posted by Claudia Horwitz, July 21, 2009
I know Henry Louis Gates did not deserve the abuse and assumptions that greeted him on his doorstep. I know that Gates’ work will only be strengthened by this “regrettable” incident.” And I know Gates showed the Cambridge cop his ID during his arrest and harassment this week. I know because he showed it to me once, over 15 years ago, without my even asking.
I had arrived in Harvard Square one late morning, early for an interview with the Echoing Green Foundation. I’d flown up from North Carolina that day and I was hungry, so I do what hungry people used to do in Harvard Square – saddled up to the counter at the Tasty Diner. The Tasty defined hole-in-the-wall; it was the size of a postage stamp, with only one short counter that held less than 10 seats. And it was comfort food at its best, perfect for pre-interview jitters.
Shortly after I settled in on my seat, I was joined by a slight, distinguished-looking man, not exactly what some might expect at the Tasty if you didn’t know the Tasty. He looked familiar but I couldn’t place him. We started chatting and he was convinced that he knew what I was going to order. I thought it was a bold statement and happily bet him a dollar that he wouldn’t guess. I was on the honor system. I took another moment to peruse the menu above the stove and confirmed to my lunch companion that I’d made my decision.
“BLT,” he said with confidence. I almost got whiplash as I turned to face him. How did he know? I never order BLTs but today, in fact, that’s precisely what I’d decided to have. I told him as much. And sighed.
“I owe you a dollar,” I said.
“No,” he replied. “I want you to give that dollar to someone who really needs it.” I promised him I would.
We continued talking. Eyeing my suitcase, he asked me what I was doing in town and I told him about the interview, which led to more questions about my activism, my aspirations for the future, and finally my family and their support of my path. At that stage I wasn’t convinced that my parents really saw the value of what I was doing with my life. My new friend assured me they would come around and that I needed to keep nurturing the relationship.
Finally, it was my turn. “So, do you work over there at the big “H?” I asked, referring to Harvard University. He said that he did. I asked him if he was a professor and he said yes, again. I asked him what he taught and he told me. I got curious. I figured I should know this guy, so I asked him his name.
And he told me, “Henry Louis Gates.”
“You’re not Skip Gates,” I said, using his nickname. I was serious – he looked way too young for the image in my head – and he was quite amused. Rather than argue, he reached into his pants, pulled out his wallet and promptly showed me his Harvard ID. I just shook my head in shame while he threw his head back with laughter. I wanted to buy him lunch as an apology but he wouldn’t hear of it.
It's this moment - and a million more like it - that defines the measure of a man. But what is it that defines the soul of a nation? That's a whole other question.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Transformational Leadership Awards
Jesse and I were awarded one of six "Transformational Leadership Awards" by the Seasons Fund for Social Transformation. The Seasons Fund chose to honor six leadership teams who are defining this emerging field of social transformation and developing new models of leadership itself. Each team received $30,000.
We are excited to share this honor with 5 other groups, some of whom are long-time friends and collaborators:
*Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice
*Rockwood Leadership Institute
It was real good to connect with our friends Akaya Windwood and Robert Gass from Rockwood
And Mike Edwards, long-time friend and supporter of stone circles from his previous post at the Ford Foundation and my mom (even longer-time friend...!)
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