The growing problem of inequality nationally and how to solve it will be the focus of three upcoming talks.
Inequality expert and activist Chuck Collins is the great-grandson of meat-packer Oscar Mayer and grew up privileged, but at age 26, he gave away his inheritance.
“I could see the amazing needs around me, the urgent needs around me, and I thought, ‘Well, I am going to be OK,’ and I thought, ‘I can pass the gift along,’” he said Wednesday in an interview with The Durango Herald.
Collins is the author of several books, including “Born on Third Base,” which calls for the wealthy to engage in reversing the trend of growing inequality, explains how taxpayers subsidize the wealthy and describes how philanthropy can contribute to inequality when managed incorrectly.
“Extreme inequalities of wealth and income undermine economic stability and health and growth,” he said. “They create volatility that leads to a breakdown of social cohesion and connection.”
La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition invited Collins to speak because inequality is prevalent locally and across the nation.
“It’s kind of fundamental to understanding a lot of the social injustice issues that are happening,” said Maureen Maliszewski, chairwoman of the education committee.
Public policy has driven growing inequality, and Collins believes the problem can be reversed.
“His perspective really is about social change. It’s not about Band-Aids,” Maliszewski said.
One of the first steps needs to be debunking myths that justify inequality, such as “wealthy people have what they have because they deserve it,” Collins said.
He also plans to discuss steps communities can take to address the problem, such as supporting local employers that choose to pay livable wages, he said.
Each of his talks will be framed differently. The first, at Fort Lewis College, will be focused on public policy; the second will focus on how wealthy people can help reverse inequality; and the final talk will explore the role of faith-based communities in responding to the issue.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
If you go
Chuck Collins’ first lecture will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Student Union Ballroom at Fort Lewis College.
His second talk about using wealth and power to reverse inequality will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Drive, in Bayfield.
His third talk about the role of faith communities in addressing inequality will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, 419 San Juan Drive.
