In 2009, slightly over 1 billion people throughout the world suffered from the scourge of hunger, one-sixth of all humanity. At the same time, 40% of the food in America is going uneaten. That statistic is the equivalent of throwing away $165 billion worth of food every year. In the face of these lamentable facts Donald H. Dunson, a pastor and author of No Room at the Table: Earth's Most Vulnerable Children and James A. Dunson, assistant professor of philosophy at Xavier University in New Orleans, challenge us to become citizens of the world.
One writes from a theological perspective while the other from a philosophical one. They both would have us focus more of our attention and prayers on the dire straits of people around the world. In a time when so many poor people are starving, dying from lack of water or toxic water supplies, and living on the streets, we must act in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters. What does it mean to be a citizen of this world? It means that we are to act from our hearts and to square off against the principalities and the powers which try to divert our attention from those who have not gotten their fair share of the pie.
In a chapter titled "What( in the world) Is to be Done?" Dunson and Dunson give examples of the kind of moral imagination needed in order to combat these scourges. Citizen of the World helps dispel the helplessness we feel in face of global poverty, hunger, and homelessness.
