Reflections on the widening gap between the have and have nots
The situation in our country today is such that a few enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living while the majority are deprived of such an enjoyment. The minority have everything and the majority have nothing. And there’s a widening gap between the rich and the poor. In the interests of adequate standard of living as a human right, such status quo needs to be addressed.
Many of our fellow citizens still live in circumstances which are hardly compatible with their dignity as sons and daughters of God. Their life is a struggle for survival. At the same time a minority enjoys the fruits of development and can afford to live in luxury and wealth. We appeal for a more just, fair, equal and humane distribution of the nation’s wealth.
It may be argued, of course, that those who enjoy the highest standards of living have achieved this through hard work and that they deserve the benefits of their efforts, regardless of the poverty affecting others. There are many reasons for rejecting this argument.
Firstly, it is sinful to keep for oneself an overabundance of wealth when one’s brothers and sisters are suffering and even dying for want of simple necessities. In such a situation, it is of no consequence how and why some people come to be excessively wealthy while others starve. Christian justice demands that sufficient sharing takes place to ensure that the basic needs of all are met.
Secondly, the rich are rich because the poor are poor.
Thirdly, even if the demands of charity are rejected, and even if it were possible to argue that those enjoying excessive wealth are fully justified in doing so, common sense dictates that our society cannot prosper under these conditions.
The good of each of us in the long term is secured and promoted by the common good of all. Glaring inequalities can only precipitate social instability and threaten the well-being of all, rich and poor. History abounds with instances where the rich and the powerful have brought about their own downfall by refusing to recognise in good time the legitimate demands of the poor.
As Jimmy Cliff sang in a reggae rhythm – Remake the World – a revolutionary transformation of our country is urgently needed:
Too many people are suffering
Too many people are sad
Too likeable people got everything
While too many people got nothing
Remake the world
With love and happiness
Remake the world
Put your conscience in the test
Remake the world
North, south, east and west
Remake the world
Gotta prove that are the best, yeah
Too many people are suffering
Too many people are sad
Too likeable people got everything
While too many people got nothing
Remake the world
Come on human dignity
Remake the world
Wipe strife and poverty
Remake the world…
Dr Fred M’membe
Garden Compound, Lusaka.