If You See Something That Needs to be Done, Just Do It

I was recently given the high honor of being recognized with the International Freedom Conductor Award by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. I was honored alongside Isabel Wilkerson, Toni Morrison, posthumously, and Lonnie Bunch. I follow in the footsteps of those who have received this honor, including Rosa Parks, Bishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama. While hardly feeling worthy of being in the company of these men and women, receiving this leads me to speak out at this moment. I could do so deeply fearing what is happening within our national government. The usurpation by the Executive Branch of the power of the purse assigned to Congress, the usurping by the Executive Branch of the powers to launch attacks that should be assigned to Congress. I could go on. However, I have come to see that is not what I really can focus on. I can focus on those few things within my own circle of influence that I can make a difference in, the individuals and the organizations. And those my wife believed in—the YWCA, Women Helping Women, the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. I follow in the footsteps of my late wife, Francie, as she once said: “When you see something that needs to be done, just do it, and bring other people along with you. That’s important, bring other people along with you. Just do it, don’t stand back.” We cannot stand back. We must all do what we can to make the world at least a bit better place, to make at least a bit of a positive difference in someone else’s lives.