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Books by Maulana Karenga
Introduction to Black Studies /
Selections from Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt
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The Book of Coming Forth by Day
Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture
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Million Man March: Day of Absence
Handbook of Black Studies /
Maat, the Moral Idea in Ancient Egypt /
Kemet and the African Worldview
Kawaida Theory: An African Communitarian Philosophy
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Justice for the Poor
ETHICS OF A LIVING WAGE
One of the most important struggles for social and economic justice of our
times is the expanding and ongoing struggle for a living wage. The struggle is
essentially directed towards securing for low-income workers a wage which
provides for them with adequate means to support themselves and their families,
rise above the poverty level which entraps them and live a life of dignity and
decency due every human being. But the implications of this struggle for us as
moral and religious persons and for society are profound and far-reaching, for
it speaks to some of the most cherished moral concepts and concerns in all our
faith traditions.
RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
The struggle for a living wage speaks first to the central moral principle of
respect for the dignity of the human person. We take seriously the sacredness of
the human person and reaffirm the fundamental moral conviction that humans are
in the image of God and thus are possessors of a dignity, an inherent worthiness
which is inalienable and inviolable. Within this moral understanding we, of
necessity, link the right to a life of dignity with the right to a life of
decency, a life in which persons have for themselves and their families adequate
food, clothing, housing, education, health care and physical and economic
security and thus are able to live a good and meaningful life. And the living
wage is an indispensable way to achieve these social and human goods.
RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF WORK
Secondly, the struggle for a living wage speaks to the fundamental moral
principle of the dignity of work. In our ethical traditions, the worthiness of
work is grounded in its being both a reflection of the Divine act of creation
and a process by which we engage in co-creation, practice responsible
stewardship and realize the essential meaning and mission of human life to
constantly bring good into the world. Thus, we reaffirm the right and
responsibility to engage in purposeful and productive work as far as one is
able, as essential to a person's dignity, self-respect and sense of purpose and
worthiness in the world. And we maintain that workers have a right to just
treatment on the job and in separation and this includes a just wage, adequate
benefits, satisfactory working conditions, economic security and the right to
organize, engage in collective action and participate in all decisions that
affect them.
CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE
Thirdly, the struggle for a living wage highlights and upholds the essential
principle of moral obligation to care for and support the poor and most
vulnerable among us in their struggle to empower themselves and live full and
meaningful lives. In fact, the heart of the living wage struggle is to improve
the lives and life-chances of the poor and low-income workers and to contribute
meaningfully, not only to the easing of their poverty, but also to the ultimate
elimination of it. Moreover, this struggle reminds us of a fundamental teaching
in our faith traditions that a key moral measurement of any society or economy
is the quality of life and treatment of the vulnerable and poor. Thus, in a
larger sense, this struggle speaks to our conception of and commitment to a
truly just and good society.
IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE
Fourthly, the struggle for a living wage calls for our reaffirmation of the
foundational moral principle of justice in and for the world. For just as
dignity is the central moral pillar in our conception of the human person's
worthiness in the world, justice is an indispensable way in which we demonstrate
due respect for this inherent and inalienable worthiness. Whether we talk of
economic justice or the larger more inclusive concept and practice of social
justice, the principle speaks to the moral obligation to give a person what is
due, deserved, fair and rightful, whether in the general sphere of life or in
the specific context of work.
In conclusion, the struggle for a living wage has become a mirror and measure
of our commitment to some of our most cherished moral principles which undergird
and make possible our conception and realization of the just and good society.
We are thus morally compelled to commit ourselves as religious and moral persons
to active and ongoing support of workers and the labor movement and to engage
fellow members of our churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and others in doing
likewise. This means making common cause with working people and the unions
which represent them, lending added moral authority to their just claims,
standing and walking with them and collaborating with them in joint activities
to secure economic justice at the work site, and in legislative, administrative
and management venues. It also means that we constantly join together with
working people and the labor movement on common ground in other struggles to
build the moral communities, just society and better world we all deserve and
want to live in.
Prepared by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Seba,
Temple of Kawaida,
Member, Advisory Committee, CLUE
Seminar in Social Theory and Practice XXII /
Kawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies
July 17-24, 1999
By Dr. Maulana Karenga
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update 23 June 2008
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