Julie Clawson, Tom Sine, and Christine Sine, Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of our Daily Choices. IVP Books, 2009.
Referenced in: Social Ministry Strategies
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Christians who live privileged, wealthy lifestyles can feel quite distanced from social need. Because of this, many feel no passion at all about the subject. It’s “out of sight, out of mind.” Others whose consciences are awakened feel overwhelmed, either by guilt or the magnitude of the problem, and do not know where to start. That’s what this text provides, a start, for those who want to make a difference. It is a practical, down-to-earth discussion of ideas for day-to-day living that brings social responsibility to the forefront.
Clawson tackles seven areas experienced by the typical suburbanite: coffee, chocolate, cars, food, clothes, waste, and debt. In these discussions, she lifts up issues such as fair trade, modern-day slavery, eating ethically, coming to grips with the human stories behind the products we use, etc. Her material is eye-opening, and her suggestions on how change begins with individuals and groups are excellent.
Clawson does a fine job revealing the indirect ways that many of us unwittingly participate in injustice. She would not intend, nor should readers assume, that following these suggestions is enough. Those who read this text will want to do more in directly addressing social justice issues (see this section). But none will want to do any less.
From the Publisher
Where does your chocolate come from? Does it matter if your coffee is fair trade or not? Or whether my jeans were made by a twelve-year-old? It matters – more than you might think.
Julie Clawson takes us on a tour of everyday life and shows how our ordinary lifestyle choices have big implications for justice around the world. She unpacks how we get our food and clothing and shows us the surprising costs of consumer waste.
Living justly is an overwhelming task these days. It’s daunting, and we’re tempted toward apathy. That’s why Julie Clawson has done us such a service in writing Everyday Justice – in readable, compelling prose, she lays out the truth behind some of the products we use every day, and she gives us practical steps for living justly in a consumeristic age. She avoids guilt trips and writes personally. This book is needed and deserves a wide readership.
How we live can make a difference not only for our own health but also for the well-being of people across the globe. The more sustainable our lifestyle, the more just our world will be.
Everyday justice is one way of loving our neighbors. We can live more ethically, through the little and big decisions we make every day. Here’s how.
About the Author
Julie Clawson (M.A., intercultural studies, Wheaton College Graduate School) is a writer, blogger, and moderator of the Emerging Women and Emerging Parents blogs. She has been a church planter and copastor of Via Christus Community Church in Yorkville, Illinois. She and her family live in Austin, Texas.
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Related Areas
See Other Resources on Social Ministry Strategies:
See Other Resource Guides on Christian Social Ministry:
- Social Ministry, Introduction
- Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry
- Spirituality for Ministry of Social Compassion and Justice
- Strategies For Christian Social Ministry
- Perspectives and Strategies For Social Ministry Among the Urban Poor, Urban Ministry
- Christian Perspectives on Political Theory and Church-State Relations
- Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy
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