“The time is always right to do what is right.”
~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I’m deviating from my normal topics to share some personal thoughts.
In a recent email to one of my best friends, John, I wrote: “Wow, Big Stud! It feels like the 1960s again, but different. Deeper. Of all the concerning stories about COVID and other challenges, no story brought me to tears until the racism one in which the Nike CEO said, ‘Just don’t do it. …’”
John, a black man, has been one of my best friends for 40 years. The rest of the email after some context …
In this moment, I’m filled with contradictory emotions, including sadness, fear and disgust — but also joy, hope, inspiration and exhilaration.
Why am I sad, scared and disgusted? There seems to be a deeply concerning confluence of politics, health, the economy and racial injustice — creating a polarization of fear and anger resulting in a level of chaos this country hasn’t experienced since the 1960s. Here’s the triad creating the “perfect” chaotic and polarizing storm:
- Our current government administration
- The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crash
- Racial injustice
Back to John. Our relationship began in 1980 when we became housemates and BFFs. (I can’t believe I’m using that term — it makes me feel so 16 years old!) I was best man at his wedding to a white woman nicknamed Muffy. She was like my golden retriever, Pal — nothing but love and goodness. John and I have been there for each other for 40 years — through my divorce, his sobriety, and Muffy developing early onset Alzheimer’s and dying young.
John was an activist who hit the streets in violent protest when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. I revered Dr. King, because he was a nonviolent change agent. I relate to this and have adopted one of his values to live by: “The time is always right to do what is right.” It guides my every word, thought and action (I’m not close to perfect at living it, but do strive to be).
Here’s my entire email to John:
“Wow, Big Stud! It feels like the 1960s again, but different. Deeper. Of all the concerning stories about COVID and other challenges, no story brought me to tears until the racism one in which the Nike CEO said, ‘Just don’t do it. …’
The depth of the statement from Nike’s CEO somehow brought home how big and deep the race issue is still in this country (sorry, I feel very unaware). In the 60’s one of the most influential business leaders in the country would not have made such a strong and potentially polarizing statement.”
So why am I feeling joyous, hopeful, inspired and exhilarated? For a few reasons. Political correctness is being replaced by values-driven statements and actions, from at least some business leaders. This is different. It’s good. There’s hope.” Business leaders have a powerful voice in our society and it’s great to see some of them take a stand because as Dr. King says, “The time is right to do what is right!”
Here’s the article in which Nike CEO John Donahoe says: “For once, just don’t do it. Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism.”
There are many reasons to feel joyous, hopeful, inspired and exhilarated, despite all the chaos in addition to some leaders taking a stand. There’s birth and growth, and we as a species change and evolve (albeit with struggle and pain). It’s interesting that, as I write this article, a baby robin flew/fell out of the nest and landed on my windowsill, clinging to my screen with desperation in his eyes.
After a struggle, he made it safely to the ground and then took his first real flight into the tree outside my office window. What a huge adventure and success for this little babe.
Now I’m watching his mom bring him worms. A mother’s unconditional love — is there anything purer, more beautiful? The world is still filled with beauty and goodness amid the negativity and chaos.
I had many other things on my agenda this morning, none of which was to write this article or watch a baby bird’s emergence from dependence to the beginning of independence. But I was inspired. Feeling joyful.
If you support our constitution, which says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” then it’s time to think, act and speak up in accordance with our constitution.
It’s constitutionally and morally the right thing. And as Dr. King said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
This article originally appeared on www.TCNorth.com
