Attendees at the May 21 study session jointly hosted by Sisters Home Visitors of Mary and Marygrove Department of Mission Integration enjoyed a screening of the excellent Inequality for All film, followed by a group discussion as structured by the Network Education Program Mind the Gap and Mend the Gap campaigns.
Inequality for All is an eloquent and impassioned statement by former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich about how the devastating effects of America’s widening income inequality threatens not only the middle class but also the very foundation of democracy itself. Click here to preview Inequality for All.
The Mind the Gap and Mend the Gap campaigns are products of the Network Education Program. Network is a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace. Both campaigns discuss the impact on society of inequality in income levels.
Why does inequality in income level matter? It matters for many reasons! The short version answer is Wealth is Power. High income level persons are not necessarily evil or selfish. But because of their wealth they have inordinate power to affect the laws and customs of society. And they tend to exercise that power in ways that align with their world view; in ways that benefit themselves, their friends, their associates and their progeny … all of whom also are or will be high income level persons. Their world view simply does not include the poor or issues involving the poor. The impact lasts through generations. Click here for an informative video presentation.
Click here for the Mind the Gap homepage.
Click here for workshop resource materials from Mind the Gap.
Click here for Mend the Gap resource materials.
It is a well-known fact that current levels of production are sufficient, yet millions of people are still suffering and dying of starvation. This, dear friends is truly scandalous. A way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth, and not simply to close the gap between the affluent and those who must be satisfied with the crumbs falling from the table, but above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and respect for every human being.
— Pope Francis (6/20/13)