The Soul of an Apprentice
I finally published my book, “Essential Inequality
& Social Justice in an Unjust World,” this week after a year of seemingly
endless nitpicking of words and phrases. In my book, I looked for causes of world hunger and poverty in our
world of plenty. It doesn’t seem realistic that nearly a quarter of humanity
goes hungry when there is enough food to feed everyone.
After some research, I
found a startling statistic: almost half of the world’s food is thrown away uneaten. But not only are we careless with our resources, we aren’t ethical in our
buying practices. We buy things made by underpaid labor, and even children. So the
problem of poverty and hunger is created by all of us, wherefore all of us are part of the
solution.
What can you do to create a more just world in which our common resources are distributed justly?
First of all, shop locally. It seems to make sense to drive a half an hour to go to the Big Box store, but the money you save by doing so, you lose in the total income that remains in your own local community. The more money you spend in your neighbors' stores, the more money there is available for education, health care, and safety. And these are all things we all need.
Secondly, by things made by well-paid labor. While you may initially feel the difference in your wallet, you will gain a safe community, for higher income average brings with it a lower crime rate. A lower crime rate makes it possible for children to attend school and gain a good education, which in turn lowers poverty.
Thirdly, by organic food. GMOs and other genetically modified foods are engineered to concentrate the profits in the hands of few, which will create poverty as family farms disappear and incomes drop.
Fourthly, by seasonal ingredients. Many farmers in poor countries produce cash crops for the First World, making it possible for us to eat foods in and out of season. But when a large portion of land is dedicated to cash crops, where is the food that the local people need to eat going to be planted? Cash crops create hunger by reducing the amount of food available in poor countries, which causes prices to soar.
Fiftly, avoid unethical companies. There are many websites that provide information about the ethics of large multinational companies. (See, for example, http://ethisphere.com/past-wme-honorees/wme2011/). People die every year in the developing countries due to unsafe work conditions. Make sure your money doesn't further this unjust and deadly practice.
Lastly, consider whether you really need those shoes you saw in the store, or whether you could live without them, and give the money to the local Rescue Mission, or sponsor a child in a developing country. There are a lot of things we want, few things we really need. Food, clean water, and a safe shelter are necessities we cannot live without, yet the lack of the most basic necessities is a grim reality for millions of people around the world.
We can all become part of the solution. It all begins with us.
Fiftly, avoid unethical companies. There are many websites that provide information about the ethics of large multinational companies. (See, for example, http://ethisphere.com/past-wme-honorees/wme2011/). People die every year in the developing countries due to unsafe work conditions. Make sure your money doesn't further this unjust and deadly practice.
Lastly, consider whether you really need those shoes you saw in the store, or whether you could live without them, and give the money to the local Rescue Mission, or sponsor a child in a developing country. There are a lot of things we want, few things we really need. Food, clean water, and a safe shelter are necessities we cannot live without, yet the lack of the most basic necessities is a grim reality for millions of people around the world.
We can all become part of the solution. It all begins with us.
Editor
Board of Directors, CCI
Secretary
Do you have a good source to check companies/charities that we donate to, to see how much overhead they have? I have seen the one everyone posts around facebook about how little "red cross" or something comparable actually gives back...it seems absurd (in a bad way) but I am not inclined to believe everything I see on facebook, or the internet.
ReplyDeleteAn easy way for us to understand how much our money does is say: At *Our Charity* __% of $1 is used directly towards __________.
You know of a good website or source for that?
Thanks!
There are some good websites out there, here's a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Guide-to-Giving/2010/1122/How-to-check-out-a-charity
Sometimes the efficiency of a charity cannot be calculated with the "85 % to the needy, 15 % to administration" formula. Some things cost more, others less. A recent research showed that charities that spent more on administration actually performed better, because there was more oversight.
http://www.whydev.org/good-charities-spend-more-on-administration-than-bad-charities/
In the end, even though we must be wise in choosing a charity, sometimes we just have to trust that the money goes where it should. Giving to charities where you know the people is a good way to minimize the risks, but then again, there are many worthy causes that are operated by people on the other side of the world, that you might never meet.
There is no easy answer. But if in doubt, do some research before sending the check.
I like the way Charity:Water has set it up. They get all their funding separately for salaries/income and running the charity that way they don't mix any donated/given money with that part of the business, so 100% of what you give goes directly to the 'work' and purchase of things to do the water wells and clean water. AND the administration part is paid for adequately, raised separately, and not done thru the media. ~~ That guy started out with Mercy Ships too. Scott Harrison.
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