Equality, Even If Just for Selfish Reasons

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am a business writer, not a social philosopher. I'm aware you can easily find dozens of outstanding, enlightening essays on this day, in which the United States of America celebrates the life of one of its greatest leaders, the writer, preacher, Nobel Laureate, and conscience of a nation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. I wouldn't pretend to write as masterfully as some of those essays.

But I would like you know that I am taking today off from work, out of respect for the man whose death came just a year after my birth. A man who peacefully railed against out our nation's deepest injustice and thus allowed us to shed it and become better as a people. America is a more moral place because of the life of this mahatma, this great soul.

And I would like to share an idea that the rest of the essayists will not likely mention today: any society that forcibly holds down one portion of its population sets itself at a severe disadvantage. To oppress a minority is to harm the entire society. Morally, yes, absolutely. But also merely in sheer economic terms - which is to say that even the meanest-spirited of leaders should actively work toward equal opportunity for all; yes, for purely selfish national interests.

When women are denied education or employment, that society is removing one-half of its population from helping elevate the economy. It's like fighting with one arm tied tightly behind one's back: who could possibly win such a fight? Oppressing a religious or ethnic or racial minority (or even a majority), as many societies still do today: it's a losing proposition.

This is not an appeal to our better angels, and so I suppose not very worthy of such an important day. But a lot of this blog is an effort to show how doing the right thing pays. Here is yet another example, in my argument against prejudice and oppression.

It isn't savvy to hold others down. It's foolish. And who would choose to be a fool?