TALK WECOMEONE

Whether it’s left or right, hate or love, religion or science, life is full of choices. Does choice limit our freedom to think? It’s really odd how much we do it each day. The rational person weighing what is right and wrong whilst others going for that spur of the moment.

However, are we thinking freely? Sometimes I don’t think we are. Are there limits to how we can express our opinions. A freedom of speech ironically speaks for itself. It is good for humanity but we simply do not make the most of it.

Without a revolution of thought, there can be no further development of our freedoms in life.

The following quote demonstrates this:

“Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom… The power to choose, to respond, to change.”

Steven R. Covey

It really is this simple to be top to toe in eco friendliness, be bold and really stand out from the crowd.  

For Him -

Wecomeone - My Message T-Shirt

Terra Plana - Panther Shoes

Pure Sativa - Hemp Tank Bag

For Her -

Wecomeone - Make Unique Hoodie Kelly Green

Pure Sativa - Small Hemp Tank Bag

Terra Plana - Dopie Ladies Shoes

Its a topic which has possibly dented economic freedom. With fairtrade booming over the past two years, what about the ethical free market?

With our carbon footprints firmly in the limelight, the following video poses a dilemma over whether we should support farmers abroad or our home grown. Yes its a tough decision. Almost every country exports goods. So why should we pick on one group?

Its known that British grown tomatoes are cheaper to buy in Ghana than Ghanaian tomatoes.

It would also be tough on a country such as Kenya. 70% of their flowers are exported generating a sizable amount for farmers.

Have the freedom to express your view and let us know what you think.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6750000/newsid_6751200/6751201.stm?

‘Freedom is the right, or the capacity, of self-determination, as an expression of the individual will. ‘ – http://en.wikipedia.org
 
People all over the world strive for personal and public freedom everyday. Sometimes freedom can have different meanings for different individuals. For some it could be finding a quiet moment to gather their daily thoughts, whereas, for others it could be overcoming exploitation, fighting for civil rights or for the environment.
 
On 13th August 2007 we suddenly realised what Freedom is.  It dawned on us that we should promote & celebrate Freedom, protect the freedoms that we already have, and what it took thousands of people, thousands of years to achieve – not forgetting their sacrifice.  While thinking about what to have for breakfast that morning, a further realisation occurred to the team – does everyone enjoy the rights and freedom we enjoy?  Clearly not!  Why not?  So a part of our campaign is to spread awareness of all the Freedoms we should still be striving for. 
 
We decided on four broad categories
 
Political freedom is simple.  It is the right for every “people’s” of this little planet to live their lives according to their own wishes.  In other words no country has the right to subjugate another culture or country. Our campaign marks the end of imperialism, the exploitation of culture and race and the growth of democracy. We are celebrating people’s right to govern themselves and supporting nations where political freedom is absent. We actively lobby and promote to free exploited countries and cultures. Some of these include Tibet, Peruvian Indigenous people and persecution of minorities in all Middle East Countries.
 
Environmental Freedom is our little dream.  It is the right of every living thing on this planet to live. 
 
It’s funny really, but when you’re in tune with reality, not everything smells like roses, especially when it comes to Economic Freedom, that’s when things really stink of exploitation.  A Ghanaian friend of ours recently told us a “stinking” story.  Did you know that British grown tomatoes are cheaper to buy in Ghana than Ghanaian tomatoes, which come from the farm down the road!  How can this possibly be?  It just doesn’t make sense!
 
Well at Wecomeone we believe in the Free Market – so lets make it really free for all people of this planet and not just a few that enjoy government subsidies.    
 
What religion are you?  Do you even believe in God?  Do you believe in global warming?  Do you believe we have a good education system in this country? 
 
So where did you get your beliefs from – your local church, down the pub, from the Sun newspaper, from your teacher, or did you truly realize the truth for yourself?  Are we thinking – or are we merely following? 
 
At Wecomeone, we want to have the Freedom of Thought.   

Freedom is a sacred right of every living creature on this planet.  If we don’t work for it, who will?  Will you?  And if you don’t, then who will?

• Having fun – or its not really worth doing!
  

• Spreading awareness of all our “many” issues – and we have plenty!  We’re going to be “exploiting” the media and actually getting them to publish something truly worthwhile.
  

