Today, our country officially honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an occasion which carries perhaps more poignancy than some previous years given the recent events at our nation’s capital. Looking back upon the past year, it strikes me that we all might want to take time to reflect upon the meaning of Dr. King’s life and what it is he died for. One of Dr. King’s many brilliant insights seems quite relevant at this particular time:
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.”
There is much work to be done in our country and in our community to bring more of the light that Dr. King refers to. Here at the Y, there is a focus on that light in so many ways. The food distribution effort which sprang up seemingly overnight last March has now become an integral part of our ongoing work. In fact, the first of what will undoubtedly be many food pantries is about to be opened at the Y in Druid Hill. There has been much light brought to bear to the thousands of children and families supported by our many youth development programs, some of them operating virtually, others in person, and all of them delivered with incredible care and meaningful personal engagement, meeting kids where they are right now. At the same time, associates in our Y family centers have warmly and sensitively helped people of all ages regain a sense of balance, health and connectedness in a time when all of those things are sorely needed. The list goes on and on and extends to every corner of our Y.
Under the best of circumstances this work is not easy. It’s doubly hard now when so many of our own associates are dealing with personal and family challenges related to the pandemic, while still pushing forward as best they can every day in service of others.
I’ll close today’s Monday Mission Update with another one of Dr. King’s wise insights:
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
It’s clear to me that, in the midst of so much, my Y colleagues are rising most impressively.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland