Calavita cited statistics indicating 1 percent of America today has more wealth than 95 percent of Americans combined. An example is Bill Gates, whose personal net worth exceeds that of the bottom 45 percent of all Americans, she said. She named the U.S. legal system as one reason King's dream has not been fully realized. The Constitution promises only a formal political equality, she explained. The focus must be on economic justice.
Economic inequality drives other forms of inequality.
One way is to go after corporations, she said, citing a recent UC decision to require fair working conditions and wages for workers in companies producing products with the UC logo . Economic divides have created gaps within the Asian-American community as well, she said. She noted, however, that the MLK holiday provides people an opportunity to reflect on what has been accomplished, and to visualize how greater changes can be achieved. I would not be here without the civil rights movement, the political struggles. This holiday affords us a sense of possibility.