Since we’re all so sick of the political news and, especially, what it dredges-up about some of the worst aspects of human behavior, here’s a great story about something different. Something much more positive—that all of us can practice every day to make the community around us better. And we don’t need politicians to be involved!
The story involves students at Georgetown University in Washington. See the entire story: http://www.startribune.com/at-georgetown-students-meet-heroes/400051631/ It’s a good antidote to the political news today.
One student noticed that there were dozens of nameless, unknown people who worked around the campus. Janitors, cooks, cleaners, lawn services, parking lot attendants, etc. The student had never talked to any of them or even “seen” them while they all did their jobs. Most other students didn’t see them either, the students being tied to their smart phones and unable to look up for even a second to see the man stopping traffic so the students could cross the street safely.
But Fabin Bellamy, the one student who did notice the workers, did something different—something that any one of us could do today. He started by nodding at the man who dusted the study area at school. That led to a “hello” which led to a conversation. Soon, Bellamy became friends with the janitor and was amazed at the older man’s story. Bellamy was so impressed by the janitor’s desire to start a chicken restaurant, Bellamy started a Facebook campaign called “Unsung Heroes.” Soon, Bellamy found many other fascinating stories from the other service people on campus. He added them to the list of Unsung Heroes.
In spite of the political news which encourages all of us to give-up because “things are so bad,” other students joined the campaign and, together, they raised money to help the janitor get his restaurant started. Another campaign raised enough money to pay for the check-out clerk’s trip back to Africa to see his family—after 45 years.
I think about all the people I pass during the day—the people serving coffee, cleaning hallways, picking-up trash, cleaning bathrooms, and realized how much I ignore them. After a while, I don’t even “see” them. If I were to talk with them, what would I learn? What may I do to help them in some way? Would it make their day better to have people recognize the work they’re doing and appreciate it?
At a time when we’re all consumed by the political news and the problems in the country, by what we think we’re not getting, by the national sports team’s ups and downs, it’s important to remember these “unsung heroes.” It’s an example of something we can to do counter-act the bad news. Something positive and good for our community.
