Jack Levine of 4Generations Institute

{sidebar id=1}I’m eager to share an awe-inspiring experience I had this past weekend.  As an alumnus of Leadership Florida, a diverse statewide network dedicated to improving citizen commitments to community, I attended our 25th anniversary celebration.  We were treated to a series of speakers who provided a tremendous level of inspiration. What a line-up!

Tom Brokaw, the esteemed television journalist and author, shared his insights into the nation’s history and our collective civic life.  Among his most salient points was the value of knowing our past - individual, family and cultural - to better understand where we are going.  Brokaw’s heralded book The Greatest Generation gave so many gifts to readers by introducing us to the lives of those who experienced the Great Depression, fought valiantly and victoriously in WWII, and returned home to become educated, raise families, and build an economic engine.

Despite the challenges of racial inequality, and the specter of East vs. West nuclear conflict, Brokaw believes that one of the keys to our nation’s power in the post-war years was not only in the size of our bombers, but in the investment we made in our brains.  He was resolute in asserting that the more we understand the sacrifices made by our grandparents, both immigrant and native born, to pave a path on which their children can walk, the better we will make decisions about future generations.

Bob Graham, one of Florida’s and the nation’s true public servants, moved us to understand how our civic life is imperiled by a dangerous trend to de-emphasize public service and minimize access to political science education.  Graham’s illustrious 40-plus years in public office provides a beacon of leadership, illuminating the essential role elected officials have in developing consensus to create positive change.  His belief in the value of citizenship led him to launch an exciting initiative, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and University of Miami, which will serve to attract scholarly activity for igniting a new level of civic leadership.

As Graham said, “We don’t inherit civic participation….it must be refreshed in each generation. We do have the right to raise our voices, run for office, and support others whose mission is to improve our community, states, nation and world.  But more than a right, civic activity is a responsibility.  We owe our children and grandchildren a future better than our own, but that can’t happen by intention, it can only happen with action.”

Our closing speaker was General Colin Powell, soldier and statesman, whose illustrious career gives testimony to the fact that humble beginnings do not dictate limited horizons.  Born in Harlem and raised in the South Bronx, Powell’s immigrant parents worked in the garment district, providing the family the basics with no room for luxury.  Powell reminisced about the watchful role his aunts and other elders played in keeping their eyes on the children.  “You all know about the Internet…..In the Bronx we had the Aunt-Net, the fastest and most powerful communications system ever invested.  If any one of us kids did something wrong, the news spread like lightning…..and action was swift and sure.”

General Powell provided us glimpses of the complications in negotiating peace when some parties are intent on waging war.  While he did not emphasize the history of any one conflict, he asserted that the real global challenges are economic and educational.  He believes that threats come from desperate people who resort to violence when the doors to economic opportunity, cultural integrity, and freedom of self-expression are locked.

While world diplomacy is certainly one level of needed attention, the now-retired Colin Powell and his wife, Alma, are dedicated to lifting up the prospects of success for youth through America’s Promise and its affiliated network of youth mentoring organizations.  “Young people need something to believe in and have someone who believes in them,” he reminded us.  He cited the horrific state of affairs for too many children who are without the hope they need to see a bright future.  “If today is as far as you see, then there’s no such thing as education or investment, just raw survival.”

I give you these brief impressions of the articulate dictums of these three great American voices of reason and responsibility because I believe deeply in the importance of learning to lead.  All three of these “senior citizens”, each one born in the Depression years prior to our nation’s entry into WW II, have so much to impart about the meaning of shared sacrifice and sustained courage in the face of adversity.

While the journalist, elected official, and soldier/statesman view our place in the world through different lenses, their shared vision is one which demands increased investment in our knowledge of history, a renewed energy for involvement in civic life, and a powerful commitment to giving youth the tools they need to not only survive, but to succeed in a changing world.

I hope this reflection is valuable to you, and you will choose thank those who share their wisdom with us, give us the inspiration to improve, and provide passionate leadership in trying times.

I value the opportunity to share occasional advocacy messages which inspire those whose work is dedicated to the betterment of families and communities.

Wishing you and yours a joyous July!

- Jack Levine

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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