Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices

"Every decision has a price tag."This is a truth Julie Clawson lays down very early in this book. It is also a truth that each and every one of us should be more aware of as we go about our daily lives. In so many ways, we are unthinkingly doing things that seem completely normal to us but are contributing to systems of horrible injustice in ways we don't even realize.In Everyday Justice, Julie Clawson picks seven of these normal things (like the coffee we drink, the gas we put in our cars, and the clothes we wear) and exposes how our unthinking choices of going with the cheapest or most convenient options contributes to social injustice in one form or another. In other words, she exposes the unseen price tag for our unthinking decisions.In each chapter, Julie Clawson then gives often two or three (or more) ideas for ways we can make very small changes in our lives that help us "opt out" of the system of injustice she has just exposed. Most of these ideas are very simple and can easily be implemented in pretty much all of our lives. I was actually encouraged by how many of these ideas (or similar) I have already chosen for my own life. Clawson usually includes a personal example here of someone who made a change and how it impacted them and/or others.JC then closes up each chapter with a collection of books, movies/documentaries, and websites available for those who would like to dive further into that chapter's particular topic. I love this because, while some of these topics "didn't speak to me", others I have been and continue to be very passionate about and would love to go further in learning what is and what needs to be done.Two minor complaints I do have in this book. 1) Many of these ideas are very USA (or at least 1st world) specific. Since I am not living in the States or the West, these ideas or options are not available to me. On the flip side, some of these problems don't apply to me either (ie all my fruits and veggies are pretty much automatically organic, locally grown, and only available seasonally)The second complaint I do have is that she did not even mention the single greatest human right that is denied to so many. It is a human right denied to all too many that each and every individual should be able to hear an adequate, culturally understandable presentation of the gospel. When Jesus came and declared his mission, he said he came to bring good news to the poor, release to captives, freedom to the oppressed, and sight to the blind. But he also came to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. All too often we have people and churches either doing exclusively the former or the latter but all too seldom are people doing both. Julie Clawson had an excellent opportunity to share ideas on how these minor changes in justice issues can be coupled with the spread of the gospel. Unfortunately, she let this opportunity slip by.

I really wanted to love this book, because I'm very much into many of the same goals in my own life. Raised our son with cloth diapers, for example. Drive a Prius, when we drive at all. Caring deeply about helping the poor, both here and abroad. But having a degree in economics myself, I just can't get past the pervasive economic ignorance in this book.Almost every page assumes that whatever horrible thing is happening to the unfortunates who grow our cotton, grow our coffee, sew our T-shirts, assemble our shoes, etc. in various poverty-stricken countries would magically heal if only we stopped buying such products. The author retains this view even while pointing out how, for example, when Disney was confronted about clothes it sold being reportedly made in a Haitian sweatshop, it "solved" the problem by moving the business to an even worse factory in China. I'm fine with blaming Disney for not living up to its desired image as child-friendly. But how are now out of work Haitians better off after the change?Thomas Sowell, in his excellent book  Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy, Revised and Expanded Edition  asks the question "And then what?", meaning whenever we advocate an economic change, we should first think how that change will play out over time. That, in short, is what I do not see happening in this book.One happy story is how Nike has helped those who make its shoes, not by taking its business elsewhere, but rather by monitoring its suppliers to be sure they treat their employees fairly. Apple too responded effectively last year when questions arose about conditions in a Chinese factory making Apple products.One exception to the above critique is that I am in full agreement with the final chapter on the need to forgive third world debt, both for the Biblical "Jubilee" reasons cited, and for practical economic reasons. Yet even here, there is more to consider - namely how to help nations whose debts are forgiven avoid incurring new equally-bad debts?Let us indeed be gentle as doves. But let us also be wise as serpents.Last word: Thanks much for all the links for further reference and next steps, and for the excellent Biblical references and analysis throughout. Those both make this book a keeper for me.

This is certainly a powerful yet simple presentation of living out biblical justice in today's world. Julie presents a clear, logical and easy to read way in which followers of Jesus can have a meaningful impact upon suffering in the world, be they conservative or liberal in their leanings. This is truly a valuable treasure in showing a practical way to reveal the character and nature of God through our daily Christian walk. This can very well be the individual launching point for some Christians looking for a means to be a force of change on our planet. Don't be surprised if the little flicker of light from your life can become part of a much brighter and glorious revelation of God's love in a world that continues to struggle in darkness. I loved this book and its triumphant message of change. We're not individually called upon to solve all the problems facing our world, but here's some practical ways to demonstrate Christian caring and to bear witness to the new heaven and new earth promised by God.

As the author says, don't panic. This is a starting point. What you do with it is a series of small steps towards a better system.