Letter to the editor: Living wages close gaps in system

I was disappointed by The Daily's editorial board's stance on the Living Wage Campaign and must respond.  First, I second LWC in noting that the "logic" of the board's argument seems to reflect the free-market rationale pushed by politicians and economists since the 1980s, whose strong hold on the American psyche has further marginalized those at the bottom. The U.S. is experiencing incredible economic inequity; largely a result of dog-eat-dog "logic" that as a nation we apparently bought hook, line and sinker and seem to be paying for now.  The editorial echoes this ideology, implying that workers should pull themselves up by their bootstraps with continuing education rather than wage increases.  These are the same workers, according to the editorial, that likely have "private income" (second jobs?) and receive child tax credits.  

While educational benefits should certainly be available to employees, suggesting that parents who clean, cook and plant tulips around NU will benefit more from night classes than from a pay-increase is elitist.  Furthermore, firings do not necessarily accompany wage-increases.  

I agree with the board, of course, that workers should have library and shuttle access, but does that mean they shouldn't be paid adequately?  No.  If the board feels a Living Wage is wrong for Northwestern, I beg they offer less-perfunctory alternatives.  From where I'm sitting, Living Wage is the best option for bettering the standards of living of the people who keep campus pretty, keep dorms and dining halls running and do the dirty work around here.  Lets make a statement, as an academic community, that we won't let our own fall through the gaps in a laissez-faire system.  

—Ella Wilhoit

PhD student, Anthropology