I am reposting/moving up this announcement of the Chiquita boycott because I would like more blogs to cover this issue (please). Immigration Orange is working hard to make sure Chiquita’s iniquitous activities are not swept under the rug, and I am one of those helping. So spread the word, everyone! Here is my post of 4 July:
I would like to highlight once again that it is time to boycott the products of Chiquita Brands, a child of United Fruit. The Changeseeker explains very well why. Immigration Orange has a comprehensive post on the matter and its background, with excellent press links, and there was a good article more recently in the International Herald Tribune. An additional reason to boycott Chiquita Brands is the abominable Chiquita Banana Song.
The video embedded here was made by Brazilians, adapting Belafonte’s Banana Boat Song, on stacking bananas, to other types of repetitive work. The next time I am beset by an overwhelmingly large set of papers to grade, or anything else like that, I am going to play Day-O and get into the rhythm of pitching hay or bananas. My attitude will improve.
For people who have not listened closely to the words of the Banana Boat Song, the speaker is on the night shift, loading bananas into a boat that will take them to foreign markets. It is heavy work – six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch! – done on a drink of rum, that other tropical product, less expensive than food. Daylight come and me want go home. Workers are paid by the piece – Come mister tally man, tally me banana. Daylight come and me want go home.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
But here in Mexico I bought bananas – they aren’t Chiquita, they are from Chiapas, although they may have been produced in bad conditions as well. My apples are from Chihuahua.
great post. haunting.
Not just heavy work, but dangerous work:
“A beautiful bunch a’ ripe banana
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Hide the deadly black tarantula
Daylight come and me wan’ go home”
Can we do a banner of some kind so folks can out it up on the blogs.
OK, so I say we but must admit that I know nothing about how to do a banner.
But I know that Tom does and believe that if I ask nice enough ….
Am I reading you right … you are in Mexico right now?
Best wishes Prof Zero.
Ridwan
ooops … I see the date on the post when you were in Mexico. Sorry.
Ridwan
Liz – hard work indeed! Glad to see you here.
Ridwan – Sorry, why? I’m reposting … trying to get you to do it too … was going to approach Tom on it, but he did it all on his own! 😉
Hi again Ridwan – now your earlier comment came through – I was in Mexico in July but now I’m in Louisiana! Banner, good idea, I don’t know how but I gather Tom does? Hmmm…!
just got over here- and i will look it over and post tomorrow!