By Syeda R. Noshin ICNA CSJ Intern Science has long since identified melanin as the source of differences in skin, hair, and eye color between people, confirming that it has no relation to intellect, capability, or anything inherent about a person’s personality (1). And yet, society still refuses to relinquish its white-knuckled grip on the idea that assumptions can be …
Poverty in America: Why Can’t We End It?
Source: NY Times By Peter Edelman RONALD REAGAN famously said, “We fought a war on poverty and poverty won.” With 46 million Americans — 15 percent of the population — now counted as poor, it’s tempting to think he may have been right. Look a little deeper and the temptation grows. The lowest percentage in poverty since we started counting …
Five Ways Individuals Can Help Fight Poverty
Source: Borgen Magazine By AUDREY GRACE There have been hundreds of theories created on how to end global poverty, but most of them call upon a large group of people to make the change. While some of these theories have worked, most have not. It is important that individuals know that they have the power to end poverty on their own time, and are just …
The Top 10 Solutions to Cut Poverty and Grow the Middle Class
Source: Center for American Progress By Rebecca Vallas and Melissa Boteach The Census Bureau released its annual income, poverty, and health insurance report yesterday, revealing that four years into the economic recovery, there has been some progress in the poverty rate as it fell from 15 percent in 2012 to 14.5 percent in 2013, but there was no statistically significant improvement in the …
Islamic Perspective on Working Together
Dr. Zahid Bukhari presents the Islamic perspective on Muslims working with other faith groups and also the next level of partnership for social justice issues. The talk was given at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, VA in October of 2017. Dr. Bukhari is introduced by Rameez Abid, Communications Director, ICNA Council for Social Justice.
Six Main Causes Of Poverty In The World
Source: Richmond Vale Academy Poverty is a social condition that is characterized by the lack of resources necessary for basic survival or necessary to meet a certain minimum level of living standards expected for the place where one lives. The income level that determines poverty is different from place to place, so social scientists believe that it is best defined by …
Puerto Rico: The Forgotten U.S. Citizens. White House & Congress Must Do More
The Forgotten American Citizens Hurricane Maria has tremendously devastated Puerto Rico. The natural disaster did more than destroy Puerto Rico’s electric grid and water supply. It has destroyed the Puerto Rican economy. Pharmaceutical factories, the island’s main source of jobs and income, are either closed or partially operating. Many small businesses were destroyed, and those that weren’t are struggling without …
Oppose Trump’s Budget Cuts on the Poor & Hungry
THE ISSUE One of the key lessons from Ramadan is that we empathize with the poor and hungry. It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the most generous in the month of Ramadan. This blessed month reminds us of the situation of those who have less than us and gives us a short input into their daily battle …
Minimum Wage Mythbusters
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Myth: Raising the minimum wage will only benefit teens. Not true: The typical minimum wage worker is not a high school student earning weekend pocket money. In fact, 89 percent of those who would benefit from a federal minimum wage increase to $12 per hour are age 20 or older, and 56 percent are women. …
Justice Department Says Poor Can’t Be Held When They Can’t Afford Bail
Source: NBC News Holding defendants in jail because they can’t afford to make bail is unconstitutional, the Justice Department said in a court filing late Thursday — the first time the government has taken such a position before a federal appeals court. It’s the latest step by the Obama administration in encouraging state courts to move away from imposing fixed …