Values and Moral Tension
Sometimes the things we claim to value most as a society look very different when we follow where our money and policies actually go. I want to explore a few stories that might not seem related at first, but together they paint a picture of the moral gaps we’re living with—and what we might do about them.
Example 1: The million-dollar coach and the price of inaction
I recently heard about a college football coach who was fired and walked away with a $53 million payout. He’s not working, but he’s set for life. On the flip side, just down the road in parts of Los Angeles, children are being trafficked in broad daylight, and there’s barely enough funding to put a single officer on the beat. It makes you wonder: how do we justify that kind of disparity?
Example 2: The street where children are lost
In a 50-block stretch along Figueroa Street, prostitution has run rampant, and some of those trapped in it are as young as 11. As someone who works with girls who’ve lived in group homes, this hits close to home. It’s hard not to be outraged when we can lavish millions on sports figures while turning a blind eye to children being exploited a few miles away.
Example 3: The hunger we choose to ignore
We have the means to feed people who are struggling. It’s not a matter of scarcity; it’s often a matter of will. When a government shutdown threatens food benefits, we’re reminded that the decision not to help isn’t because we can’t—it’s because we’ve decided who “deserves” help. And yet, many of our moral and spiritual traditions speak of grace: unmerited, unearned favor we all rely on.
Conclusion: Re-envisioning what we accept as normal
When these issues come up, we hear familiar refrains. With college football, it’s “that’s what the market bears” or “other coaches get big buyouts.” With trafficking, it’s “we can’t add police because they’ll target marginalized groups” or “it’s not as bad as people say.” With hunger, it’s “people should earn it.” But we can acknowledge that markets exist and still question whether we’re okay with this status quo, especially when we see what else is being neglected. We can respect and protect transgender individuals and other marginalized communities while also protecting children from exploitation. We can hold more than one value at once.
And on shutdowns, maybe the point isn’t which party is to blame—but why shutdowns are even possible. Most working Americans can’t simply stop doing their jobs without consequences. Why do we accept it in our government? Why not make shutdowns illegal and require continuous funding mechanisms that protect essential services?
Overcoming these obstacles starts with challenging the knee-jerk explanations we’ve learned to accept. Even if we’ve been told, “It’s not that bad” or “That’s just how it is,” we can pause and ask, “Is that good enough?” Because even one child being trafficked is one too many. Let’s look at the data, have the hard conversations, and align our actions with the values we say we hold.
Question for readers
What is one “that’s just how it is” explanation you’re willing to challenge this week—and one concrete action you’ll take in response?
