacher wanted her students to sweat, so she installed three heaters in the classroom and posted signs reading, "Work or no pay," and "No eating."

No, she was not an abusive teacher, this was done to simulate the sweatshops of China and Latin America so student could learn of the unjust treatment of employees, especially children.

It was in Heather Tullius' freshman language arts class at West Seattle High School.

Students alternated duties cutting patterns, sewing seams, and dying jeans blue. Some played "supervisor" and others "security guard," barking orders at the workers for a realistic touch, and seeming to have a bit of fun, too. Tours of their "factory" were given to other classes. Signs were posted and an area to feed workers was set up with white rice only.

Latisha Evans was a tour guide. When a class entered the room she began, "They work 14-18 hours a day, seven days a week. Bosses are strict. There is no slacking off. They are underpaid and are there to support their family back home. The factory is far away so they don't get to go home. Think about that next time you buy blue jeans," she concluded as she led the tour past those sewing busily.

She added that excess blue dye is dumped into city streets and is unsanitary. Evans advised people to "buy jeans that are 'Earth-Friendly' even if a little pricier."

Student Sira Lichtman volunteered two of her mother's sewing machines for the project.

"Everyone in our family likes to sew," she said while concentrating on a pant leg. "My grandmother taught my mother. Working in a real sweatshop would be tiring and boring, and I wouldn't be able to speak."

Situated next to Lichtman was Pricsilla Truong sewing colored bands to jeans on one of Lichtman's two machines.

"I feel sorry for them, especially the kids," said Truong. Clothespins sat next to her sewing machine.

"We saw a photograph of a young girl working in a sweatshop who had to put clothes pins on her eyelids to keep them open when she got sleepy so she could continue working."

"This model is based on the (PBS) documentary 'China Blue' about a blue jean sweat shop in China," said Tullius. In the secretly filmed movie, large American retailers are mentioned as customers of the heavily guarded factory.

"I realize my students wear jeans but not all garment factories are sweatshops and they are learning about making important choices in their lives."

Steve Shay may be reached at steves@robinsonnews.com