The Gentrification of Thrifting: Philanthropy vs Profit

 

Episode 02 (Notes)

Thrifting began as a highly stigmatized practice for low income people but increasingly people are thrifting for fun or profit, rather than necessity. This episode discusses the gentrification of thrifting and the misleading notion that resources are being stolen from the poor. Some believe that there simply aren’t enough second hand clothes to go around. But the truth is, we have too many.

We’ll explore excess consumption in the West, how leftover clothes from North America end up in Africa, and why thrift stores are raising their prices.

 
Felicia Falconer