• Art is an expression of will – and we have a will to be free – so we’re going to be holding freedom exhibitions from next August 2008 – but the planning starts now.  So if you’re an artist who has the “will” to be free then email us at art@wecomeone.co.uk or ring us at 0121 2868283
  

• Emails – we hate them!  But then we can’t live without them.  So, we’re going to do what any company with integrity does – bombard our friends with Freedom emails and get them to bombard you.
  

• Our friends at the Open Dreams Foundation will be organizing events throughout August & September 2008, to raise money for those who are still striving to be Free.
  

• Bombard your friends with our emails
  

• Actively get involved and support other freedom organizations.
  

• Still want more – then visit our blog at www.wecomeone.co.uk/blog and get your voice heard
  

• Look – we’re not a charity – we’re a warm blooded money making machine – so why not help us do more by visiting our shop and check out our FREE sale.  http://www.wecomeone.co.uk/
  
   
• Ever felt that you didn’t have the freedom to say what you wanted?  Well now you do – take part in our Freedom Survey – and seriously say what you think – we’re going to be asking the questions from 1^st September 2007.  http://www.wecomeone.co.uk

• If you are an artist or you know any budding artists who would like to exhibit their work in the freedom art exhibition which will be held in 2008 email art@wecomeone.co.uk

Wecomeone believe in these issues and we actively support and promote them. It may be on a small scale, but it’s a start.
 
All our collections are made from organic cotton produced in India and using only organic dyes, which are free from pesticides and chemical free. We believe in protecting and saving the biodiversity of our planet and ensuring farmers in the 3^rd world get an opportunity to sell and compete in the market fairly.
 
Eviction notice - Freedom of Preservation
Sometimes our environmental freedoms are not emphasised as much as the other freedoms we have. We have the freedom of travel and enjoying scenic views of nature, only until we go out to the park to find a rusted shopping trolley dumped in the river. The squirrels are setting up a neighbourhood watch for lumberjacks, but there is an ever-growing eviction notice waiting for the eco system.
 
We follow the Fair Wear Standards this means paying our farmers a fair wage that will take them out of the cycle of poverty, and thereby, giving them the rights & freedoms that you & I take for granted. We also ensure there’s no use of child labour.
 
Be a king – Political Freedom
There are 48 squares on a chessboard, not one piece can move without the king. A king is unique and has the power to change. The King represents leadership. Be a King. Be a Leader. Be one who brings about change. 
 
Wecomeone isn’t alone – it has a family.  Within this family we have an Institute that does a lot of “free thinking”.  It runs ‘Think’ Sessions where we challenge our existing ideas and beliefs about everything. Some of our designs have evolved from this “freethinking”.
 
Our freethinking often spills over into our blogs and emails – so register with us and begin your journey into freethinking. 

Day Dream - Freedom to Think Freely

The inspiration behind this design comes from the freedom to promote at least one wacky thought a day for that split second. We should let go of the ideas we keep locked inside and find freedom in ourselves.

August and september are all about Wecomeone celebrating freedom. One key aspect to our Freedom Campaign is environmental freedom - Wecomeone supports this in the following ways -

We use Organic cotton from India and Organic dyes in the production of all our collections.We believe in protecting and saving our biodiversity of our planet and ensuring farms in 3^rd world get an opportunity to sell and compete in the market.

Fair Trade Standards -we pay our farmers equivalent to International Fair Trade Standards and ensure there is no use of child labour, we use local NGO’s to examine working conditions and child welfare. This gives these children the opportunity to educate themselves.

We know its early days as this is the first year we’re launching this campaign but with your support we can celebrate and promote Freedom. So Wear Freedom, break the mould and become a part of our campaign.

Hope you enjoy the Freedom sale, we’ve even given you complete outfit choices below - all fair-trade and organic of course.

Wecomeone: Make Unique Hoodie - royal

Terra Plana shoes: Root

The Green Apple: Chipps Shorts

Wecomeone: Day Dream T-shirt

Terra Plana shoes: Grass

The Green Apple: Lois Shorts - Khaki

Lets be realistic. How often each day, or even each year do we think about our freedom? Once… Twice or maybe less. August marks a month where many countries have fought for independence. This has to an extent enabled us to have freedom in our thoughts and actions.

The following quote by C. Wright Mills summarises how important freedom is and why we should not take it for granted.

“Freedom is not merely to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives. Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them - and then, the opportunity to choose”.

Charles Wright Mills