Cynicism Kills

Gladys Knight & the Pips at White House last nite. What a privilege to rise to this level from an obscure, poor black family. America is a land of opportunities.

Yet, what of the many who must grapple with the perceived probability that even their lesser dreams may never materialize? What then? Is the rest of one's life simply a long period of waiting to die?

New goals must emerge. When goals become tangible, the heart is infused with power to pursue. We rise up for "occasions."

Sept. 29, 1997

The great enemy is cynicism, an acid that burns the fledgling seeds of new hope. If hope is permitted to thrive, cynicism can be contained.

Cynicism has been compared to a cancer which needs to be rooted out. Like a cancer, cynicism in its advanced stages will kill you.

To use yet another metaphor, "When people give up hope, cynicism is the charred remains left behind."

Today cynicism is pervasive. Among America's working class, the message is "Why work hard when there is no hope of anything coming of it?" This attitude undercuts the necessary motivation required to improve our lot. Our labors can make a difference, if we believe and have hope.

There are too many who have the attitude, "How little can I do and still get by?" People who change the world are those who roll up their sleeves and say, "Yes, I am willing to do whatever it takes. If I don't make it a better world, my children will."