There has been little change in the wealth gap between white families and black and brown families over the past 40 years. The stories of successful projects and great conversations are plentiful, but they have not significantly changed the overall lack of wealth for black and brown people. There seems to be something missing–a variable of sorts that we have not yet figured out. It’s like we’re dealing with a complicated equation, but we have yet to solve the basic algebra question: we have not solved for X.
I am a person of faith, and I deeply believe in a power beyond ourselves that is present and available. I do believe we can change systems. We have seen them change in the past, yet when it comes to wealth our faith and belief seem to fall short, and the practical doesn’t change all that much. Faith and works don’t seem to be on the same page, and I am deeply concerned.
What is the X we have not solved for when it comes to closing the wealth gap? I think perhaps we may be violating some basic human standards that seem to be keeping us from reflecting our Creator in our economic systems.
Here are a few of the basic human standards on my list:
The acknowledgment of wrong: If you do something wrong, the beginning of moving forward starts with a basic apology: “I am sorry.”
There is no hierarchy of human beings: every person is equal and should be treated as such. Whenever or wherever human hierarchies exist in systems, thought, and practice, a just society is nearly impossible
Individualism is a behavior, not a human reality: There are no self-made people. Every single person is made to be in community, and no one is self-made. We all were cared for by someone at some point from the time we were born. Yes, people can behave individually, but this behavior limits equality. It creates the illusion of classes of human beings.
The “get all you can” mentality: There is no answer to the question, when do you have enough? “Enough” falls out of the system, and a culturally acceptable norm of greed takes its place. We then live in the reality of “get all you can,” which has an unspoken amoral-based practice. Right and wrong get cloudy when the value is “get all you can.”
The exploitation of people who are challenged financially: When it’s more difficult to make ends meet, you generally pay more for goods and services, interest rates are higher, insurance policies cost more, and predatory lending is prevalent.
Giving becomes a way to push values: If we have the means to give significantly, then we are often able to set the parameters as to how, when, and who will qualify. This is helpful, but it is not giving in terms of Christian values in my opinion. This is more directing where, when, and how our money will be spent, and it remains our money, just distributed by someone of whom we approve. Giving has an element of release and an honoring of the recipient being able to solve problems. There is a human value of respect and dignity by giving with no expectation or value attached. This is a higher risk because the giver’s values are not centered.
Repair: so much of the wealth that exists has been generated over generations through some very exploitative times using black and brown bodies to acquire it and limiting their access to it. There is still an enormous debt repayment to be figured out, and, as long this conversation continues to be delayed, a just and equal economy will stay in the distance.
These X factors are some of the reasons that we don’t see much movement in the area of wealth for black and brown people.
We are incredible at programs and small achievements which have helped, but can we move the big needle? We have thousands of good stories and books, but the seismic shift needed will take more. We must solve for X.