Born on Third Base Blog Post

In the United States, wealth inequality is a significant problem that is causing economic and ecological injustice as well as racial division. As a result, Chuck Collins, a one percenter, gave away his $500,000 trust fund to charity because he wanted to help reduce the wealth inequality gap and the problems that arise from this phenomenon. Chuck donated his entire inheritance solely based on the belief that his wealth could be used more efficiently to help promote and solve issues that are important to him such as the environment, racial equality, and peace. In my opinion, Chuck is a risk-taker who has well-defined goals and pursues his passion of promoting social good, which are attributes of his that I admire.

All Americans regardless of their socioeconomic status should read Born on Third Base because they can benefit from the invaluable insight that Chuck Collins provides. Chuck, a well-off white American, emphasizes how a lack of justice and a widening wealth inequality gap makes the lives of everyone worse off. According to Collins, "each day that inequalities deepen, so do hopelessness, deprivation, and the injuries of poverty. We must intervene in this system powerfully and urgently" (Collins, Page 133). His vision for an equitable world encourages the notion of shared success rather than the pursuit of individualistic self-interest to unite both rich and poor Americans for an improved state of economic justice in the long-run.

Born on Third Base has broadened my perspective and provided me with a new understanding of the relationship between wealth, inequality and social issues. I am intrigued to learn more about the solutions that Chuck Collins will provide to help me understand how I can help end the socioeconomic class war and rebuild communities that were damaged as a result of wealth inequality.

Works Cited
Collins, Chuck. Born on Third Base: a One Percenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality, Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to the Common Good. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2016.